Martha's Rule: families secure right to second opinion

The UK government will announce 24/7 access to a “rapid review” of a patient's hospital care for families and carers later this month under Martha’s Rule, according to the Telegraph. The recommendation follows a campaign by the parents of Martha Mills, who died in 2021 shortly before her 14th birthday when she developed sepsis after a bike accident. An inquest found Martha would likely have survived if doctors at King’s College Hospital in London had transferred her sooner to intensive care. Last year, then-health secretary Steve Barclay said ministers were “committed” to implementing the measure and the case for it was “compelling”. Dr Henrietta Hughes, the patient safety commissioner, was asked by Barclay to submit recommendations on how Martha’s Rule could work in UK hospitals. She made three proposals, including that all staff, patients, families, carers and advocates have round-the-clock access to a rapid review from a “critical care outreach team” – effectively to an expert second opinion. It’s understood Victoria Atkins, the current health secretary, could publish her conclusions on the recommendations as soon as this month. Merope Mills, Martha’s mother, told Tortoise: “I’m looking forward to an announcement on this in the coming weeks”.