Overview
- NHS England released first‑18‑month figures showing 12,301 calls to Martha’s Rule helplines, which let patients, families, or staff request a rapid independent review when they fear a patient is getting worse.
- Of all calls, 4,047 involved acute deterioration and led to 2,310 changes in care, including 524 patients moved to higher levels of care such as intensive or specialist units.
- Hospital staff made 1,781 calls and almost two thirds of those, about 1,080, helped identify patients whose condition was worsening and needed faster action.
- An NIHR interim survey found only 32% of the public had heard of the process, with awareness much higher among people with more education and concerns that older people, those without family support, and people facing language or literacy barriers may struggle to use it.
- The programme started at 143 pilot sites and is now being rolled out to all acute adult and children’s inpatient services in England, with officials planning more staff training, hospital posters, public campaigns, and a full national evaluation.