Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Of course, systemic failings are vital too. But the consequences of individual error caused by complacency can be catastrophic. Why should individual clinicians be so protected they are not even asked serious questions? The assumption of many doctors is that such questioning is simply illegitimate. 0201
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026I'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'. 2466
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026: the Winners! www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2026/se...londonreviewbookshop.co.ukThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026: the Winners! | London Review BookshopThe Martha Mills Young Writers Prize 2026 043
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 16/09/2026It's a year since After Martha came out, giving my perspective. Martha's death wasn't due to a lack of resources. And doctors weren't open or honest about their evident individual mistakes. The Trust didn't ask questions. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4... (Thirlwall quote via Catherine Roy.)lrb.co.ukPaul Laity · After MarthaFor the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things... 020
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Thirlwall 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. 250
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 11/09/2026www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...thetimes.comNottingham parents despair as NHS chiefs dodge maternity questionsThe BBC tracked down two former executives at a trust where failings were linked to 162 potentially avoidable deaths 000
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 24/06/2026www.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.ukHundreds of mothers and babies died or were harmed at 'toxic' hospital trust, Nottingham review findsStaff reported a "bullying" culture at the hospital trust, while mothers were told to "pull themselves together" during labour, review chair Donna Ockenden says. 040
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Thanks, Helen. It's certainly not the answer to everything. So much needs to change. 010
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 24/06/2026www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukMartha's Rule safety scheme to be extended to all maternity unitsMartha's Rule will entitle parents to request an independent review of their baby's medical care. 151
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/06/2026www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...thetimes.comNHS dismissed mothers’ concerns in ten-year baby deaths cover-upFailings at Nottingham led to hundreds of avoidable mother and baby fatalities and cases of brain damage, an inquiry will reveal 000
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Who played in a World Cup match wearing a beret? Clever, funny, powerful - a must-read www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukSimon Skinner · ‘I wouldn’t pay it either’: World Cup WallchartsThis World Cup, unlike Russia 2018, is hosted by democratic nations, and unlike Qatar 2022 the walkways to its stadiums... 041
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 02/06/2026A 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.ukThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026 | London Review BookshopThe 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… 023
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 01/05/2026This 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 hospitalDavid Osenton almost died because of medical mistakes and delays, but new rule allowed Karen to demand a second opinion 1124
Reposted by Paul LaityNick Pearce @iprnickp.bsky.social · 01/05/2026This is an astonishingly successful public policy reform, and so heartening. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.comMartha’s rule may have saved more than 500 lives in England since 2024Patient safety mechanism which gives patients the right to seek a second opinion having ‘lifesaving impact’, says health secretary 320266
Reposted by Paul LaityEsther Addley @estheraddley.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Can't help thinking what a woman Martha Mills would have become with @meropemills.bsky.social and @paullaity.bsky.social for parents. 073
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 14/04/2026Nuria’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.comPolice watchdog investigates handling of inquiry into Wimbledon crash that killed two schoolgirlsIndependent Office for Police Conduct examines allegations that the race of victim’s’ families influenced conduct of officers 020
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 23/03/2026Calling 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.ukThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2026 | London Review BookshopThe 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… 0915
Reposted by Paul LaityOtto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 10/03/2026The 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.ukAndrew O’Hagan · Stay Classy: Mummy’s FavouriteThe late queen can be held responsible for much, but nobody could accuse her of seeming to enjoy her role. For the... 1171592647
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 08/03/2026www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.comMartha’s rule may have saved 400 lives so far in England, figures showExclusive: System brought in after death of 13-year-old is helping ‘transform culture’ of NHS, says patient safety director 2519
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 08/03/2026So many lies. Such entitlement. www.thetimes.com/article/dc5e...thetimes.comNine years after paracetamol overdose, medics are told to answer for itLaura Higginson’s widower has forced regulators to review more than 40 doctors and nurses after a long battle against ‘lies, deceit and obfuscation’ 012
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Defensiveness 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 020
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 25/02/2026www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...thetimes.comNottingham 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 000
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/02/2026www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...thetimes.comBosses forced to answer for ‘catastrophic’ Nottingham attack failuresThe key NHS and police figures in the spotlight as an inquiry examines how Valdo Calocane’s murderous rampage could have been prevented 000
Reposted by Paul LaityShaun 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.comHospitals ‘must be more curious’ to catch rogue surgeonsThe head of NHS England says trust boards rely too much on poor data and should challenge doctors to avoid another scandal like GOSH 22917
Reposted by Paul LaityHelen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 12/01/2026Thinking 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.ukPaul Laity · After MarthaFor the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things... 131
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 22/11/2025healthinnovationeast.co.uk/marthas-rule...healthinnovationeast.co.ukMartha’s Rule in action – a patient’s storyElaine and Diane share their experience of calling Martha's Rule into action 020
Reposted by Paul LaityNick Schindler @drnickschindler.bsky.social · 04/10/2025I 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 251
Reposted by Paul LaityHelen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 04/10/2025As 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/ 131
Reposted by Paul LaityLondon 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.ukPaul Laity · After MarthaFor the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things... 02312
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 25/09/2025The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025: the Winners! www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2025/se...londonreviewbookshop.co.ukThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025: the Winners! | London Review BookshopIn 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… 040
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.ukPaul Laity · After MarthaFor the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things... 23626
Reposted by Paul LaityHelen Haskell @hhask.bsky.social · 04/09/2025Martha's rule rolled out to all acute hospitals in England www.bbc.com/news/article...bbc.comMartha's rule rolled out to all acute hospitals in EnglandHundreds of patients have been helped by rule, which makes it easier to get an urgent second opinion. 042
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/08/2025A terrific piece www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukThomas Jones · Lunch with Mussolini: Ferrari Speeds AheadI’d been told in no uncertain terms at the ‘technical briefing’, even if you think you’re a good driver, even if... 040
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 30/05/2025Deadline a week today. The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...londonreviewbookshop.co.ukThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 | London Review BookshopThe 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… 012
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 19/05/2025www.theguardian.com/society/2025...theguardian.comSenior doctor accused of failures in case that gave rise to Martha’s ruleProf Richard Thompson accused of wrongly failing to escalate care of Martha Mills, 13, before she died of sepsis 031
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. 041
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 26/03/2025Hugely entertaining Kippers and Champagne www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukDaniel Cohen · Kippers and Champagne: Barclay and BarclayThe story of the Barclay brothers’ rise is ‘the story of modern Britain’, and they were certainly creatures of the... 042
Reposted by Paul LaityLRB Bookshop @londonreviewbookshop.co.uk · 13/03/2025We’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/1m3lrb.meThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 | London Review BookshopThe 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 · 13/03/2025Calling 11-14 year-olds in the UK. Please spread the word. www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...londonreviewbookshop.co.ukThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize 2025 | London Review BookshopThe 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 · 11/03/2025www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukHelen Sullivan · Diary: Trapped in the MineGcina Lepheana had been working deep in the illegal mine for five months when, in October last year, deliveries stopped... 000
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 02/03/2025www.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 000
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.comFamilies of Nottingham stabbing victims demand answers from investigationRelatives of those killed say that the independent police investigation is stonewalling their questions relating to discrepancies in an officer’s statement 000
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.comCovid inquiry to hear evidence about Michelle Mone-linked firm in privateChair rules that details about PPE contracts given to company linked to Tory peer will be heard in closed session 000
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 23/02/2025www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...thetimes.comSurgeons accused of racism, bullying and toxic power struggleAn investigation into the facial trauma unit at Barts Health NHS Trust says a corrosive culture of competition and bigotry led to patients being harmed 020
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 21/02/2025www.theguardian.com/society/2025...theguardian.comNHS failings and lawyers have destroyed memories of our baby, say parentsAfter a two-week inquest into the death of their son Ben in 2015, Jenny and Allyn Condon say the pain is even worse 000
Reposted by Paul LaityAnnie G @anniegoss.bsky.social · 01/01/2025Happy 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.comMother behind Martha's Rule shares scheme's early success - BBC NewsMerope Mills began her campaign after an inquest found a change of hospital care plan could have saved her daughter's life. 042
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 17/12/2024From 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.” 060
Paul Laity @paullaity.bsky.social · 17/12/2024www.theguardian.com/society/2024...theguardian.comMartha’s rule having ‘transformative effect’, NHS England data showsMother of girl who died in 2021 reveals figures on Today programme that are welcomed by national medical director 060