About Martha’s Rule

The NHS is introducing Martha’s Rule to help spot any unexpected signs of deterioration early and give you the right to request a rapid review if you’re worried that your or your loved one’s condition is getting worse. It is currently being piloted across 143 hospital sites.

You can find out more about the pilot on our main Martha’s Rule webpage, including the story of Martha Mills.

Information materials

We have produced Martha’s Rule leaflets and posters to explain to patients, families and carers:

• The important role you play in telling staff if you are worried about a health condition getting worse – this can help staff detect deterioration early to prevent more serious health problems
• How to call for a rapid review from a different team if you remain worried and feel your concerns are not being addressed.

Accessible formats and other languages for patients

Accessible and translated versions of our information leaflets will be added here soon.

Communications toolkit for healthcare organisations

Healthcare organisations can access a full range of Martha’s Rule communications assets on the Department of Health and Social Care’s Campaign Resource Centre.

Download our leaflets

Our information leaflets will soon be available in the following accessible formats:

• Easy Read
• Word document
• British Sign Language

Our information leaflets will be available in the following languages:

• English
• Polish (Polski)
• Romanian (Română)
• Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ)
• Urdu (اردو)
• Portuguese (Português)
• Spanish (Español)
• Arabic (العربية)
• Bengali (বাংলা)
• Gujarati (ગુજરાતી)
• Simplified Chinese – 简体中文

Martha’s story

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.