East Surrey Hospital Introduces New Patient Review System for Deteriorating Conditions

In-patients at East Surrey Hospital are now able to request an urgent assessment from a critical care team should they perceive their deteriorating health condition is not being adequately managed. This measure, known as Call for Concern, has been put in place by the hospital as part of Martha’s Rule, an initiative designed to guarantee that the concerns raised by patients, their families, and friends receive attention. Individuals admitted to the hospital and their relatives have the option to contact a direct telephone number or request the operator to connect them with the Call for Concern team. This team will then assess the patient, communicate with the existing clinical staff, and undertake any required interventions. Currently, this service is accessible to adult patients admitted to in-patient wards, with plans for its expansion to encompass all patients at the hospital during the upcoming year. Dr. Kofi Nimako, who serves as the clinical lead for this project, stated: “We know that friends and family can often see a patient’s deterioration before anyone else does. They will know what signs to look out for and can often spot when something is out of the ordinary. Our critical care outreach will act as the ‘fresh set of eyes’, working with ward teams to escalate appropriately and support patients and their family.” The advocacy for Martha’s Rule was led by Merope Mills, following the death of her daughter from sepsis in 2021. An official inquiry determined that 13-year-old Martha’s life might have been saved with improved medical attention. Under the provisions of Martha’s Rule, NHS personnel will also be empowered to reach out to the critical care team regarding patient concerns. Furthermore, medical professionals will be required to formally document daily observations and health information pertaining to a patient, gathered directly from the patient or their family members. Earlier this year, East Surrey Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital were selected to conduct the initial phase of Martha’s Rule, a phase scheduled for completion by March. For updates, follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Story submissions can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available for review.