BARROW's MP Simon Fell is calling for more awareness of a life-threatening infection in the wake of World Sepsis Day.

WSD is where organisations and patient groups around the globe are coming together to draw attention to the devastating impact of the 47 to 50 million Sepsis cases which cause 11 million deaths worldwide each year. Sepsis - the life-threatening body response to an infection – also affects 52 per cent of hospitalised Covid-19 patients and 78 per cent of those in ICU.

Sepsis is also part of a much wider group of Infections that are primarily acquired during stays in hospital, which research published by the British Medical Journal estimates contribute to the deaths of over 22,000 patients in NHS hospitals each year. 650,000 NHS patients are also estimated to suffer from an infection acquired whilst in hospital at a cost of £2.1 billion to taxpayers each year.

In its five-year national action plan the Government commits to halving healthcare associated Gram-negative blood stream infections by 2024.

Today, as part of World Sepsis Day, Simon Fell MP has raised the issue of Sepsis as a priority, calling on the government to meet its commitments.

Speaking on World Sepsis Day, Mr Fell said: “Sepsis is a terrible issue. Anyone who has had sepsis – or knows someone who has – recognises how quickly it can come on, and the devastating impact it can have.

"My son went into septic shock 18 months ago, and it was only because we acted quickly and because of the amazing doctors and nurses who cared for him that he is alive today.

“Hospital Acquired Infections are a devastating cause of the loss of life in Furness, the UK and around the world. They also represent a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of our NHS and care staff who have sacrificed and risked so much throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

"HAIs also represent a significant barrier to making sure that every NHS hospital bed is available to those patients that need them most. Therefore, I am calling on the UK Government to recommit to halving the number of Hospital associated Gram-negative blood stream infections by 2024 to ensure that lives are saved and NHS staff are protected from harm wherever possible.”