Sandwell NHS trust shortlisted for national patient safety award
Martha’s Rule initiative earns national award shortlisting
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has been shortlisted for a national award for its work giving patients and families a stronger voice in their care.
The trust has been named a finalist in the Nursing Led Patient Safety Initiative of the Year category at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026.
The recognition is for its introduction of the Patient Wellness Questionnaire (PWQ) as part of Martha’s Rule – a national patient safety initiative designed to ensure patients, families and carers can raise concerns if they feel a patient’s condition is deteriorating.
Martha’s Rule gives patients and families the ability to seek an urgent review if they are worried about a patient’s condition and feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
The Patient Wellness Questionnaire is used during patient interactions to ask whether people feel better, worse or the same and whether they have noticed any changes in their condition.
Responses are considered alongside clinical observations, helping staff build a fuller picture of a patient’s health. Where concerns are raised, they can be escalated for further review and intervention.
The trust said patients and families can sometimes spot subtle changes in a person's condition before they are reflected in routine monitoring.
Leo Davis, lead for Martha’s Rule and the Deteriorating Patient Programme Delivery, said the shortlisting recognised the work of colleagues across the trust.
He said: “Being shortlisted for a national HSJ Patient Safety Award is testament to the hard work, commitment and passion shown by colleagues across the Trust.
“Martha’s Rule is about ensuring patients and families are heard, empowered and supported when they have concerns about a loved one’s condition.”
Group chief executive Diane Wake said she was “incredibly proud” to see the work recognised nationally.
She said: “Martha’s Rule is fundamentally about listening to patients and families, taking their concerns seriously and ensuring they have a clear way to ask for further help when they feel something is not right.
“This shortlisting is thoroughly deserved recognition for Leo and everyone involved in embedding this work across the Trust, and I would like to congratulate the whole team on this achievement.”
The HSJ Patient Safety Awards recognise NHS organisations and teams making a difference to patient safety and experience, with awards celebrating innovation, leadership and best practice.