Parental intuition is a stronger predictor of critical illness in children than standard vital signs, according to a new study that bolsters the case for Martha’s rule, a policy being piloted by NHS England that grants families the right to an urgent second opinion.
Researchers from Monash University in Melbourne analysed nearly 190,000 emergency hospital visits involving children. They found that when parents expressed concern about their child's condition, the child was four times more likely to require intensive care. This association was stronger than that of abnormal vital signs such as heart rate, breathing, or blood pressure.
The study, published in The Lancet's journal on Child and Adolescent Health, revealed that in almost one in five cases (19.3%) parental concern flagged deterioration before vital signs did. Lead author Dr Erin Mills stated: 'If a parent said they were worried, their child was around four times more likely to require intensive care. That’s a signal we can’t afford to ignore.'
The findings come in the wake of the tragic death of 13-year-old Martha Mills in 2021, who developed sepsis after a bike accident. Her parents’ repeated concerns were dismissed by doctors. A coroner ruled she would likely have survived if warnings had been heeded. Her mother, Merope Mills, a Guardian editor, and father Paul Laity, campaigned for Martha’s rule, now piloted in NHS hospitals.
Dr Mills added: 'Parents are not visitors – they are part of the care team. We want every hospital to recognise that and give parents permission, and power, to speak up.' The research supports the view that parental concern should be integrated into clinical decision-making to improve patient safety.
