Martha’s Rule was introduced by NHS England in April 2024 after the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills in 2021, who developed sepsis in hospital following a pancreatic injury. A coroner later ruled she would likely have survived had she been moved to intensive care sooner, after her family’s concerns about her deterioration went unheeded. Following campaigning by her mother, Merope Mills, the rule now gives patients, families, carers and staff round-the-clock access to a rapid review from a critical care outreach team if they’re worried a patient is deteriorating and feel unheard. It has three parts: daily structured check-ins with patients about how they’re feeling, 24/7 staff access to an outreach team, and the same 24/7 access for patients and families.
Led by the NIHR Central London Patient Safety Research Collaboration (based at UCLH) and delivered by SafetyNet, the network of all six NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaborations, the evaluation combines national data analysis (deterioration rates, escalations, ICU admissions, mortality) with in-depth qualitative work at 16 trusts — observations, interviews, and case studies. A central aim is equity: whether the rule works as well for people with communication difficulties, cognitive impairment, language barriers, or from underserved communities as for everyone else. Health economists will also assess value for money. Patients and families with lived experience of harm are involved as equal partners, not just research subjects.
Dr Matt Cooper is leading for the North East (Newcastle PSRC) and reflected on the award: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a cross-country, collaborative evaluation of a vital pathway across our NHS. This work will ensure that we support the implementation and effectiveness of Marthas Rule in the future.”
The North East team from Newcastle PSRC includes – Dr Matt Cooper, Professor Annette Hand and Lauren Lawson. (pictured left to right)
Read the full announcement on the SafetyNet website at the following link: SafetyNet | Martha’s Rule Summative Evaluation | NIHR PSRC Network
Perspectives from the PSRC Newcastle, Disadvantaged Communities Theme were included in a new report from Bowel Cancer UK on cancer diagnoses in hospital emergency departments – which is the foundation of a new campaign by the charity on this topic.
This patient insight report is an important first step in understanding the experiences of people and families affected by emergency bowel cancer diagnoses. Hearing these perspectives helps us appreciate the emotional and practical impact on patients and their loved ones, while also beginning to identify areas where improvements could make a real difference.
Connecting experiences from both patients and professional viewpoints helps us develop a complete picture of what happens, what is working and what may need to change. This comprehensive understanding is the first step in making sure that future interventions are grounded in real experiences and, ultimately, that patients and families are better supported.
Please follow the link below to read the full report:
By Safer Integrated Health and Social Care Environments PhD Student, Lauren Lawson
In August I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to Singapore to attend the BMJ International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare. I presented a poster about a service evaluation I had worked on, led by Dr Matt Cooper, which explored a hospital discharge service providing one-to-one, personalised support for carers of people leaving hospital.
The conference theme, moving together toward sustainable quality, emphasised the importance of collaboration across sectors to achieve lasting improvements in healthcare. Many sessions focused on involving patients and carers as partners in care, by embedding lived experience into service design and evaluation to make change meaningful and sustainable. Other sessions explored how to support population health across the life course, recognising the social factors that shape health and the role of community-based care.
“For me, a key message was that sustainability in healthcare also depends on continuity, where good care extends beyond the hospital to meet people’s needs in the community.”
These messages echoed the key findings from our service evaluation, which highlighted how person-centred, inclusive support can empower carers to support their own wellbeing and the patient during hospital-to-home transitions. Our approach of working with staff and carers to understand the service’s impact reflected the same emphasis on participation and learning that was central to the conference. For me, a key message was that sustainability in healthcare also depends on continuity, where good care extends beyond the hospital to meet people’s needs in the community.
After the conference I got to explore Singapore and think about sustainability in a different way. The contrast between greenery and skyscrapers, the hawker centres blending food from diverse communities together, and the evening light show through the Supertrees were all incredible reminders the benefits of collaborative design.
A Pre-implementation Study to develop and test an Integrated Discharge Intervention (PreSIDInt study)
As part of a research project funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research, Professor Hamde Nazar and Dr Evgenia Stepanova explore what happens to patients during the transition from hospital to home. In this video, they highlight the essential role of involving patients and the public through meaningful PPIE (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement).
To ensure a safe and inclusive space for open dialogue, the project established two PPIE groups—a women-only group and a mixed group—each meeting four times throughout the study. These conversations offered crucial insights into real experiences of hospital discharge, revealing gaps in current research and shedding light on challenges that patients regularly face, such as feeling “in limbo”—with limited information, no clear point of contact, and uncertainty about available support.
Hamde and Evgenia reflect on how these contributions shaped the research and deepened its relevance and impact.
Programme Development Grants award NIHR205674 A Pre-implementation Study to develop and test an Integrated Discharge Intervention (PreSIDInt study)
Experience of participation and poster presentation.
By PhD Student Rajeev Shrestha
On 18th July 2025, I got the opportunity to attend the Great North Pharmacy Research Collaborative (GNPRC) Conference, held at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead. This event brought together pharmacy professionals, researchers, and pharmacy trainees to explore innovations in medicines optimisation, collaboration, and workforce development.
A key highlight for me was presenting my poster titled “Outcome of Deprescribing in People with Life-Limiting Conditions: A Systematic Review”. This study aimed to synthesise evidence on the clinical-, medicine and system-related outcomes of deprescribing practices among palliative patients. I had an opportunity to interact with fellow attendees during the poster viewing sessions that really sparked meaningful conversations around the safer use of medication. Personally, it was encouraging to see the ongoing works on reducing inappropriate use of medication by practising pharmacists.
The conference agenda was rich with insightful sessions. I particularly appreciated the breakout session on “Shared Decision Making and its Role in Reducing Overprescribing,” which also resonate with the area of my research. The growing emphasis on collaboration across sectors, from community pharmacies to NHS manufacturing, highlighted the evolving role of pharmacists in shaping safer, more effective care pathways.
Overall, GNPRC 2025 was a valuable experience to me. The event inspired new ideas, informed ongoing initiatives and deepened our commitment to contributing to quality use of medications.
I’m Liam, a Specialist Clinical Pharmacist in Acute and Emergency Care at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. I split my time between clinical practice (four days a week) and research (one day a week) through the NIHR Newcastle PSRC Patient Safety Development Award. Since graduating from Newcastle University’s School of Pharmacy in 2022, I’ve been building my research career alongside clinical development, driven by a passion for research sparked during my undergraduate studies.
The NIHR Newcastle PSRC’s impact on clinicians
Traditionally, clinical practice and academia have been seen as separate career paths. Clinicians interested in research often had to pursue it in their own time, outside of demanding full-time roles.
The NIHR clinical academic pathway has transformed this by funding protected research time and reimbursing employers, allowing clinicians to step away from practice to pursue research.
For me, this has meant one day each week seconded at NIHR Newcastle PSRC, where I’ve developed core research skills. Working with experienced researchers has helped me understand the full project lifecycle, from shaping early ideas and designing methodology to recruiting participants, collecting data, and writing up results.
Building Collaborations
Embedding clinicians within the NIHR Newcastle PSRC helps build strong links with partner organisations. Connections with charities and local health and social care providers create future opportunities at both individual and organisational levels. This also broadens the chance for under-represented groups to have a voice, influence practice, and help reduce health inequalities.
At Newcastle University, embedded clinicians benefit from access to leading academics in their field and can learn from their experience. Previously, collaborations were often ad hoc, such as draft reviews or methodology advice. These awards now enable clinicians to work more closely with academics and gain a deeper understanding of research and academia.
Why is this valuable to the public?
Research-active organisations are linked to better patient outcomes. Combining clinical work with research lets me address real issues I encounter in practice, shaping projects that can drive meaningful change.
In acute medicine, I’ve focused on discharge and follow-up challenges. Through the NIHR Newcastle PSRC, I’m now working on a project exploring these issues for homecare recipients and those working in the industry.
Being embedded in both sectors also helps spread research findings more effectively, supporting better service improvements and outcomes.
Next Steps
A key goal is to encourage more healthcare professionals to engage in research. The NIHR clinical academic pathway supports this by offering development alongside clinical roles, leading to qualifications and national research leadership opportunities.
Researchers have developed AI, called DeepMerkel, which can determine the course and severity of aggressive skin cancers enabling medics to personalise treatment.
To read more please check out the Newcastle University Press Office post about it.
To read the related papers
Alongside Dr Anna Robinson-Barella, Dr David Sinclair, Dr Vanessa Davey, Prof Barbara Hanratty, and Prof Adam Todd in the journal of Age and Ageing.
Understanding polypharmacy for people receiving home care services: a scoping review of the evidence
This review comprehensively maps the evidence on the prevalence and management of polypharmacy in home care settings and highlights promising strategies for enhancing medication quality. However, significant gaps remain in understanding of how care staff and recipients experience and manage complex medication regimens, underscoring the need for further research in this area.
Co-theme Lead Professor Adam Todd of “Safer management of polypharmacy in multiple long-term conditions” and Professor Clare Bambra of “Safer Management of Multiple Long-Term Conditions in Disadvantaged Communities” co-authored a recent article in the BMJ Open “Ecological study of the association between the English national vaccination programme and area deprivation inequalities in COVID-19 mortality“
The paper concludes that inequalties in COVID-19 mortality rates could be significantly reduced by the National COVID-19 vaccination strategies. However barries to vaccination uptake in the most deprived areas need to be overcome if more is to be acheived.
Our Data and AI CoTheme Lead Professor Nick Reynolds has been invovled in the developement of AI, called DeepMerkel, which can determine the course and severity of aggressive skin cancers enabling medics to personalise treatment.
To hear more about DeepMerkel visit the Newcastle University Press office page and view the associated papers below:
- Andrew TA, Alrawi M, Plummer R, Reynolds NJ, Sondak V, Brownell I, Lovat PE, Rose A and Shalhout S (2024). A Hybrid Machine Learning Approach for the Personalized Prognostication of Aggressive Skin Cancers. Nature Digital Medicine Ref NPJDIGITALMED-11157R1
- Andrew TW, Erdmann S, Alrawi M, Plummer R, Shalhout SZ, Sondak V, Brownnell I, Lovat PE and Rose A (2024.) A multivariable disease-specific model enhances prognostication beyond current Merkel cell carcinoma staging: An international cohort study of 10,958 patients – ScienceDirect. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. : Ms. No. JAAD-D-24-01601R3