Martha’s Rule: Implications for healthcare training
Martha’s Rule is a significant development in the healthcare sector, with evidence showing that it is already saving lives. The roll out across NHS trusts will be gradual and aimed at specific services, with pilots still considering how and where to implement Martha’s Rule across further services. But how does Martha’s Rule affect training and qualifications?
What is Martha’s rule?
Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative intended to support the early detection of a deterioration of patient’s health and wellbeing by ensuring the concerns of patients, families, carers and staff are listened to and acted upon.
It recognises that those who know the patient best may be the first to notice changes that could be an early sign of deterioration. Martha’s Rule has three core components:
(Source: NHS England)
1. Patients will be asked, at least daily, about how they are feeling, and if they are getting better or worse. This information will be acted on in a structured way.
2. All staff will be able, at any time, to ask for a review from a different team if they are concerned that a patient is deteriorating, and they are not being responded to.
3. This escalation route will also always be available to patients themselves, their families and carers and advertised across the hospital.
The rule emphasises the need for training to equip staff not just with technical skills, but also with a robust understanding of safeguarding, ethical responsibilities, and person-centred care. Many qualifications have these core principles well-embedded within the scope of learning outcomes, so training providers and employers need to assess how they match existing skills and understanding with compliance with the new rule and explain to employees their roles and responsibilities in being compliant. Employers also need to assess, in line with other knowledge frameworks, whether there are any additional training needs or CPD required for staff.
Implications for training providers
For awarding and assessment organisations like iCQ Awards, Martha’s Rule reinforces the importance of high-quality, regulated training standards. Training centres can take several practical steps to ensure compliance and underpin learner outcomes:
- Embedding safeguarding: Incorporate safeguarding principles into every module, not just as a standalone topic. Include case studies and scenario-based exercises to reinforce how to recognise and respond to abuse or neglect.
- Focus on real-world application: Move beyond theory by using role-playing, simulations, and workplace assessments. Learners should demonstrate practical competence in tasks such as medication administration, care planning, and risk assessment.
- Structured reflective practice: Encourage learners to maintain reflective journals or logs, analysing decisions and actions taken during practical exercises. This develops critical thinking and ethical awareness.
- Regular skills refreshers: Introduce periodic refresher sessions, workshops, or microlearning modules to keep staff updated on legislative changes, new safeguarding guidance, and evolving best practices.
- Supportive learning environment: Foster an environment where learners feel safe to ask questions, report mistakes, and discuss challenging situations. Mentorship or buddy systems can enhance practical learning and confidence.
Whilst these are all principles that training providers already hold and support, Martha’s Rule implementation is an opportunity to assess, tweak and reshape learning experiences – a process which can also help employers demonstrate their compliance.
How iCQ can support compliance with Martha’s Rule
We are consistently delivering qualifications that meet the needs of employers and ultimately the needs of patients and individuals accessing health and social care services. Responding to conversations we have had in the sector, we have produced a range of qualifications that can be used to support person-centred care and have recently been approved to deliver the Safeguarding Support Officer apprenticeship assessment. These additions are helping support our centres with their training needs in response to Martha’s Rule.
Further work is being done to ensure that:
- Qualifications integrate safeguarding and ethical considerations across all levels and topics
- Assessment methods reflect real-world scenarios and best practice in care
- Resources and support are being offered for continuous professional development of care staff
- Centres and employers are aware of the supporting awards that can strengthen and evidence their compliance.
Looking to see how iCQ qualifications can support Martha’s Rule compliance?
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.
