Campaigners demand better care for third biggest killer in hospitals

The new All Party Parliamentary Group on Sepsis is calling for much-improved efforts to treat the condition which it says claims 37,000 lives a year in the UK.

Sepsis is caused by the body’s extreme response to infections which can go on to trigger potentially fatal organ failure and septic shock.

There are more than 100,000 cases a year in England but a survey by the group found only 30 per cent of NHS trusts gave patients criticial antibiotics for severe sepsis within the first hour in hospital.

It said only five of 12 NHS trusts in Yorkshire record sepsis figures - the lowest of any region in the country.

Ron Daniels, co-author of the report and chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, said: “There is a pressing need to improve the way sepsis is recognised, recorded and reported.

“Sepsis is a frighteningly common condition accountable for as many admissions to hospital as heart attacks.

“Appropriate resources must be available to deliver immediate and ongoing care to patients and relatives.”

Tory MP Sarah Newton, chairman of the all party group, said: “Sepsis is a major killer and the first step to fighting it is recording it properly. There is huge room for improvement in how trusts record sepsis and sepsis deaths.

“The Government is committed to saving more lives from big killer diseases and bringing mortality rates down to compete with the best performing countries in Europe.

“We believe that concentrating on sepsis by implementing simple, practical measures can significantly contribute to that vision.”

The report recommends hospitals and ambulance services should develop better protocols for treatment and there should be improved recording of severe cases.