Martha’s rule now in operation at every acute hospital in England

Family, marking what would have been Martha’s 18th birthday, welcomes adoption of system that gives patients right to request care review

Martha’s rule, which lets NHS patients request a review of their care, is now in operation in every acute hospital in England, health service bosses disclosed on Thursday.

The system has helped hundreds of people receive potentially life-saving improvements to their treatment since its introduction began last year. It has led directly to patients being moved to intensive care or receiving drugs they needed, such as antibiotics, or benefiting from other vital interventions.