Paul Laity

San Francisco

Editing @lrb (again), after years as Guardian non-fic editor. Writing book on sandals, sunbaths, 'bearded fruit-juice drinkers'...

Featured in: Favicon

Articles

Re: Martha’s rule: What could the proposed changes mean for doctors?

Sep 22, 2023 | bmj.com | Merope Mills |Paul Laity

Dear Editor,We thank Geevithan Kumaran for engaging with Martha’s Rule, which is to be implemented across NHS England hospitals in the near future. We are Martha’s parents. A point of fact regarding his response: Martha’s sepsis, as has been documented, wasn't ‘unrecognised’.
Can I forgive myself for my daughter’s death?

Aug 26, 2023 | theguardian.com | Paul Laity

It’s been two years since my daughter, Martha, died in hospital, just before her 14th birthday. I divide my life into before her death, and after: nothing is the same and the change is permanent. Alongside Merope, Martha’s mum, I’m grappling with how to live. Consciously or not, we adjust a little more each day to our new reality, wondering: can we manage to appear “normal”? Is it possible to keep being friends with families and not be flayed by envy?