Martha's Rule - Pilot
Enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.
Are you worried you or your loved one is getting more unwell?
Do you feel your concerns are not being heard?
Introduction
Martha’s Rule is a major patient safety initiative providing patients and families with a way to seek an urgent review if their or their loved one’s condition deteriorates and they are concerned this is not being responded to. Martha’s Rule will help improve both the quality and safety of care for patients whose condition is worsening.
Better identification and management of deterioration is one of NHS England’s key priorities in improving patient safety. In May 2024 NHS England announced the implementation of Martha’s Rule across 143 pilot sites across the country.
Barnsley was chosen as a site to pilot Martha’s rule. This initiative will empower patients, families, carers and staff to ensure that their concerns are listened to and acted upon. It will also empower staff to have the ability to raise concerns outside of official escalation channels, and to ask for additional support if it’s required.
What we’re doing at Barnsley
At the Trust we have commissioned a pilot which is currently in a ‘testing phase’ to refine our approach to Martha’s Rule. The pilot is being implemented step-by step into some ward areas.
Martha's Rule currently applies to adult inpatient areas, but the Trust is working on a project to introduce it in pediatric ward areas, which will be implemented when appropriate.
What you need to know
If you are worried that you or your loved one is getting more unwell and feel your concerns aren’t being heard you need to read through these six steps to decide if you need to call the acute response team.
What you can expect
Posters and leaflets are available in the ward areas that are currently included the pilot, the leaflets and posters give information and the phone number 01226 431609 to support patients, their relatives or advocates to ring, or have someone ring on their behalf for an urgent review.
Please note, Martha’s Rule is not for general complaints or concerns.
If you have a general complaint, please contact our Patient Advice and Complaints team.
Below, we have broken down 'Martha' into an acronym of key actions that you need to follow in that order, before calling the Acute Response Team for an urgent review