Wellness rounds across two Black Country hospitals that have implemented the Martha’s Rule initiative have helped reduce numbers of deteriorating patients and will be highlighted next week at a visit by national experts from NHS England.

Martha Mills, who would have been 18 years old yesterday (Thursday 4 September) 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 the 13 year old, would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

In response to this and other cases related to the management of clinical deterioration, the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England committed to implement Martha’s Rule across the NHS.

Martha’s Rule Call for Concern was launched by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust on 4 November, across all adult inpatient areas at Walsall Manor Hospital, followed by Paediatrics on 31 July.

At The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, it was introduced as a pilot at New Cross Hospital for step down patients discharged from the Integrated Critical Care Unit, before being rolled out across all adult inpatient areas in March this year, along with Paediatrics.

Martha’s Rule Call for Concern means parents and carers of patients, or the patient themselves, will be able to get an independent review if they feel any concerns they may have about their loved ones’ deteriorating condition are not being listened to.

Lisa Carroll and Debra Hickman, Chief Nursing Officers for Walsall and Wolverhampton respectively, said: “Our thought are with Martha’s parents Merope Mills and Paul Laity today as they reflect on the loss of Martha who should have been starting her next chapter as an adult and celebrating her milestone birthday. But we hope they can take comfort from the fact that the campaign in her memory is bringing about significant change and helping so many patients and their families across the country.

“We’re proud of the work we’re doing in Walsall and Wolverhampton to really embed Martha’s Rule. The pilot wellness rounds where patients are asked, at least daily, how they are feeling, and if they are getting better or worse, with the information acted on in a structured way and speedily, is reducing deteriorating patient numbers. And staff on the pilot wards – whether in a clinical or non-clinical role – have really adopted the approach.

“We are looking forward to sharing our approach with national NHSE colleagues next Tuesday when they visit us, before going to Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital to hear more about its innovative implementation.”

NHSE has announced that Martha’s Rule is now available in every acute hospital in England, with data showing 241 potentially life-saving interventions were triggered.