Martha's Rule Saves Over 400 Lives in NHS England Since 2024 Launch
Official figures have revealed that Martha's Rule, a system enabling NHS patients to request a review of their care, may have saved more than 400 lives since its introduction in England in 2024. The data, seen exclusively by the Guardian, shows that helplines received over 10,000 calls in the first 16 months of the scheme, leading to thousands of patients receiving life-saving interventions such as transfers to intensive care or essential medications.
A Legacy Born from Tragedy
The rule is named after Martha Mills, a 13-year-old who died from sepsis in 2021 following a bicycle accident. A coroner concluded that she would probably have survived if she had been moved to the intensive care unit at King's College Hospital in London when her condition began to deteriorate. Her parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, campaigned tirelessly after her death, which would have marked her 18th birthday last September, leading to the implementation of this patient safety initiative.
Impact of the Helpline Calls
Between September 2024 and December 2025, Martha's Rule helplines received 10,119 calls from patients, relatives, or staff expressing concerns about care. This resulted in 446 people receiving improvements to their treatment that potentially saved their lives. Key outcomes from the calls include:
- 3,457 calls (one in three) identified a rapid worsening of a patient's condition, enabling quicker alarms and crucial interventions.
- 1,885 patients had their treatment changed as a direct result of these alerts.
- Approximately 6,000 calls addressed clinical, communication, or coordination issues, leading to meaningful improvements in care or healthcare navigation for families.
Transforming NHS Culture
Martha's Rule is now operational in every acute hospital in England, granting patients, loved ones, and NHS staff the right to request a different medical team to assess care and recommend changes. Patients have 24/7 access to a critical care team of doctors and nurses specializing in deteriorating conditions, who can promptly evaluate situations.
Aidan Fowler, NHS England's director of patient safety, stated, "Martha's rule is already helping to save lives and transform the culture of the NHS. These figures show that Merope and Paul's tireless campaigning and the hard work of staff are helping the NHS listen to families more effectively and shows that when concerns are raised, hospital teams are ready to respond."
Political and Family Responses
Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised the Mills and Laity family for turning "unimaginable grief" into "lasting change." He emphasized, "Martha's rule is making sure the NHS listens to patients and their families when it matters most, with each call potentially resulting in a life-saving intervention. I am determined that Martha's legacy continues to grow through pilots in maternity wards. This is all part of our plan to make sure that patient safety is at the very heart of the NHS."
Merope Mills, a senior editor at the Guardian, commented, "The more data that is gathered, the clearer it becomes that Martha's rule is having a hugely positive effect. Apart from the lives saved, over a third of the calls have led to a marked improvement in care. The process is not being overused and has obviously met a need, giving patients and families real agency. We look forward to its thorough implementation in maternity departments and call for its rapid introduction in Wales and Scotland."
This initiative underscores a significant shift towards enhanced patient safety and responsiveness within the NHS, driven by a family's advocacy and systemic reforms.
