Martha’s Rule

Last updated: Thursday 24 July 2025

You know yourself or your loved one better than anyone. If you are staying in hospital and worried about a health condition getting worse, talk to us. 

Patient safety is a high priority at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals. 

Martha's Rule is a national patient safety initiative that helps us to spot unexpected signs of deterioration and support you if you are worried about yours or your loved one's condition. 

What does this mean for you and your family? 

When you are in hospital, our teams will ask you at least daily how you are feeling and if you have noticed any changes in your condition. 

We know that sometimes you or your loved ones can see that something is wrong before the healthcare team does. No one knows your health needs or those of your loved one better than you and your family. 

What to do if you are worried 

Step one: If you feel that your condition or the condition of a loved one is getting worse, you should speak to the ward nurse and healthcare team. 

You can also speak to the ward manager or nurse in charge.

Step two: If you still feel worried or feel that your concerns have not been addressed, you can request a rapid review through our Call for Concern service. 

Your call will go to a different team in the hospital, who specialise in the care of critically ill patients. 

How to contact Call for Concern

The Call for Concern service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Warrington adult wards: 07876 248369

Halton adult wards: 07345 428739

If you are d/Deaf, you can use the Relay UK assistant service.

When the team receive your call, they will need to know: 

  • the patient’s name
  • the ward they are on
  • a brief description of the problem or your worries 

What happens next? 

The team will be able to provide advice and assess how best to help you, this may include visiting you on the ward to discuss your concerns.

The team will work with you, the medical team, and other healthcare professionals to arrange any further review or treatment needed.

Sometimes, the team may be unable to take your call immediately.

If you can, please leave a message providing the same information as above and a contact number.

Someone from the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Martha Mills and Martha's Rule

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.

 

You can read more about this on the NHS England website: NHS England » Martha’s Rule

Difference between Martha's Rule and a second opinion

Martha's Rule allows patients staying in hospital and their families to seek a rapid review if they think their condition, or the condition of a loved one is getting worse. 

A second opinion is when you would like to see another consultant to discuss any diagnosis or treatment.

What Martha's Rule isn't for

Martha's Rule is a patient safety initiative. To report problems regarding your hospital bed, room, food, parking or any other general issues please speak to your nurse or the ward manager.

You can also contact the matron to discuss any issues further.

Alternative ways to raise or give feedback

If you need to report problems that aren’t related to a patients’ condition, please speak to your nurse or the ward manager. This could include your hospital bed, room, food, parking, or any other general issues.

You can also contact the matron to discuss any issues.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service

Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can provide patients, relatives and carers using with support and information about our services and any concerns.

PALS is open Monday to Friday between 9am to 4pm.

•    Telephone 01925 275512
•    Email whh.pals@nhs.net  
•    Or ask a member of staff to contact them to visit you on the ward

Visit the Patient Advice and Liaison Service page for more information.

Giving feedback 

Every patient visiting our hospital wards, emergency departments, maternity services, outpatients, and day case departments is able to give feedback on the quality of the care they have received.

The feedback also provides us with a better understanding of the needs of our patients and visitors and enables us to continually improve the care we give.

Find out how you can share your feedback with us.