Martha's Rule Has Saved Over 500 Lives Since 2024, New Modelling Shows

Martha's Rule, embedded in every acute hospital in England as of September 2025, may have saved more than 500 lives since its 2024 introduction, according to modelling cited by The Guardian in May 2026. The policy gives NHS patients and families the right to request independent clinical review when they believe deteriorating conditions are being overlooked. The estimate rose from 400 lives in March 2026, reflecting the system's expanding reach across trusts.