Martha’s rule to be rolled out in 143 NHS hospitals in England

Initiative will enable urgent second opinion and review of care of patients whose condition is deteriorating

Martha's rule, the patient safety initiative enabling those whose health is failing to obtain an urgent second opinion about their care, is to be rolled out in 143 hospitals in England, the NHS has said.

The move, described by NHS officials as one of the most important changes to patient care in years, will allow patients, relatives and staff to get a review of their condition and treatment directly from doctors and nurses not involved in the medical team treating them.