A young people’s project to improve patient safety
About the project
Martha’s Rule is a national patient safety initiative designed to ensure that patients, families and carers have a stronger voice when concerns arise about a patient’s condition. It gives patients and their loved ones a clear route to request an urgent review if they feel a patient’s condition is deteriorating and their concerns are not being heard. Martha’s Rule is intended to strengthen communication, support earlier recognition of deterioration and help create safer care for everyone.
This project was developed through a unique partnership involving young people from the Dudley Young Health Champions programme, colleagues from NHS organisations, patient safety leaders and creative professionals. Together, they created ‘The Story of Martha’s Rule’ an engaging animated film designed to help patients, families, healthcare staff and communities understand the importance of speaking up when they are worried about a patient’s condition.
The film was co-produced with young people and launched at King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, celebrating the creativity, commitment and insight of the Dudley Young Health Champions who played a leading role in its development. The resulting resources are intended for use across healthcare, education and community settings to improve awareness of Martha’s Rule and support patient safety conversations.
Why this matters
Every day, patients and families notice important changes that may not immediately be visible through routine observations or clinical tests. Martha’s Rule recognises the value of these concerns and creates clear routes for action when people are worried.
The initiative encourages organisations and healthcare professionals to:
- Listen to patient, family and staff concerns.
- Recognise early signs of deterioration.
- Act promptly when concerns are raised.
- Empower patients and families to speak up.
- Foster a culture of openness and partnership.
About the film
The Story of Martha’s Rule tells the story of why Martha’s Rule was introduced and how it can help save lives. The film has been designed to:
- Raise awareness of Martha’s Rule.
- Support staff education and training.
- Encourage patients and families to speak up.
- Promote understanding of patient deterioration.
- Provide a resource that can be adapted and shared across organisations.
The film is available in multiple formats suitable for presentations, websites, social media and training environments.
Resources for partner organisations
Partners are welcome to use and share the resources below to support patient safety education and awareness activities.
When using these resources, please retain any associated credits and acknowledge the contribution of the Dudley Young Health Champions and partner organisations where appropriate. This helps recognise the collaborative work that made the project possible.
Partner organisations
This project was developed through collaboration between:
- Dudley Young Health Champions
- Dudley Council for Voluntary Service
- King Edward VI College, Stourbridge
- NHS organisations across the Black Country and wider region
- Patient safety and Martha’s Rule programme leads
- Creative partners and independent artists involved in production
- Martha’s Rule leaflet
- Martha’s Rule - Bookmark design
- Martha’s Rule Banner Art
- Martha’s Rule Blank Patient Wellness Questionnaire
- Martha’s Rule Blank Poster Background
- Martha’s Rule Octopus Logo
- Martha’s Rule Patient Wellness Questionnaire
- Martha’s Story Back Cover
- Martha’s Rule Poster
- Martha’s Story Cover
- The Story of Martha’s Rule Film Poster
- Translation info
- Blank Phone in Hand
- Martha’s Rule Blank Patient Wellness Questionnaire background
- Martha’s Rule Blank Poster background
- Martha’s Rule Bookmark Design
- Martha’s Rule Octopus logo (blue text)
- Martha’s Rule Octopus Logo
- Martha’s Rule Octopus Round Logo Design
- Martha’s Rule Octopus
- Marthas Rule Octopus Logo Blue Square
- The Story of Martha’s Rule Title Page
- Wellness Scale