Labour backs call for Marthas rule on right to second medical opinion
The Guardian Labour would back the government if it introduced a Marthas rule in England to make it easier for patients and their families who believe their concerns are not being taken seriously by medical staff to get a second medical opinion.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, the shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, said he was moved to tears listening to the mother of Martha Mills, who died when doctors failed to admit her to intensive care.
Martha, who would have been 16 on Monday, died in 2021 after developing sepsis while under the care of Kings College hospital NHS foundation trust in south London.
An inquest heard there were several opportunities to refer Martha to intensive care but this did not happen. The trust has since apologised for mistakes in Marthas care.
Marthas mother, Merope Mills a senior editor at the Guardian and her husband, Paul Laity, are calling for Marthas rule to be put in place so that patients, families and care workers will be able to easily request a second opinion from a senior doctor in the same hospital in the event of a suspected deterioration or serious concern.
