Parents warned to check their babies for sepsis as NHS plans to wage war on deadly illness
NEW mothers will be warned to check their baby for signs of sepsis as the NHS plans to wage war on the deadly illness.
From today, a million leaflets will be handed out in casualty departments, GP surgeries and maternity wards.
The leaflets, which will be given to new parents and pregnant women, will tell them to “think sepsis” when symptoms appear.
As well as this, warnings on the illness will be added to the "red book" given to parents of newborns and all doctors and nurses will be trained to look for signs of the silent killer which claims around 44,000 lives a year.
Parents have been told to visit A&E immediately or call 999 if their child looks mottled, bluish or pale, is very lethargic or difficult to wake, feels abnormally cold to touch, is breathing very fast, has a rash that does not fade when you press it or has a fit or convulsion.
Yesterday Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Daily Mail: “By raising levels of public awareness, we’ll save lives in the future.
“The problem of sepsis is now every bit as urgent as meningitis.”
Sepsis occurs when a bacterial infection – such as septicaemia or blood poisoning – sparks a violent immune response in which the body attacks its own organs.
It is notoriously difficult to diagnose and life-saving antibiotics are often given too late.
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A staggering 45 per cent of Brits do not know the symptoms, despite sepsis affecting an estimated 200,000 people a year in the UK.
And its death toll is greater than that from breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.
Professor Paul Cosford, medical director at Public Health England, said: “We know that acting quickly in cases of sepsis can save a child’s life and it is important parents have the information to take action.
“This campaign gives parents vital information about sepsis, helps them identify the symptoms of sepsis and encourages them to seek the appropriate medical attention.
“It is important that these messages are widely received which is why I am writing with Sir Bruce Keogh to all NHS medical directors to highlight this campaign and the importance of making all staff aware of the signs of sepsis.”
Next year, the campaign is set to target adults with plans for warning signs on ambulances.
Hospitals who do not hit targets for the screening, testing and treatment of sepsis will be docked up to £2 million of their annual NHS funding.