About Martha
Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike. Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha, aged 13, would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.
What is Martha’s Rule?
We are introducing Martha’s Rule across our sites to help spot signs of deterioration early. This is done by recognising patients (or their families and carers) know themselves best and may have important knowledge that we have not yet identified. You may notice small changes before they show up in our routine measurements and these changes could be early warning signs of deterioration.
Martha’s Rule allows you to escalate your concerns about deterioration, if you are not being listened to.
What to expect
The NCA has a dedicated HELPline (Helping to Empower Loved ones and Patients) service which allows you to escalate concerns regarding deterioration to a senior member of our nursing team who will liaise with the medical teams to support any changes that may be needed.
If you are concerned about deterioration
Step 1 – Alert the ward/department nursing team so that they can address your concerns. Please ask to speak to the person in charge of the unit or ward manager.
Step 2 – If after speaking to the ward/department staff you still have concerns or do not feel you have been listened to regarding patient care and deterioration please contact our dedicated HELPline service (Helping to Empower Loved ones and Patients) on the below number and a senior nurse will review your concerns. This service is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
- Oldham HELPline 07970 199 258
- Salford HELPline 07718 863 376
- Bury HELPline 0161 624 0420
- Rochdale HELPline 0161 624 0420
How we monitor patients
While someone is in hospital, we regularly check their vital signs and other important health measurements. As part of Martha’s Rule, we are in the process of introducing a Patient Wellness Assessment across our inpatient ward areas. We will ask you or your loved one if you are feeling better or worse, at least once a day. This will help us to identify patients that are having unexpected changes or are deteriorating.