Martha's Rule Awareness for unpaid carers
Martha’s rule is an important NHS patient safety initiative that aims to ensure patients, families and carers are listened to when they are worried that someone's condition is deteriorating in hospital.
Martha's Rule gives patients, relatives and unpaid carers a way to request a rapid clinical review and a second opinion if they believe concerns about a patient's worsening condition are not being recognised or acted upon. You can find out more here: NHS England – Martha's Rule
NHS England has confirmed that all acute NHS trusts are now working towards implementing Martha's Rule, with full rollout expected across acute inpatient services during 2026/27.
Hospitals and Martha’s rule current status:
Hammersmith & Fulham / RBKC
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (including Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital and St Mary's Hospital) – Piloting Martha's Rule, with its "Call for Concern" service forming part of the pilot. More information: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – Call for Concern (Martha's Rule).
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital) – Implemented, with a dedicated 24/7 Martha's Rule escalation service for patients, relatives and carers. More information: Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust – Martha's Rule.
Westminster
- St Mary's Hospital (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust) – Piloting Martha's Rule as part of the Trust-wide implementation. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – Call for Concern (Martha's Rule).
This is a useful resource to be aware of for advocacy to health care providers during hospital admissions should you have concerns about someone you are caring for deteriorating.
