Martyn’s Law: what healthcare estates and facilities teams need to know

Published: 12-Feb-2026

Harry Harrold, Director at H Harrold & Sons, explains what Martyn’s Law means for healthcare estates, why exit hardware deserves greater attention and how organisations can prepare for implementation

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Martyn’s Law, formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, brings renewed focus to how publicly accessible buildings are expected to prepare for high-pressure incidents. 

For hospitals, health centres and outpatient facilities, the implications are particularly significant.

Healthcare estates represent some of the most complex public environments in the UK. 

They operate around the clock, accommodate high footfall, and are inherently difficult to control, with a continuous flow of patients, visitors, contractors and staff.

While much of the early discussion surrounding Martyn’s Law has centred on risk assessments and procedural readiness, the physical infrastructure that supports safe movement and evacuation warrants equal attention.

In healthcare settings, where patient safety, dignity and continuity of care are paramount, estates and facilities teams play a critical role in ensuring that buildings behave predictably when pressure is high.

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