Martha’s rule may have saved 400 lives so far in England, figures show | NHS

More than 400 lives may have been saved through Martha’s rule, a National Health Service program allowing patients to request a review of their care, according to official figures. The initiative, launched in England in 2024, has received over 10,000 calls in its first 16 months, leading to critical interventions for thousands of patients.

Martha’s Rule: A Response to Tragedy

The system is named after Martha Mills, 13, who died in 2021 from sepsis following a bicycle accident. A coroner determined she likely would have survived had she been moved to intensive care at King’s College Hospital in London sooner when her condition began to deteriorate.

Between September 2024 and December 2025, Martha’s rule helplines received 10,119 calls from patients, relatives, or staff concerned about care. This resulted in 446 patients receiving improvements to their care that potentially saved their lives.

Approximately one-third of calls (3,457) identified a rapid worsening of a patient’s condition, enabling quicker alarms and crucial interventions. As a result, 1,885 patients experienced changes to their treatment plans, according to NHS England data.

An additional 6,000 calls addressed clinical, communication, or coordination concerns, leading to “meaningful improvements” in care and navigation of the healthcare system for patients and their families, health officials stated.

Campaigning for Change

The initiative stems from the advocacy of Martha’s parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, who shared their daughter’s story and pressured politicians and NHS officials for change. Mills, a senior editor, noted that the growing data demonstrates a “hugely positive effect” of Martha’s rule, with over a third of calls resulting in marked improvements in care.

Martha’s rule is currently available in every acute hospital in England. The scheme provides patients, loved ones, and NHS staff the right to request a review of care by a different medical team, who can recommend changes.

Patients have 24/7 access to a critical care team of doctors and nurses who specialize in deteriorating patients and can assess situations promptly.

Aidan Fowler, NHS England’s director of patient safety, said the rule is “already helping to save lives and transform the culture of the NHS.” Health Secretary Wes Streeting added that Mills and Laity had turned “unimaginable grief” into “lasting change.”

Streeting stated that Martha’s rule ensures the NHS listens to patients and families, potentially leading to life-saving interventions. Plans are underway to expand the program to maternity wards, with calls for its introduction in Wales and Scotland.