In September 2024, we introduced a new patient safety service at the Trust called ‘Martha’s Rule’.

Martha’s Rule is a national patient safety initiative, which gives patients and families access to an urgent review from our Critical Care Outreach Team if they are worried that the inpatient’s condition is getting worse.

The Princess Royal University Hospital and King’s College Hospital have been selected as two of the first 143 hospitals in England to implement Martha’s Rule as part of the first phase of the programme.

What does this mean in practice?

Inpatients and/or their relatives can call 020 3299 8400 for immediate help and advice if they are worried the inpatient’s condition is getting worse.

When we receive your call we will need to know:

• the inpatient’s name
• the name of the ward
• a brief description of your concern
• your relationship to the inpatient and contact details

All telephone calls to this number will be assessed and, where appropriate, a doctor or nurse from our Critical Care Outreach Team will visit the patient on the ward to ensure they are receiving the suitable treatment and support.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and applies to adult inpatients only at the Princess Royal University Hospital and to adult and paediatric inpatients at King’s College Hospital, with the exception of the Maternity wards at the Princess Royal University Hospital and King’s College Hospital.

Additional information

Who are the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT)?

The CCOT are a team of doctors and nurses specialising in the care of very unwell patients, and patients recovering from critical illness.

The CCOT are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When to make a call if you are concerned

Inpatients and their families and friends should call 020 3299 8400 if there is a noticeable change in the inpatient’s health.

We encourage you to first speak with the ward nurse or doctor. If, following this, you have ongoing concerns, you can contact the CCOT.

Difference between Martha’s Rule and second opinion

Martha’s Rule allows hospital inpatients and their families to seek an urgent review if their condition, or the condition of a loved one, is deteriorating.

A second opinion is when you would like to see another consultant to discuss any diagnosis or treatment. Find out more about asking for a second opinion.

Martha Mills and Martha’s Rule

Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis whilst being treated at our King’s College Hospital site, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike.

During her stay, Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

In response to this, campaigning from Martha’s parents, and other cases related to the management of deterioration, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England agreed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’, which is designed to ensure the vitally important concerns of patients, and those who know the patient best, are listened to and acted upon.