Source: NHS England published on this website Tuesday 22 September 2026 by Jill Powell

Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative to support the early detection of deterioration by ensuring the concerns of patients, families, carers and staff are listened to and acted upon.

It has been developed in response to the death of Martha Mills and other cases related to the management of deterioration. Central to Martha’s Rule is the right for patients, families and carers to request a rapid review if they are worried that a patient’s condition is getting worse and their concerns are not being responded to.

NHS trusts are working hard to put Martha’s Rule in place in all acute inpatient settings. While it is not available everywhere yet, implementation in adult and paediatric inpatient settings is expected to be complete during 2026/27. More details are available in the Implementing Martha’s Rule section below.

If you or a person you care for are admitted to hospital, you can check whether Martha’s Rule is available by:

• visiting the trust’s website
• asking staff on the ward

Martha’s story

Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike. 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 clinical deterioration, the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England committed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’ across the NHS.

To find out more

Source: Ministry of Defence published on this site Friday 18 September 2026 by Jill Powell

Defence Secretary Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP said:

“No family should have to go through the loss that Jaysley-Louise’s family are having to deal with every single day. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. I commend the bravery and determination they have shown in pursuing the change needed in our Armed Forces.

“Every person who serves in our Armed Forces is owed a duty of care, and all have a responsibility to uphold standards of behaviour befitting the uniform they wear.

“The Army has accepted all of the findings identified by the Service Inquiry and responded to the recommendations to improve Service life across its culture, policies, and practices.

“While significant reforms have been introduced since Jaysley-Louise’s tragic death, including commissioning the first-ever Armed Forces sexualised behaviour and sexual harassment survey, appointing the first Armed Forces Commissioner, and strengthening the Victim Witness Care Unit and Defence Serious Crime Command, there is more to do.

“I am deeply committed to improving how complaints and crimes are reported and investigated. Service personnel must have confidence that unacceptable and criminal behaviour will be tackled, that concerns will be acted upon, and that they will be supported when they come forward. Jaysley-Louise’s family have my commitment that I will continue to drive the changes needed to ensure every voice is heard.

“I encourage anyone who has experienced a sexual offence to seek support and report it. Information on reporting options, specialist support services and help available within and outside Defence can be found on the Defence support: sexual offences guidance on GOV.UK.”

Brigadier Melissa Emmett, Head of Army Personnel Services Group (APSG), speaking on behalf of the Chief of the General Staff and the Army, said:  

“To Jaysley-Louise’s family, we remain deeply sorry for the circumstances surrounding her death, and reiterate my and the Army’s deepest condolences to you, her family, and to her friends.

“The conclusion of this independent court martial brings the legal process in this case to an end., We recognise the impact that this process has had on all those involved and that there is no outcome that will lessen the profound loss Jaysley-Louise’s family continues to live with every day.  

“In the years since Jaysley-Louise’s untimely death, the Army has acted on the findings of the service inquiry, the inquest, and subsequent investigations as we seek to drive improvements to our culture. We are raising expectations of behaviour, strengthening leadership at every level, and improving the way concerns are reported and addressed. Our focus is on creating an environment where people feel confident and safe to speak up, where reports of unacceptable or criminal behaviour are taken seriously, and where prompt and appropriate action follows.

“Those personnel who have been subject to these proceedings will continue to receive all appropriate “support and must be enabled to return to duties as serving members of the Army.

We are determined to build a culture founded on respect, trust and accountability, and to continue our work to stamp out abuse and unacceptable behaviour affecting our people. We encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of a crime to report it to the police.”

Source: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Parents and carers across England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are being encouraged to take an additional safeguarding step when hiring self-employed workers and personal employees, as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) launches its new Every Check Helps public awareness campaign.

The campaign aims to help parents and carers understand what information may be available when employing someone such as a tutor, sports coach, music teacher, personal assistant or carer, and how that information can support safer recruitment and safeguarding decisions.

The campaign follows legislative changes introduced in January 2026, which enabled eligible self-employed workers and personal employees to apply for Enhanced DBS checks and, where eligible, Enhanced DBS checks with Children’s and/or Adults’ Barred List checks for the first time.

Research and stakeholder insight identified that many parents and carers are unaware that eligible self-employed workers can obtain an Enhanced DBS check, and some may feel unsure about asking to see one when making recruitment decisions. The campaign aims to increase awareness, understanding and confidence among parents and carers, helping them make safer and more informed choices.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple message: “They can get a DBS check. You can ask to see it.” The campaign encourages parents and carers to consider DBS information as one part of a wider decision-making process when choosing someone to work with their child or vulnerable family member.

Importantly, parents and carers cannot apply for a DBS check on behalf of someone else. Where eligible, self-employed workers and personal employees must apply themselves through a DBS Umbrella Body. Parents and carers can then ask whether an individual has a DBS certificate and whether they are willing to share it.

Alongside the campaign, DBS has published guidance explaining what parents and carers should look for when viewing a DBS certificate, including checking they are seeing the original certificate, confirming it relates to the correct workforce, checking the certificate issue date and understanding how the DBS Update Service may provide additional reassurance.

The guidance is designed to help parents and carers better understand what they can do, what they should look for on a DBS certificate and how DBS information can be considered alongside other recruitment and safeguarding considerations.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Satvir Kaur said:

“As a mother, I know how important it is to feel confident about the people we trust with our children. 

“With self-employed people who work with children now able to get enhanced checks, parents and carers will have options to make the safest choice for their families.

“It’s part of this Government’s ongoing work to keep children safe, backed by record funding and stronger laws.”

Susie Blamire, Associate Director – Strategic Lead for Safeguarding at DBS said: 

“The introduction of Enhanced DBS checks for eligible self-employed workers is an important step forward. It means that tutors, coaches, music teachers, carers and others working independently can now provide additional safeguarding information.

“A DBS certificate is only one part of the picture, but it can be a valuable part. It should be considered alongside references, recommendations, qualifications, experience, and personal judgement to help build a fuller understanding of an individual’s suitability.

“Every question asked and every piece of information considered can contribute to safer decisions and better protection for children and vulnerable people.”

Parents and carers are encouraged to review the guidance on GOV.UK to better understand what DBS information may be available, how it can support informed decision-making and what to look for when someone chooses to share a DBS certificate.

Background

• From 21 January 2026, eligible self-employed workers and personal employees became able to apply for Enhanced DBS checks and, where eligible, Enhanced DBS checks with Children’s and/or Adults’ Barred List checks.
• The Every Check Helps campaign aims to help parents and carers make informed decisions when hiring individuals to work with their child or vulnerable family member.
• Parents and carers cannot apply for a DBS check on someone else’s behalf. Eligible individuals must apply themselves through a DBS Umbrella Body.
• An Enhanced DBS certificate should be considered alongside references, qualifications, experience, recommendations and personal judgement.
• Campaign resources include GOV.UK guidance, a parent and carer leaflet, partner communications materials and practical advice on what to check when viewing a DBS certificate.

Further support

• A guide for parents and carers employing self-employed workers or personal employees
• Private individuals employing self-employed workers or personal employees
• DBS checks guidance for employers, voluntary organisations and third parties
• DBS identity checking guidelines
• DBS eligibility guidance
• DBS checks for self-employed people and personal employees
• Find a DBS Umbrella Body
• DBS Update Service guidance

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Thursday 17 September 2026

A former police officer has been jailed for misconduct in public office after he requested a sexually explicit video from a female suspect’s phone.

Paul Street, 41, a former sergeant with Cambridge Constabulary, was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in public office following a trial at the Old Bailey. He also previously pleaded guilty to two offences under the Data Protection Act 2018

Street was formerly based at Cambourne Police Station in 2021 and was leading a team focused on tackling county lines drug supply and organised crime.

During the trial, jurors heard how Street encouraged a toxic WhatsApp culture within his team, sharing abusive messages with fellow officers and using inflammatory language.  

Following an incident in April 2020, Street made derogatory comments about a 17-year-old detainee following his arrest and strip search. He encouraged the use of violence and recorded a video threatening to damage the family home of the teenager.

In October 2020, a woman was arrested and her mobile phone was examined by PC Josh Williams, 38, also of Cambridgeshire Constabulary. After being informed of the phone download, Street asked if there were any explicit images.

PC Williams shared an image showing the woman in her underwear and described a sexually intimate video. Street later asked to see the sexually explicit video from the device, saying he wanted to ‘show it to the lads at footy’.

PC Williams, of Huntingdon, pleaded guilty on 27 May 2025 to misconduct in public office.

Street also committed offences under the Data Protection Act by sharing screenshots from a police computer system with his then partner. These contained personal data relating to members of the public who had made complaints against him.

Today at the Old Bailey, Street was jailed for a total of four years, while PC Williams was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment. 

The prosecution followed an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Lisa Rose, Senior Specialist Prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division, said:

“This case exposed a sustained pattern of unacceptable conduct by a police officer who abused his position of trust. Paul Street repeatedly crossed clear professional boundaries, by encouraging the mistreatment of detainees and seeking access to intimate material that had no place in a criminal investigation.

“Police officers are entrusted with significant powers and are expected to uphold the highest standards at all times.  Members of the public should have confidence that any personal material obtained during an investigation will be handled lawfully and appropriately.

“The actions of Paul Street and Joshua Williams represented a serious breach of that trust.”