A 24/7 service which allows people to request a rapid review if they have concerns about a patient’s condition will soon be available across Hull, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Goole and Castle Hill hospitals.
NHS Humber Health Partnership (NHS HHP) is launching the Detecting Deterioration service as part of ‘Martha’s Rule’. Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital in London, 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 would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.
In response to this and other cases related to the management of deterioration, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England committed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’ in the NHS nationally; to ensure the vitally important concerns of the patient and those who know the patient best are listened to and acted upon.
A pilot began last year at 143 sites and now it’s being rolled out across the rest of the country. It’s currently being piloted on eight wards across NHS HHP.
From this week though, Patient Wellness Questionnaires will be rolled out across all adult inpatient wards. This is where patients are asked by staff at least once a day as to how they are feeling and how they are feeling compared to yesterday – with patients able to respond on a sliding scale from ‘very good’ to ‘very poor’ and ‘much better’ to ‘much worse’.
Under the initiative anyone worried about a patient who is staying on a hospital ward will be able to make direct contact with a dedicated team who will give urgent help and advice. Whether they are a patient themselves, a family member, friend or carer. Staff are also being encouraged to use the service.
Dr Kate Wood, Group Chief Medical Officer, said: “We would always encourage people to raise their concerns with the team caring for the patient the first instance. However, if you feel there has been a significant change in a patient’s condition and, after discussion with the ward team, you feel your concerns have not been addressed or it is still not clear what the plan is for the patient, then please use Martha’s Rule.”
Calls will be taken by the Critical Care Outreach Team who may provide advice over the telephone in the first instance, or visit the ward to discuss and assess the situation. This could include prescribing antibiotics, oxygen or other treatments.
It’s important to note that this is for raising urgent concerns about the condition of a patient. General queries and concerns, for instance about general patient care, appointments, food and car parking, should be directed to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.
Read more about Martha’s Rule on the NHS England website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/marthas-rule/
