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Paul Laity

@paullaity.bsky.social
1.2K followers 299 following 43 posts

editing @lrb (again), after years as Guardian non-fic editor. Writing book for Penguin/Norton on sandals, sunbaths, muesli, 'bearded fruit-juice drinkers' etc. Campaigner for Martha's Rule in NHS.

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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I've read countless times that the vast majority of NHS harm is unintended, as if that's the end of the debate. It's such a simplistic and doctor-centred view. Harm can be caused by arrogance, complacency, not caring enough to be vigilant. It happened with Martha and it's different from 'intention'.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026: the Winners! www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2026/se...
londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026: the Winners! | London Review Bookshop
The Martha Mills Young Writers Prize 2026
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Thirlwall Report. Perhaps a real debate can begin. Those within NHS claim blame culture still exists. Victims/families following fatal negligence think the opposite. Whatever talk of 'just culture', Trusts don't pursue individual accountability – systems explanations only are legit. Both are needed.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
thetimes.com
Nottingham parents despair as NHS chiefs dodge maternity questions
The BBC tracked down two former executives at a trust where failings were linked to 162 potentially avoidable deaths
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2... No surprise at all that 'the culture at NUH prioritised "institutional reputation over patient safety".' It's been found so many times... When are we going to have a real, politically/culturally difficult conversation about what happens week in, week out in the NHS?
bbc.co.uk
Hundreds of mothers and babies died or were harmed at 'toxic' hospital trust, Nottingham review finds
Staff reported a "bullying" culture at the hospital trust, while mothers were told to "pull themselves together" during labour, review chair Donna Ockenden says.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Martha's Rule safety scheme to be extended to all maternity units
Martha's Rule will entitle parents to request an independent review of their baby's medical care.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
thetimes.com
NHS dismissed mothers’ concerns in ten-year baby deaths cover-up
Failings at Nottingham led to hundreds of avoidable mother and baby fatalities and cases of brain damage, an inquiry will reveal
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Who played in a World Cup match wearing a beret? Clever, funny, powerful - a must-read www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Simon Skinner · ‘I wouldn’t pay it either’: World Cup Wallcharts
This World Cup, unlike Russia 2018, is hosted by democratic nations, and unlike Qatar 2022 the walkways to its stadiums...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
A reminder to parents and English teachers . . . the deadline for this year's prize is 26 June. Previous judges have included Katherine Rundell and Philip Pullman. This year it's Michael Rosen. 500 words on 'An Unlikely Friend'. Get writing! www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2026/ma...
londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026 | London Review Bookshop
The London Review Bookshop is proud to announce the fourth year of the Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize. Inspired by the curiosity and imagination of Martha Mills, the…
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
This pretty much says it all. Thanks to the brilliant @estheraddley.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
‘I am invoking Martha’s rule’: how a woman saved her father from near death in hospital
David Osenton almost died because of medical mistakes and delays, but new rule allowed Karen to demand a second opinion
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Nick Pearce @iprnickp.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
This is an astonishingly successful public policy reform, and so heartening. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Martha’s rule may have saved more than 500 lives in England since 2024
Patient safety mechanism which gives patients the right to seek a second opinion having ‘lifesaving impact’, says health secretary
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Esther Addley @estheraddley.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Can't help thinking what a woman Martha Mills would have become with @meropemills.bsky.social and @paullaity.bsky.social for parents.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Nuria’s mother, Smera Chohan, told the BBC: “I really want to understand why I have been treated so cruelly, unfairly and in an inhumane way. I would like the keepers of law, of the system, to come and tell me.” “I am not asking for any favouritism, or any sympathy. I’m just saying ‘do it right’.”
theguardian.com
Police watchdog investigates handling of inquiry into Wimbledon crash that killed two schoolgirls
Independent Office for Police Conduct examines allegations that the race of victim’s’ families influenced conduct of officers
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Calling all young UK writers aged 11-14. Great prizes, and a chance to have your writing published. www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2026/ma...
londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026 | London Review Bookshop
The London Review Bookshop is proud to announce the fourth year of the Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize. Inspired by the curiosity and imagination of Martha Mills, the…
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Reposted by Paul Laity
Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
The finest take down of the institution of monarchy and "class" and the grasping, greedy, venal, entitled, and very stupid people it enables that you will read today or any day. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Andrew O’Hagan · Stay Classy: Mummy’s Favourite
The late queen can be held responsible for much, but nobody could accuse her of seeming to enjoy her role. For the...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Martha’s rule may have saved 400 lives so far in England, figures show
Exclusive: System brought in after death of 13-year-old is helping ‘transform culture’ of NHS, says patient safety director
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
So many lies. Such entitlement. www.thetimes.com/article/dc5e...
thetimes.com
Nine years after paracetamol overdose, medics are told to answer for it
Laura Higginson’s widower has forced regulators to review more than 40 doctors and nurses after a long battle against ‘lies, deceit and obfuscation’
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Defensiveness and the instinct to minimise error with no real consideration for patients and families is the prevailing culture in the NHS. Will anyone begin a serious debate about accountability?
theguardian.com
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
thetimes.com
Nottingham victims’ families speak of ‘loss of their futures’
Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barney Webber’s younger brothers have told the inquiry into the 2023 killings by Valdo Calocane that they feel ‘lost’ without them
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
thetimes.com
Bosses forced to answer for ‘catastrophic’ Nottingham attack failures
The key NHS and police figures in the spotlight as an inquiry examines how Valdo Calocane’s murderous rampage could have been prevented
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Shaun Lintern @shaunlintern.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: NHS England warns of "emerging evidence" of harm across England by surgeons, as it launches new requirements and chief exec Sir Jim mackey tells hospitals to be "more curious" in the wake of @GreatOrmondSt scandal: www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
thetimes.com
Hospitals ‘must be more curious’ to catch rogue surgeons
The head of NHS England says trust boards rely too much on poor data and should challenge doctors to avoid another scandal like GOSH
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Thinking today about the point @paullaity.bsky.social makes in this piece that 'any idea of restorative justice depends on an acceptance of responsibility'. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Paul Laity · After Martha
For the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
healthinnovationeast.co.uk/marthas-rule...
healthinnovationeast.co.uk
Martha’s Rule in action – a patient’s story
Elaine and Diane share their experience of calling Martha's Rule into action
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Nick Schindler @drnickschindler.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
I called the “cause for concern” (Martha’s Rule) number, as a relative today. I’m incredibly impressed by the response. It is wonderful to see a new system work so well, and as a relative it’s a huge relief to have an accessible system when you have concerns. @nnuh.bsky.social
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
As a coda, one of the things that's stuck with me from @paullaity.bsky.social's recent piece in @lrb.co.uk was this: 'any idea of restorative justice depends on an acceptance of responsibility'. I think this has to be the first step in improving maternity care and I've seen little evidence for it.8/
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 29/09/2025
‘All doctors get things wrong. What matters hugely to families in our position is that they have the courage and humility to admit to these mistakes. If they do, it transforms the way you feel about a clinician.’ @paullaity.bsky.social on his daughter Martha’s death: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Paul Laity · After Martha
For the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025: the Winners! www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2025/se...
londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025: the Winners! | London Review Bookshop
In this third year of the prize, we were again overwhelmed with the number of entries. And the overall standard remained very high, which made the judging terribly…
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
'Welcome to my last four years.' A search for accountability and a full, detailed explanation for Martha's death . . . www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Paul Laity · After Martha
For the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things...
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Helen Haskell @hhask.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Martha's rule rolled out to all acute hospitals in England www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Martha's rule rolled out to all acute hospitals in England
Hundreds of patients have been helped by rule, which makes it easier to get an urgent second opinion.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
A terrific piece www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Thomas Jones · Lunch with Mussolini: Ferrari Speeds Ahead
I’d been told in no uncertain terms at the ‘technical briefing’, even if you think you’re a good driver, even if...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Deadline a week today. The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...
londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 | London Review Bookshop
The London Review Bookshop is proud to announce the third year of the Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize. Inspired by the curiosity and imagination of Martha Mills, the…
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Senior doctor accused of failures in case that gave rise to Martha’s rule
Prof Richard Thompson accused of wrongly failing to escalate care of Martha Mills, 13, before she died of sepsis
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
‘Detecting deterioration’: the new Martha’s Rule branding, which we hope will be used in all the 143 hospital sites involved in the implementation.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Hugely entertaining Kippers and Champagne www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Daniel Cohen · Kippers and Champagne: Barclay and Barclay
The story of the Barclay brothers’ rise is ‘the story of modern Britain’, and they were certainly creatures of the...
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LRB Bookshop @londonreviewbookshop.co.uk · 13/03/2025
We’re delighted to welcome as this year’s guest judge @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social, , the Children’s Laureate and author of much-loved books including ​Cosmic, ​Framed and ​Millions! Find out more about Martha, the prize and how to enter here: lrb.me/1m3
lrb.me
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 | London Review Bookshop
The London Review Bookshop is proud to announce the third year of the Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize. Inspired by the curiosity and imagination of Martha Mills, the…
001
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Calling 11-14 year-olds in the UK. Please spread the word. www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...
londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 | London Review Bookshop
The London Review Bookshop is proud to announce the third year of the Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize. Inspired by the curiosity and imagination of Martha Mills, the…
002
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Helen Sullivan · Diary: Trapped in the Mine
Gcina Lepheana had been working deep in the illegal mine for five months when, in October last year, deliveries stopped...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
thetimes.com
‘After my baby died, NHS colleagues mocked me’
A doctor who worked at the scandal-hit Nottingham University Hospitals Trust fought for the truth — and learnt his daughter’s body was left to decompose
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
“We seek only the truth. It is not a witch hunt. But those who failed to do their jobs properly should hold their hands up and provide full candour and be held to account for their actions.” www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
thetimes.com
Families of Nottingham stabbing victims demand answers from investigation
Relatives of those killed say that the independent police investigation is stonewalling their questions relating to discrepancies in an officer’s statement
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
‘The inquiry also heard in December that government departments had been slow to provide details, explaining this was owing to the way documents were stored, and changes of staff.’ www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Covid inquiry to hear evidence about Michelle Mone-linked firm in private
Chair rules that details about PPE contracts given to company linked to Tory peer will be heard in closed session
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
thetimes.com
Surgeons accused of racism, bullying and toxic power struggle
An investigation into the facial trauma unit at Barts Health NHS Trust says a corrosive culture of competition and bigotry led to patients being harmed
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
NHS failings and lawyers have destroyed memories of our baby, say parents
After a two-week inquest into the death of their son Ben in 2015, Jenny and Allyn Condon say the pain is even worse
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Annie G @anniegoss.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
Happy New Year people on Bluesky! I’ve been thinking on some of the most impactful campaigns of 2024. In my view ‘Martha’s rule’ - the campaign for the opportunity to request a review of a hospital care plan was extraordinary. Hoping it’s rolled out everywhere in 2025. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Mother behind Martha's Rule shares scheme's early success - BBC News
Merope Mills began her campaign after an inquest found a change of hospital care plan could have saved her daughter's life.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
From UK Doctors Reddit on new Martha’s Rule data: “we did have a child’s mother ring the line resulting in a life saving procedure from a specialist that would almost certainly not have happened in time otherwise. I was quite cynical about it all, but in this case it worked exactly as intended.”
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
theguardian.com
Martha’s rule having ‘transformative effect’, NHS England data shows
Mother of girl who died in 2021 reveals figures on Today programme that are welcomed by national medical director
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Caleb Crain @calebcrain.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
A tour-de-force of scholarship and detective work: Fara Dabhoiwala reveals that a portrait of an 18th-century Black scientist, long dismissed as a caricature, is in fact a record of the man's mastery of Newtonian physics—and the only painting made in 1759 of the return of Halley's comet.
lrb.co.uk
Fara Dabhoiwala · A Man of Parts and Learning: Francis Williams Gets His Due
The only certainty about the picture is that it shows Francis Williams. No one has ever been able to discover who...
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Auntie Jellyfish @auntiejellyfish.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
The Left Book Club Anthology @paullaity.bsky.social Boy is it eerie! And @nigelslater.bsky.social A Thousand Feasts for the joy.
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 20/12/2023
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 20/12/2023
www.theguardian.com/society/2023...
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Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 16/12/2023
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
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