On returning from holiday In September 2018, Our father was admitted to St John's Hospital, Livingston  with an ear infection that was increasingly difficult to manage at home. 
Over the following days , Despite our repeated attempts to alert the hospital staff as his condition deteriorated , our concerns were continually overlooked, leading tragically to his  unexpected death just hours after being reassured that he would be reviewed.

 My father was a much loved Husband , father , grandfather , brother, uncle ,friend to many people not just an ordinary man; he was a well respected Union convenor for Mears Group, and he served as the chairman of the Executive Council representing construction. His commitment to his community and his work was unwavering, and it is in his memory that I am calling for action.

This petition urges the Scottish Parliament to compel the Scottish Government to fully implement Martha's Rule across all NHS hospitals in Scotland. Martha's Rule provides a crucial safety net by ensuring that concerned patients' families, caregivers, and staff can access an independent clinical review 24/7 when they believe a patient's condition is not being effectively addressed. Implementing this rule nationwide is not just a theoretical improvement; it has been shown to save lives. Statistics from NHS England reveal that 1 in 5 reviews under Martha's Rule result in critical changes to patient care, potentially preventing countless unnecessary deaths.

Despite its proven effectiveness, Martha's Rule has not yet been rolled out in Scotland. It's imperative that we have a clear and committed timetable for its implementation to reassure and protect the Scottish public. This procedure can ensure that our NHS hospitals operate with increased accountability and responsiveness, particularly in times of acute medical crises. The right to independent, prompt, and comprehensive medical reviews should be universally accessible to safeguard against tragic outcomes like my father's.

Real change requires action. Scotland must follow the tried and tested model of Martha's Rule to ensure all patients receive the care they need, when they need it. Every family should feel confident that their concerns are being listened to and acted upon in our healthcare system. It is time for the Scottish Government to make this life-saving change.

I implore you to sign this petition, which seeks not only to honor my father's legacy and protect patients and families from enduring similar heartbreak in silence, but also to bolster the trust and safety of everyone who relies on the NHS in Scotland.