Making Martha's Rule equitable

Dr George Lawson, Paediatrician, provides insights into the North Thames Paediatric Network's work to make access to Martha's Rule more equitable. He describes a regional approach to escalation when local concerns remain unresolved, with particular relevance to children in district general hospitals. The interview explores the use of a regional telephone route, staff education and feedback to support independent review, improve communication and address patient-safety concerns. Dr Lawson reflects on the pilot's findings and the recommendations developed from this work, including opportunities to extend the model and strengthen communication training for staff managing difficult situations.

This interview took place at the PCCS Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 in London.