Families of young patients can demand second opinion

Parents and carers of young patients can now get a second opinion if they feel their worsening condition is not being addressed at a major city hospital.

Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital has implemented Call for Concern as part of Martha's Rule, an initiative to ensure concerns of patients and their families and friends are listened to.

Merope Mills campaigned for Martha's Rule after her daughter died from sepsis in London in 2021. An inquest found 13-year-old Martha could have survived with better care.

Patients and their loved ones can phone a dedicated Call for Concern number, which will escalate concerns and lead to an urgent clinical review.

The scheme has been rolled out across NHS England. The first wave of hospitals signed up during the pilot year from April 2024 to March 2025.

At New Cross Hospital, it has already been brought in across adult inpatient wards, and now children's acute services have done the same.

Kirsty Lewis, senior matron for acute children's services at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said staff worked hard to ensure families understood care and treatment decisions and that healthcare teams clearly communicated with people.

She said: "Having a poorly child in hospital is an incredibly difficult time for their loved ones, which we appreciate and understand, but we want people to feel comfortable about asking questions and raising their concerns."

Ms Lewis said that Martha's Rule Call for Concern now gave families additional reassurance.

"We are committed to implementing this important initiative that has been borne out of tragedy. If we can collectively do things better, this is a fitting legacy for Martha," she said.

The dedicated number operates around the clock for people who feel they are not being listened to but is not for general concerns that ward staff can address.

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