Call for Concern (Martha's Rule)

This page provides information that may help you or your relative during their stay in Derriford Hospital. If you feel suddenly unwell, call for help from your ward team immediately.

What is Call for Concern

Call for concern is a patient safety service for patients staying in hospital and their families. You, a relative or carer can call for urgent help and advice if you have concerns about their condition that have not been answered by the ward team. This service is also known as ‘Martha’s Rule’. At the moment (Monday 22 July) we are piloting this on 4 wards at Derriford Hospital. These wards are:

• Wolf
• Stonehouse
• Hexworthy 
• Honeyford

The pilot will be run and carefully evaluated throughout the summer before wider rollout within Derriford.

Call for Concern Team

This service is delivered by the Acute Care Team (ACT), a 24 hour-a-day critical care outreach service of specialist nurses. We can offer advice over the telephone or come to the ward to review the patient’s condition if there is a noticeable worsening. At present Call for Concern only operates within the Derriford Hospital site.

When to Contact Call for Concern

• When there is a significant worsening in the patient’s condition
• And your concerns have not been addressed by the ward nurses or doctors

When Not to Contact Call for Concern

• This is a patient safety service. Do not use to report general issues such as parking, food or general complaints.
• Please speak to a member of staff to discuss these issues.

How to Contact Call for Concern

Call the Acute Care Team on 01752 530331

• If no-one answers, please leave a message and you will be called back as soon as possible.
• Please be aware that we cannot guarantee a specific call back time as we may be reviewing other unwell patients. We will call back as soon as we can.
• If you are unable to reach us,
  • Call 01752 202 082 and ask to ‘bleep ACT on a call for concern’. Or
  • Contact switchboard via a hospital phone (dial 50 or the ward staff will help you) and ask to ‘bleep ACT on a call for concern’

When You Call

We need to know the following when you call:

• Your name and the name of the patient you are concerned about, and a contact number for you.
• The ward the patient is on.
• A brief description of your concerns.

What Happens Next

One of the Acute Care Team will take your call. They may provide advice over the telephone. They may visit the ward to discuss your concerns further. The Acute Care Team will liaise with the patient’s medical team and other healthcare professionals as needed, to discuss further treatment options.