What is Martha's Rule and how do I use it?

Advice and Information - 18 December 2024

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.

What is Martha's Rule?

The patient safety initiative is designed to ensure that inpatients and their families have the right to be heard and that any concerns about a rapidly worsening health condition are listened to and acted on.

Through Martha’s Rule, you are empowered to take action if you feel that your condition, or that of a loved one, is rapidly worsening, which is something called deterioration. 

What Hospitals Have Martha's Rule?

143 hospitals across England currently have Martha's Rule, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University Hospital Lewisham.

How do I use Martha's Rule at Queen Elizabeth Hospital or University Hospital Lewisham?

If you are concerned your or your loved one's condition is getting worse, speak to the team of Doctors, Nurses and Healthcare Support Workers on your ward.

However, if your concerns are not being addressed, you can call a dedicated number and raise your worries with a member of the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Critical Care Outreach Team.

It’s based on three Rs that help you to remember what you can do as a patient and what they will do if you call them:

  1. Recognise: Notice any worrying changes in condition, such as increased breathing rate, changes in confusion, unusual behaviour, or physical symptoms like not eating or drinking
  2. Request: If you notice these changes, please speak to the ward team first. If this doesn’t help, request a rapid review from the critical care outreach team. You can do this by calling the Martha’s Rule number. This can be done at any time, day or night.
  3. Review: Once you call the Martha’s Rule number for a rapid review, a Critical Care Outreach Practitioner will ask for some key information. They will need to know the patient’s name and ward location, as well as your immediate concern. They will then assess the situation and take any necessary action.

Martha's Rule Helpline:

University Hospital Lewisham: 07899 115 243

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich: 07350 425 289

 

Original article published on: Martha's Rule | Lewisham and Greenwich

You might also be interested in

NHS to roll out ‘Martha’s Rule’

The head of the NHS on 21st February announced the rollout of ‘Martha’s Rule’ in hospitals across England from April, enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.
News