Martha’s Rule logo
You know yourself or your loved one better than anyone. If you’re worried about a health condition getting worse, talk to us.
What is Martha’s Rule?
We are introducing Martha’s Rule to help spot any early signs of your or your loved one’s condition getting worse. You may notice small changes before they show up in our routine checks. These changes could be early warning signs of deterioration.
We will be starting this service on Monday 27th October 2025.
This will only apply to acute adult in-patient wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary. Our other sites, such as St. Luke’s and Westwood Park, are not included at this stage.
Martha’s Rule means you can ask for a rapid review from a different team in our hospital, who specialise in the care of critically ill patients. The service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, before anything else, please talk to the doctors and nurses on your ward about your concerns. It’s important to bring up your worries with them first because they can start any needed treatment. If you still feel worried or like you haven’t been heard, you can ask for help from our specialist team.
How we monitor patients
An illustration of our patient wellness questions
While someone is in hospital, we regularly check their vital signs and other important health measurements. The frequency of these checks will depend on the patient’s individual condition and needs. Sometimes we may need to wake patients to do these checks.
As part of Martha’s Rule, we have introduced Patient Wellness Questions into our routine checks. We will ask you or your loved one if you are feeling better or worse, at least once a day. This is to monitor and to act upon any changes in condition. We aim to introduce this on to all acute wards at BRI, by 31st December 2025.
Our commitment
We will regularly ask for your views and take your concerns seriously. We see you as a partner in the care we are providing and want you to raise any worries and concerns you may have.
Difference between Martha’s Rule and second opinion
Martha’s Rule allows hospital in-patients and their families to seek a rapid review if their condition, or the condition of a loved one, is deteriorating.
A second opinion is when you would like to see another consultant to discuss any diagnosis or treatment.
The NHS is rolling out ‘Martha’s Rule’
Martha Mills
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.