Martha’s rule must be rolled out to maternity care, urges mother of teenager who died of sepsis

The NHS in England will roll out Martha’s rule across all acute hospitals to give patients and families access to a rapid review if they are worried about a condition getting worse (Mills/Laity family photograph/PA) - (Family handout)

Martha’s rule, an NHS safety initiative which allows families and patients to seek a rapid second opinion on their hospital care, should also be rolled out across maternity care in the UK, the founder of the scheme has said.

Merope Mills said the availability of Martha’s rule in maternity care would give women and their partners concerned about the care they were receiving a “greater voice”.