NHS Confederation responds to 'Martha's Rule' roll out announcement

Responding to NHS England’s announcement that ‘Martha’s Rule’ will be rolled out in hospitals from April Rory Deighton, director of the NHS Confederation’s Acute Network, said:

“NHS leaders support the introduction of new ways to enhance patient care, improve patient safety and save lives and will welcome the roll out of 'Martha’s Rule'. It is right for the NHS to learn lessons from cases such as these and to take steps to try to prevent avoidable deaths.

“There are already places across the country that have introduced similar policies. These trusts have seen a fall in complaints as well as only a small proportion of patients feeling it necessary to escalate issues.

“Questions remain about what resources hospitals and other providers will be given to deliver the new scheme if it is later expanded across all acute hospitals. Introducing a 24/7 clinical review process will have implementation costs and leaders will be concerned if they are just being expected to provide the additional service without any extra resources. 

“But this roll out is part of an important shift where the NHS is looking to change the relationship between the NHS, clinicians, patients and their families. The future model of care is one where patients and their families are active partners in healthy communities, not just consumers of NHS services.”