Martha’s Rule at NNUH
The Martha’s Rule escalation service replaces the previous Call for Concern service.
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital currently run Martha’s Rule telephone escalation service in all Adult and Paediatric Inpatient areas.
This service provides at 24-hour telephone number whereby patients, or their significant others, including relatives, carers and advocates can access support should they feel that they, or their love one, are deteriorating.
What is Martha’s Rule?
We have introduced Martha’s Rule to help spot any unexpected signs of deterioration early and give you the right to request a rapid review if you’re worried that you, or your love one’s, condition is getting worse.
To help us detect the early signs of deterioration, please tell us if you are worried about:
- Changes in temperature – hot or cold to the touch
- Worsening pain
- Any changes to the skin (e.g. rash)
- Low energy, drowsy or sleepy
- Levels of hydration
- Changes in breathing
- New confusion
- Anything else that worries you
Telling our staff about these changes can help us to detect deterioration early so we can take action to prevent more serious health problems.
When to make a Martha’s Rule call?
- First, speak to the team caring for you or your loved one
- If, after speaking to the care team, you remain worried and feel your concerns are not being addressed, you can access the Martha’s Rule service by calling:
01603 288249
Your call will go to through to a different team in our hospital who specialise in the care of critically ill patients. They will work with you and the care team to arrange any treatment needed or further review. The team will provide a rapid review where there is concern a patient is deteriorating.
When we receive your call we will need to know:
- The patient’s name
- The ward they are on
- The reason for your call
- Your relationship to the patient
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sometimes, if we are with another patient, we are unable to take your call immediately, but you can leave a voice message providing the same information above and a contact number and we will aim to get back to your as soon as possible.