The NHS has announced this week that hospitals in England will be offered funding from April 2024 to introduce “Martha’s Rule”.
Martha’s Rule is a new system, backed by the Government, giving seriously ill patients easy access to a second opinion if their condition worsens, see our previous blog.
At least 100 hospitals will initially be able to apply to participate in the Martha’s Rule scheme.
Martha’s rule
The new rule came about following the death of a 13-year-old patient from sepsis. Her family had raised their concerns with doctors about her deterioration but felt they had been ignored.
An inquest found that, with better care, the patient could have survived.
Her family went on to tirelessly campaign for a new rule to allow patients and their families to request a second opinion.
Whilst patients already have the right to a second opinion if their condition deteriorates, NHS Trusts operate different systems.
It was therefore recognised that a change had to be made.
Rapid review of care
The new scheme will enable hospitals to publicise using leaflets and posters that patients and their families can directly ask a team of critical care medics for a “rapid review” of treatment.
Reviews would be conducted by a senior doctor or nurse from elsewhere in the hospital, who specialises in the care of patients who are deteriorating.
It will also be a requirement that medics must record families’ observations of a patient’s condition or behaviour.
Chief Executive of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard, said:
“NHS teams have been piloting ways to better identify and respond in these cases, over the last year, and the rollout of a national programme to give patients and families 24-7 access to a rapid clinical review will now help ensure that those experiencing acute deterioration can be identified and treated much more quickly. Whilst the need for escalation will hopefully only be needed in a small number of cases, I have no doubt that the introduction of Martha’s rule has the potential to save many lives in the future.”
The scheme will be rolled out across England in a step-by-step approach and will be reviewed over the next year. This may be followed by further funding to include all acute hospitals. Proposals are also being considered to adapt it in community hospitals and mental health trusts.
Comment
Any initiative that has the potential to save lives has to be a positive step in the right direction.
It is excellent news to see how this initiative has grown in traction since the original campaign, received backing, and is now coming to fruition.
When a medical condition deteriorates, time is of the essence, and it is reassuring to see that this is being acknowledged by the roll out of the new early warning system.
This new system will ensure that there are plentiful opportunities to spot clinical signs of deterioration and act on them as soon as possible.
Further than this, it finally gives a voice to families and carers and seeks to acknowledge that they should be heard when it comes to the care of their loved ones.
How can we help?
Danielle Young is a Legal Director in our Medical Negligence team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500.
If you have any questions about the subjects discussed in this article, please contact Danielle or another team member in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
Contact us