Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase awareness of sepsis prevention (a) nationally and (b) in each local NHS trust.

Sepsis has no specific diagnostic test and presentation can vary, making it difficult to diagnose. Early intervention can prevent further deterioration of acutely unwell patients, to help mitigate negative outcomes.

Recent evidence suggests that there is high awareness of sepsis among the general public. The Government and its Arm’s Length Bodies are therefore focused on improving the clinical awareness and recognition of sepsis by healthcare professionals, so that unwell and deteriorating patients are identified promptly and started on life-saving treatment. NHS England has launched several training programmes aimed at improving the diagnosis and early management of sepsis. These programmes are regularly reviewed and revised with support from subject matter experts, as new national sepsis guidance is implemented.

Individual National Health Service trusts may also choose to implement additional initiatives on sepsis locally. NHS England is leading the rollout of Martha’s Rule within 143 hospital sites by March 2025. Martha’s Rule will give staff, patients, and families the ability to initiate a rapid review for acute physiological deterioration, which will inform whether further actions are required to give the patient the most appropriate and safe care.