Follow the conference on X #DeterioratingPatient
“Supporting the NHS to manage acute physical deterioration not only saves lives and prevents patients from becoming increasingly unwell but can also reduce the length of a hospital stay allowing resources to be available to benefit other patients.”
NHS England 2025
“As many as 4,900 deaths in hospitals each year could be preventable”
NHS England CQUIN07: Recording of and appropriate response to NEWS2 score for unplanned critical care admissions, NHS England
This conference focuses on recognising and responding to the deteriorating patient, and ensuring best practice in the use of NEWS2. The conference will include national developments, including recommendations on NEWS2, the national PIER approach to the effective management of acute physical deterioration in health and care, the November 2025 NICE Sepsis Guidance, and implementation of Martha’s Rule. The conference will also include reflections on implementing the recommendations from the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch report Investigation into recognising and responding to critically unwell patients.
“The new PIER approach (Prevention, Identification, Escalation, Response) will enable the effective management of acute physical deterioration in health and care and will apply to all conditions, clinical settings and specialities. The new PIER approach views deterioration as a whole pathway which is supported by systems rather than only advocating a single strategy for identification... This work will improve how the NHS supports staff to manage the prevention of, and deterioration more effectively, as well as encourage greater involvement from patients, families, and carers.”
NHS England
The conference will include practical, case study based sessions on identifying patients at risk of deterioration, improving practice in patient observations, the role of human factors in responding to the deteriorating patient, understanding success factors in escalation, sepsis, involving patients and families in recognising deterioration, using clinical judgement, and improving the communication and use of NEWS2 in the community, including care homes, and at the interface of care.
The conference will update delegates on the practical implementation of Martha’s Rule, and how to monitor the impact it is having in practice with full implementation across all acute inpatient settings expected during 2026/7.
“Phase 1 of Martha’s Rule began in May 2024 and following positive results, is now being expanded to all remaining acute trusts in England, with full implementation across all acute inpatient settings expected during 2026/27.”
NHS England March 2026
“Between September 2024 and December 2025, 10,119 escalation calls were made to Martha’s Rule helplines.”
NHS England, March 2026
This conference will enable you to:
Network with colleagues who are working to improve the recognition and management of deteriorating patients
Learn from outstanding practice in improving care for deteriorating patients
Implement the recommendations from the HSSIB investigation into responding to critically unwell patients
Understand and implement the national PIER approach
Improve implementation, monitoring and learning from Martha’s Rule in practice
Reflect on national developments and learning, including the latest evidence on effective implementation of NEWS2
Understand the practicalities of involving patients and their families in the recognition of deterioration
Update your knowledge on the November 2025 NICE Sepsis Guideline: Suspected sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management
Develop your skills in identifying deteriorating patients
Understand which success factors facilitate escalation of care and how these can be applied more reliably
Ensure effective implementation of NEWS2
Understand how to work with clinical teams to create a common language and spread this across the whole health system
Self-assess, reflect, and expand your skills in the management of sepsis, and in communicating the risks to patients
Improve practice in the community and at the interface of care
Support CPD professional development and provide revalidation evidence. This course provides 5 hours’ training for CPD, subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes
