More than 800 have 'called for concern' under Martha's rule

A NEW system to allow NHS patients, their families or carers - or staff looking after them to seek an urgent second opinion has seen a total of 822 requests so far in the North East.

- SAM VOLPE

The "Call for Concern" system known as Martha's Rule - allows people to "escalate" worries they may have about NHS care especially if the patient is deteriorating.

The escalation process empowers patients and their families to seek a second opinion if they feel the patient's condition is worsening and their concerns are not being addressed. NHS staff can also use the service.

A board meeting of the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board last week heard how across the North East and Yorkshire there had been 822 uses of the service.

This has rolled out in stages across the region with the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust among the first to launch the system.

Others, such as the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust which runs the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospitals saw Martha's Rule go live in April.