Martha’s Rule to be extended to EDs in England

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

By Jane Kirby, PA Media

Martha’s Rule is to be extended to emergency departments in England in a phased rollout to be completed by March 2028.

The rule, which was brought in after the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, gives formalised, 24/7 access to an urgent review and is advertised throughout hospitals.

Martha developed sepsis while under the care of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in south London in 2021, with a coroner ruling she would have survived if medics had transferred her to intensive care earlier.

Her parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, have said their concerns about her deteriorating condition were repeatedly dismissed.

Under the new plan, the NHS will extend Martha’s Rule, which is already being rolled out across all inpatient wards.

It means patients, loved ones and staff in busy EDs will be able to call a dedicated phone number to trigger an urgent review if a patient’s condition is deteriorating and they think their concerns are not being listened to.