'Martha’s rule’ to be introduced in NHS hospitals after funding agreed

Following our article last year outlining Health Secretary, Steve Barclay’s, announcement that the Government was committed to introducing ‘Martha’s rule’, we are pleased to learn that it will be introduced in NHS Hospitals from April 2024.

Approximately 100 hospitals will initially be entitled to participate in the scheme, which will give patients and their families, in England, the legal right to request a second medical opinion from a dedicated critical care team whilst in an NHS hospital.

Participating hospitals will receive government funding to produce literature for patients and their families outlining the new process entitling them to ask a team of critical care medics for a ‘rapid review’ of treatment. The team will include a senior doctor and nurse from another team within the hospital who will review the patient and formally record observations of the patient’s condition.

Hopefully, the Government will continue with its plans to roll out additional funding so that ‘Martha’s rule’ can be introduced in all NHS hospitals in England, which could save many lives in the future.

Further details of ‘Martha’s Rule’ are set out in our article titled: Hope for patients as NHS England plan to introduce ‘Martha’s rule’