During your hospital stay, you will see Call 4 Concern posters and information around our St James and Leeds General Infirmary hospital sites, making you and your family or carers aware of the support available to you if there is a noticeable worsening in your condition.
Call 4 Concern is linked to Martha’s Rule, a patient safety critical care initiative from NHS England that allows patients, families, and carers to request a rapid review if they have concerns about a patient’s condition.
The initiative is intended to improve communication and responsiveness in hospitals, with Leeds part of a pilot programme together with other hospitals in the country.
Call directly on our dedicated Call 4 Concern line:
When should I make a call?
You can call if you are worried that you, or your relative or friend is becoming more unwell despite treatment. In the first instance you should raise your concerns with the ward nurses and doctors.
If you feel that your concerns have not been addressed appropriately or you have any on-going concerns after you have spoken to the ward nurse or doctor, then you should contact Call 4 Concern.
What things might make me Call 4 Concern?
Some changes that you may notice before anyone else
- The patient seems different to usual (not themselves)
- Breathing differently
- Sweating or unusual skin colour
- Reduced urine output or not passing urine
- More sleepy than usual or confused
- Hands feel cold or very hot
- In pain and looks uncomfortable
- You are worried about their condition.
After prioritising the urgency of the problem, the team will visit the ward to discuss your concerns. The Critical Care Outreach Team will liaise with the patient’s medical team and instigate treatment or further review if necessary.
When should I not make a call?
Call 4 Concern is only for concerns about unwell patients who require an urgent clinical response. For any general concerns, for example, nursing care, facilities, complaints, please speak to the ward nurses or ward manager. You can also contact the matron to discuss any issues further.
Additional contact information
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) supports patients, carers and relatives who wish to raise concerns or share compliments. PALS works closely with those who contact them, and CSUs, to ensure concerns are responded to as soon as possible.
How to contact PALS
More about Martha’s Rule
The national initiative is named after Martha Mills, a 13-year-old girl who died from sepsis in 2021 after her family raised concerns about her condition.
The initiative has three main components:
• 24/7 rapid review: All staff and patients, families, carers, and advocates can contact a critical care outreach team at any time.
• Daily health information: Clinicians will record daily information about a patient’s health directly from them or their families.
• Escalation process: Staff can use the 24/7 escalation process to raise concerns.