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Martha’s Rule Programme data collection

Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative to support the early detection of deterioration by ensuring the concerns of patients, families, carers and staff are listened to and acted upon.

Documentation

About this standard

Publisher
NHS England
Reference code
DAPB4123
Publication date
19 May 2026
Status
Active
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Active. Active standards are stable, maintained and have been approved, assured or endorsed for use by qualified bodies.

Deprecated Deprecated standards are available for use and are maintained, but are being phased out, so new functionality will not be added.

Retired standards Retired standards are not being maintained or supported and should not be used.

Standard type
Collections
Show definitions of standard types

Collections. A Collection is a systematic gathering of a specified selection of data or information for a particular stated purpose from existing records held within health and care systems and electronic devices.

Extractions. An extraction is a type of collection that is pulled from an operational system by the data controller and transmitted to the receiver without additional processing or transcription by the sender.

Information standards. Information standards are agreed ways of doing something, written down as a set of precise criteria so they can be used as rules, guidelines, or definitions.

Technical Standards and specifications. Technical standards and specifications specify how to make information available technically including how the data is structured and transported.

Collection level

Aggregate level

Frequency

Dataset publication or collection occurs once a month.

Contact point

england.standards.assurance@nhs.net

Using this standard

Applies to
NHS acute and specialist trusts in England
Effective from
19 May 2026

Topics and care settings

Topic
Clinical safety
Care setting
Hospital

Review Information

Approval date
19 May 2026
Technical Committee

Data Assurance Board (DAB)

Legal authority

Section 259 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012

More information

Background and submission details

Page last updated: 06 July 2026