I think it is fair to say that whilst many of us recognise sepsis as a serious condition, most people do not understand the real danger it poses and how often it is mistaken for another illness. The cases of both my constituent, Abbi Hickson, and my friend, Craig Mackinlay, the former MP for South Thanet, have shown just how serious sepsis can be and the life changing impact it can have. Hearing both of their stories was what compelled me to lead my own Westminster Hall debate on sepsis. I was grateful to have the opportunity to do this on the 9th of October, as it is so important we raise greater awareness of this life-threatening condition.
It is estimated that sepsis kills nearly 50,000 people each year in the UK and claims more lives than lung, bowel, breast, and prostate cancer combined. These are truly staggering statistics which illustrate the scale of the problem, as well as how common it is. Sepsis Research, a charity set up by a sepsis survivor, describes the condition astutely as ‘indiscriminate, shockingly common and potentially devastating’. Sepsis is often confused for other conditions because the symptoms are common to a lot of other illnesses, but it is clear from cases like Abbi’s and Craig’s that sepsis can develop rapidly and from nowhere. It is paramount that NHS workers are trained to consider sepsis if someone shows any of the following symptoms: a very low or high temperature, uncontrolled shivering, and confusion.
Abbi’s world was completely rocked when she contracted sepsis in November 2022. One day she went from a fit and able mother of two, to a quadruple amputee learning how to live her life in a very different way. This is not something that many of us could ever imagine happening. Even though only roughly 1% of sepsis survivors undergo surgical amputations, the general statistics about the condition demonstrate just how prevalent it is.
I am glad that colleagues across the political spectrum were able to join me in raising awareness of sepsis at the Westminster Hall debate. Like any other life-threatening illness, this is a cross party issue that we all care about and that can fundamentally affect us all. I was glad to hear that Minister Andrew Gwynne, responsible for Public Health and Prevention in the Department for Health and Social Care, also agreed with this sentiment. I very much welcomed the support that he extended to me, in working together to raise greater awareness of this wicked illness.
When it comes to healthcare, I think we can agree that it is important we do all we can to prevent and target this infection when it arises. As I said in the debate, despite the shocking statistics of sepsis and how widespread it is, most of us would struggle to define what it is if we were stopped in the street. This is a problem that we need to address if we are to prevent more people suffering. We must do more as a society to educate one another of the symptoms, and the Government must make it an utmost priority that NHS staff are trained to ‘think sepsis’ as a first port of call.
Raising awareness of sepsis is close to my heart. I have spoken openly about my wife, Sinead, and the many health issues she has battled and continues to battle. She has contracted sepsis twice and both times were terrifying moments for our family. Seeing how quickly it can develop is truly shocking. It is clear from the many stories I have heard that sepsis is a silent killer that we need to start taking seriously. For years, we have become used to seeing various adverts on our television, illustrating the warning signs of a stroke or cancer, but I am yet to see one about sepsis. This needs to change. I will continue to do my part in raising awareness of sepsis and ensuring that a national campaign is established.
Sepsis the silent killer that we need to start taking seriously
