A MAJOR rule change to allow patients a right to second medical opinion to be tested and rolled out in 143 hospitals. Named after teenage Martha Mills, who died of sepsis despite her parents' pleas that she wasn't receiving the necessary care, the rule will see give patients and their families access to a rapid review if they are worried about their condition. NHS England pledged to introduce 'Martha's Rule' to at least 100 hospitals in February.
But it announced today that 143 sites will roll out the rule change by March 2025 - surpassing the initial target - following "significant interest" from hospitals across the country. The purpose of Martha’s Rule is to provide "a consistent and understandable way for patients and families to seek an urgent review if their or their loved one’s condition deteriorates and they are concerned this is not being responded to", NHSE said. It's now working with Martha’s parents to develop materials to advertise and explain the initiative in hospitals across the country, so patients, their families and staff know when to call for a second opinion .
Martha Mills, 13 , died from sepsis in 2021 after medics at King’s College Hospital, London, failed to boost her intensive care despite her parents raising concerns about her rapidly deteriorating condition. Her parents Merope Mills and Paul Laity said: "We are pleased that the roll-out of Martha's Rule is off to a flying start and that the need for it has been so widely recognised. “It wi.
