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Worcestershire Hospitals Launch Martha's Rule for Patient Safety
22 Apr
Summary
- Patients and families gain more power to request a second medical opinion.
- Worcestershire's 'Call For Concern' is the first step in Martha's Rule.
- A dedicated phone line will allow rapid reviews for worried relatives.
Worcestershire hospitals are set to introduce Martha's Rule, a national initiative designed to give patients and their families greater power to request a second medical opinion. This change follows the tragic death of 13-year-old Martha Mills from sepsis in 2021, after her family's concerns about her deteriorating condition were reportedly overlooked.
The Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will launch its 'Call For Concern' scheme as the initial phase of Martha's Rule. This new system aims to streamline the process for individuals to obtain a rapid review if they are worried about a patient's worsening state.
A dedicated phone line will be established at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester within the coming weeks. This service will allow anyone concerned about a patient's care to report their worries if they feel ward staff have not adequately addressed them.
Dr. Ed Mitchell, the trust's deputy chief medical officer, stated that the goal of Martha's Rule is to simplify obtaining a rapid review for patients whose condition is deteriorating. Chief nursing officer Hayley Flavell described the program's launch as "really positive."
