The NHS is extending Martha's Rule to all hospital A&E departments in England, giving patients and their families the ability to challenge decisions about their care. The nationwide rollout begins now and is expected to be completed by March 2028.
Named after Martha Mills
The policy is named after 13-year-old Martha Mills, who died at King's College Hospital in Southeast London in 2021 after developing sepsis, or blood poisoning. Her parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, said their concerns about her deteriorating condition were repeatedly dismissed.
The bereaved parents have worked over the last five years to introduce the rule, which follows successful trials at seven NHS trusts. The policy is already being implemented across inpatient wards.
How Martha's Rule works
Martha's Rule will allow patients, loved ones and staff at A&E units across England to call a dedicated phone number and trigger an urgent wellbeing review, provided the patient's health is deteriorating and they feel their concerns are not being listened to.
During an eight-month pilot, 69 calls were made to Martha's Rule phone numbers, with some patients going on to have urgent surgery or being transferred to intensive care, NHS England said.
Officials back the expansion
Professor Aidan Fowler, national director of patient safety at NHS England, said the tool would be "essential" for care. He said: "A&Es see some of our most vulnerable patients, so the ability to raise concerns about deterioration quickly and trigger a rapid review of care is essential."
Health minister Baroness Merron said: "Martha's Rule is about making sure patients and their loved ones are heard when they raise concerns about their care."
Hospitals are also expected to extend Martha's Rule to maternity and neonatal units by March 2028. The latest figures for July 2026 show the highest-ever monthly total of calls made via Martha's Rule, with 1,678 placed that month alone.
