Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Newton Excerpts

Tuesday 24th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Dr Poulter]

There is certainly a lot of benefit from having general practice co-located alongside A and E so that people with more minor ailments or concerns can be seen by GPs. That can often take the pressure off A and E services, but more senior expertise is also on hand when required.

[Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend update the House on what steps he is taking to prevent avoidable deaths from sepsis?

[Mr Jeremy Hunt]

I am absolutely happy to do that. Overall, we have 1,000 avoidable deaths every month by some estimates, and a number of those are from sepsis. We have launched a big campaign to prevent those deaths. Indeed, we will shortly have the results of the Morecambe Bay inquiry, from which I think we will hear more about the issue. I want to thank my hon. Friend for her campaigning and her work with the all-party group on sepsis to raise awareness of this very important issue.