Figures from Sepsis UK Trust indicate that Sepsis kills 44,000 people every year in the UK, however with better awareness it could save 14,000 of those lives annually. Sepsis can occur as a result of any infection, this could range from having a urinary tract infection or a simple contaminated cut. If caught early enough, it can be treated, but sepsis is often initially mistaken for a flu or even a chest infection. However, if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can spread quickly round the body and lead to multiple organ failure and subsequently death.

BBC Panoroma report that 37% of patients that need antibiotics for sepsis are not getting them within the hour that it is required. Figures from 104 trusts seen by BBC Panorama show 78% of eligible patients are being screened and 63% are getting antibiotics within one hour.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said to BBC Panorama: “There are preventable deaths happening but we’re bringing them down and I think that the picture is much improved from two years ago. but there’s a long way to go.

“Safety is at the top of the NHS’s in-tray… and sepsis is, if you like, a litmus test as to whether we’re getting there.

“And I would say that what it shows is that we are making progress but there is a lot more work to do.”

Moosa-Duke Solicitors are specialists in all aspects of clinical negligence matters and have a specialist experience of dealing with claims involving vulnerable clients. If you have concerns regarding the care or treatment that you have received, please contact us on 0116 254 7456 for a no obligation conversation.