Martha’s rule is being expanded to every accident and emergency department in England, giving NHS patients, their relatives and health workers the right to request a second opinion on care.
Health officials announced that the system, which lets patients and families ask for a different medical team to review inpatient care and recommend changes, will now be available across all A&E departments following earlier pilot implementation.
KEY FACTS
- Martha’s rule gives patients, loved ones and health workers the right to ask for a second opinion on care.
- The system allows requesting a different medical team to examine care on inpatient wards and recommend changes.
- Martha’s rule is being expanded to every A&E in England.
- Official figures show Martha’s rule has potentially saved hundreds of lives.
- Health officials announced the expansion.
The Story
What happens next?
Under the expanded rollout, patients, relatives and staff in any A&E department in England will be able to trigger a care review if they believe a second opinion could improve treatment. The reviews are conducted by a separate medical team, which assesses the care plan and recommends any necessary changes.
This follows earlier implementation on inpatient wards, where the scheme has already been credited with potentially saving hundreds of lives according to official figures. Health officials say that extending the system to emergency departments aims to bring the same safety net to people who may be at risk while waiting for hospital admission or during urgent assessments.
Who is affected?
The expansion affects anyone accessing an A&E department in England, whether as a patient, relative or health worker. Patients and their loved ones gain a formal mechanism to challenge decisions they feel are unhelpful, while staff receive a structured process for escalating concerns about care quality.
Prior to this change, the system operated only on inpatient wards, limiting its reach to people already admitted to hospital. By moving into emergency departments, the rule now covers people earlier in their journey through the NHS, including those who have not yet been admitted but may be unwell or at risk.
How did we get here?
Martha’s rule originated as a response to concerns about patient safety and the difficulty of obtaining independent clinical reviews within the NHS. It was first introduced on inpatient wards, allowing patients, relatives and health workers to request reassessment of care by a different team.
Following reported positive outcomes, including potentially saving hundreds of lives according to official figures, health officials announced the system would be extended to all A&E departments across England, broadening access to second opinions in urgent-care settings.
WHAT WE KNOW — AND WHAT WE DON’T
Verified by the source:
- Martha’s rule gives patients, relatives and health workers the right to request a second opinion on NHS care.
- The system allows a different medical team to review care and recommend changes.
- The expansion covers every A&E department in England.
- Official figures suggest the scheme has potentially saved hundreds of lives.
- Health officials announced the expansion.
Still unconfirmed:
- Exact start date for implementation in all A&E departments.
- Criteria or process for requesting a review in emergency settings.
- Number of patients who have used the rule since its introduction.
- Details of training or oversight provided to review teams.
WHY IT MATTERS
This change places patient and family concerns at the centre of NHS decision-making in emergency care, potentially improving safety for some of the most vulnerable people in the health system.
WHAT TO WATCH
Further details on how reviews will be conducted in A&E departments and the timeline for full rollout are expected from health officials.
Martha’s rule gives patients, relatives and health workers the right to ask for a second opinion on NHS care, now extended to every A&E in England.