What to do if you are worried a patient's health is getting worse: The Outreach Team
You know yourself or your loved one better than anyone. You may notice small changes before they show up in our routine measurements. We will also ask patients everyday whether they are feeling better or worse.
We see you as a partner in the care we are providing. Tell us when a change worries you.
The Outreach team offers support for relatives, carers and advocates who are worried about a patient's condition. They are a team of experienced senior Critical Care nurses who care for very sick patients.
They are available to be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for advice and clinical review.
You can find out more about the service they offer, how to contact them and what they are unable to help with below.
If you are worried that a patient's condition has significantly changed and is getting worse, this is what you should do.
- Talk to the staff looking after you or your loved one. Tell them know why you are worried. They may be able to answer your questions or find someone else who can.
- After talking to the ward team, you are still worried or feel your concerns are not being addressed, call the Outreach team for advice.
We know this is a worrying time for you. We are here to help.
Contact the hospital switchboard by phoning 02392 286000, then ask the operator to “Call Outreach on bleep 1676”.
When you’re put through, someone from Outreach will ask you a few short questions. This is to work out how quickly they need to come to the ward.
They may be able to offer advice over the phone instead.
You are not bothering us. We want to hear from you.
If you are worried about a child: Phone switchboard on 02392 286000 and ask to talk to the children's unit bleep holder.
Questions about medical care: The Outreach team is here to help with patients who are unwell and whose health is getting worse. If you have questions about future medical care, specific treatment or diagnosis then please talk to the ward medical team.
Questions about quality of care or other events during your hospital stay: Talk to the nurse in charge of the ward or contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) via phone 023 9228 6309 or email pho-tr.
Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital. Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha, aged 13, would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.
In response to this and other cases related to the management of deterioration, the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England committed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’ to ensure the vitally important concerns of the patient and those who know the patient best are listened to and acted upon.
Martha's Rule is about listening to you. Talk to us if you are worried.
Many hospitals in the country are developing ways of improving response to deteriorating patients. Outreach has been in place for many years at Queen Alexandra Hospital, and all staff are able to contact them if they have concerns about a deteriorating patient. Learning from the lessons that led to Martha's rule, we now have a process in place so that patients, families and carers can call outreach if they feel their concerns have not been responded to.
We at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust feel strongly about improving patient safety and are proud to offer this service to help protect our patients while they are in hospital.
You can find out more information on Martha's rule (NHS England website)
