Winner
Merope Mills
Campaigner for Martha's Rule
Summary of work
Merope’s Role and Experience
In the summer of 2021, 13-year-old Martha Mills fell off her bike, injuring her pancreas. While in hospital her condition deteriorated and she later died of septic shock. An investigation ruled that Martha would have likely survived if doctors had acted on her parents' concerns and moved her to intensive care. Following her daughter's death Merope Mills successfully campaigned for Martha's rule, a patient safety initiative that gives patients, families, carers and staff in hospitals who have concerns about a patient's deteriorating condition access to a rapid review from a critical care outreach team.
Judges’ comments
Merope’s campaigning has shown such bravery to take on a whole healthcare system on the back of such a tragedy. She has helped to improve care for other patients, carers and families, with an elegant, practical solution that is unequivocally already making a difference and saving lives. Very emotional and powerful.
