A man died after I didn't speak up, and I still feel guilty about it, says DR SCURR. But second opinions aren't enough to save lives - it's the culture of hospitals that has to change

A man died after I didn't speak up, and I still feel guilty about it, says DR SCURR. But second opinions aren't enough to save lives - it's the culture of hospitals that has to change By Dr Martin Scurr Published: 16:55, 27 May 2024 | Updated: 17:41, 27 May 2024 e-mail View comments The tragic death of 13-year-old Martha Mills following poor, possibly negligent care at a major London hospital brought back bitter memories of the death of one of my own patients. It also confirmed for me why, sadly, the plan to introduce Martha’s rule — which would give every patient in hospital the right to a second opinion from other experts at the same hospital — won’t help.

In February, the Government announced that hospitals in England were to be offered funding to roll out the rule. Already 143 have signed up, it was reported today, and should be operating the scheme by 2025. Martha’s parents have been heroic in their efforts to try to spare others the awful, needless loss of a loved one .

Martha's rule follows the tragic death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, who died after developing sepsis in 2021 under the care of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in South London But Martha’s rule, while laudable, cannot, I am afraid, do one thing that’s vital to its success: and that is to change our hospital culture . I don’t mean just that people are afraid to speak up, to challenge the hierarchy of senior doctors, for that is still an issue (although it is improving, slowly)..