Getting a second opinion about your care
Martha’s Rule
Martha’s Rule is a new initiative by the NHS which gives patients and their families the power to seek an urgent review if their condition gets worse or if they are worried this is not being responded to.
This rule is named after Martha Mills, a teenager who passed away in 2021 after getting sepsis in hospital. Martha came to the hospital after falling off her bike and injuring her pancreas, but her treatment team did not address her family’s worries about her condition getting worse. In 2023, a coroner ruled that Martha likely would have survived if she had been moved to intensive care earlier.
Receiving a second opinion on the NHS is not a legal right, but more that 140 NHS trusts are now piloting ‘Martha’s Rule’.
Do you need a second opinion?
Before asking for a second opinion, you should ask your healthcare professional to go over your diagnosis and explain anything you’re not sure of. If you’re unhappy with this or would like to try a different treatment, tell them.
Your carer or family can also ask for a second opinion on your behalf, but only with your permission. If they request a second opinion about your illness or condition they should have all of the information about it and check they understand it.
How do you get a second opinion?
Seeking a second opinion can involve asking to see a different GP, or going back to your GP to referred to a different hospital specialist.
If your GP agrees to refer you, the new consultant will be told that this is for a second opinion. They will also send your medical records to the new specialist. You will be treated as a new patient, which can mean waiting longer for treatment.
Looking for more information?
Further information is available via the NHS website.
