ALL OUT WAR ON KILLER SEPSIS
After Mail campaign, SNP launches national publicity drive to beat the infection which kills one Scot every four hours
A CAMPAIGN to cut the toll of the ‘silent killer’ sepsis is to be launched by the Scottish Government today.
The condition kills one Scot every four hours – but a poll found nearly half of those living north of the Border would not know how to identify its symptoms. Today, Health Secretary Shona Robison will unveil a nationwide campaign to raise aware- ness of sepsis in a major victory for charities, survivors and the Scottish Daily Mail, which battled to get the Government involved.
She said: ‘Sepsis is an awful condition that if not spotted in time can kill, yet too many people don’t know the often silent symptoms.
‘I want that to change. I’ve reflected on the heartbreaking stories of Mail readers and believe a new awareness-raising campaign is
a sensible next step.’ Radio, print and social media adverts drawing attention to the signs and symptoms of sepsis will reach more than 1.3million Scots. Posters will be displayed in every high street pharmacy in the country.
The drive to cut deaths and lifechanging injuries from sepsis will also target healthcare professionals to help speed up diagnosis and treatment.
Yesterday the move, backed by £70,000 of government money, was welcomed by campaigners.
Miss Robison was forced into a U-turn last year after initially rejecting calls by campaigners for a government effort to educate the public.
She said that this newspaper’s coverage of the ‘awful consequences’ of the condition had led her to change her mind.
‘The Scottish Government is committed to raising awareness of the dangers of sepsis,’ she said. ‘One person every four hours dies
‘Campaign will be a game changer’ ‘Better care for sufferers’
as a result of sepsis, which is why it is so important this campaign will highlight the symptoms of this often silent and often deadly condition to millions of Scots.
‘While mortality rates from sepsis have fallen by 21 per cent since 2012, there is still more to be done and I am confident this campaign will play its part in equipping the public with a better understanding of the signs and symptoms.
‘We also support the Sock it to Sepsis campaign and take part in World Sepsis Day to raise the dangers to a public audience.
‘Yet the Mail’s coverage of the awful consequences of sepsis has reinforced to me that we need to go further.
‘I’ve reflected on tireless campaigners, like Craig Stobo from FEAT [Fiona Elizabeth Agnew Trust], and the views of MSPs from across the chamber and believe a new awareness-raising campaign is a sensible next step.
‘Our Scotland-wide campaign will help equip the public with a better understanding of the signs, leading in time to more lives being saved and better care for sepsis sufferers in Scotland.’
More than 20,000 Scots a year are struck down by the illness. Around 4,000 die, while others suffer life-changing consequences.
Sepsis is the serious complication of the body’s reaction to an infection – even a contaminated cut or insect bite.
The campaign will aim to raise awareness of the five main symptoms; a very high or low temperature, uncontrollable shivering, cold or blotchy hands or feet, not passing urine as frequently as usual and confusion.
As well organ failure and death, sepsis can hit the circulation, meaning patients may have to undergo amputations of hands, feet, legs or arms.
Widower Jim Robertson first urged Miss Robison to launch an awareness campaign last year following the death of his wife Liz. He lodged a petition – which was rejected and said that had his wife been diagnosed sooner she would not have died aged 61.
Yesterday, he welcomed Miss Robison’s announcement and said that thanks to the Scottish Daily Mail ‘good sense has prevailed’.
Mr Robertson said: ‘I sincerely believe that this initiative, if managed properly, will save lives.’
Sepsis is responsible for more deaths in the UK than from breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.
Despite this, last year an exclusive Scottish Daily Mail poll found only 55 per cent of Scots knew what sepsis is and were able to correctly describe it.
The new campaign is being delivered in a partnership between the Government and charities FEAT and Finding Your Feet. Craig Stobo, founder of FEAT, says it marks a ‘milestone’ in raising awareness of the condition, which led to the death of his wife, Fiona Agnew and unborn daughter.
Dr Agnew was 35 weeks’ pregnant with her second child when she became unwell, developed septic shock and died.
Mr Stobo said: ‘We have pressed for the need to raise awareness of this killer condition and are confident that this Scotland-wide campaign will be a game changer in increasing the public’s understanding of the symptoms of sepsis and the quick action needed to save lives.’
Miss Robison will officially launch the campaign at University Hospital Wishaw, in Lanarkshire, where a team of medics have developed an early warning system for the diagnosis of sepsis.
According to research, every hour someone with sepsis goes without antibiotics, the chance of dying increases.
Calum McGregor, NHS Lanarkshire consultant acute physician and national clinical lead for acute care with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: ‘Sepsis can be difficult to recognise and many of the symptoms can be attributed to other conditions.’
The Scottish Tories’ health spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘The awareness campaign in itself is welcome and could help thousands of Scots treat this potentially lethal infection in enough time to save their lives.’
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