Martha’s rule: the medical profession should embrace it

I agree with Robert Francis in your news analysis on Martha’s rule that we should avoid setting up a bureaucratic process without making sure it works in practice.1 The NHS has been criticised for “drowning in bureaucracy,” is beset with chronic problems that successive governments have ignored, and has a “chronic shortage of good leaders” to apply the “common sense” needed to sort it all out.2 Clinical care is complex, especially in times of heightened emotions, and families wanting a second opinion need to be treated with care and compassion. The imbalance of power in the doctor-patient relationship means that patients and families need to be supported to voice their concerns.The government has committed to bringing in Martha’s rule as quickly as possible.3 The medical profession has nothing to fear and needs to embrace this initiative with open arms. The government should engage with the clinical unions and the royal…
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