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1h ago

Martha’s Rule Now Active at All 210 Acute Hospitals in England

Created after a coroner found earlier intensive care might have saved 13-year-old Martha Mills, the 24/7 escalation route gives patients and families a direct path to a rapid review by a separate clinical team.

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Overview

  • NHS England confirmed nationwide coverage following expansion from 143 sites last year to all 210 acute inpatient hospitals.
  • From September 2024 to June 2025, helplines logged 4,906 escalation calls from patients, relatives or staff.
  • Those calls led to 241 people receiving improvements to their care that may have saved their lives.
  • Data show 71.9% of calls came from families, with 720 prompting changes in care, 794 addressing clinical concerns, and 1,030 improving communication or discharge plans.
  • NHS leaders described the policy as transformative, and the health secretary praised Martha Mills’s parents for a legacy focused on patient safety.