During you or your child’s hospital stay, you will see posters and information about how to escalate concerns if your child’s condition seems to be getting worse or not improving as you expect. You will also receive a text message on admission to Leeds Children’s Hospital which also contains a link to this webpage for further information.
This work is part of a patient safety initiative that allows anyone, including patients, families and carers to request a rapid review. At Leeds Children’s Hospital we are proud to have had this process in place since 2020.
Our work with NHS England as part of a Martha’s Rule pilot programme aspires to improve communication and responsiveness in hospitals.
What do I do if I am worried my child is getting worse?
The first step you should take is to raise your concerns to the nurses and doctors involved in their care. If you feel that your concerns are ongoing or your child’s condition is getting worse, you can request a review from our Leeds Inpatient Outreach Nursing Service (LIONS).
Parents and carers can contact LIONS directly on their referrals line: 07920291731
When should I call?
You can call if you are worried that your child is becoming more unwell or not improving as you expect.
As a parent or carer you may notice that the child seems different to their normal self before anyone else does. Please raise these concerns – the team are here to listen and want to respond as quickly and effectively as we can.
LIONS – Leeds Inpatient Outreach Nursing Service
LIONS is our paediatric outreach service working within Leeds Children’s Hospital to support staff and parents caring for the sickest children across all wards and departments.
For more information about LIONS please click here.
Additional contact information
If your concerns are not relating to concerns of getting worse (deterioration),The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) supports patients, carers and relatives who wish to raise concerns or share compliments. PALS works closely with clinicians, patients and families to ensure concerns are responded to as soon as possible.