A woman whose mother died from sepsis on Christmas Day last year is supporting a national campaign about the devastating illness to help save the lives of others. The campaign is seeking to raise awareness about its symptoms which are similar to flu so it can be diagnosed swiftly and treated in time.

Sepsis, previously known as septicaemia, is blood poisoning which occurs following an infection. Rhian Oliver’s mother, also from Skipton, was 64 when she died suddenly following a urinary tract infection.

Rhian, whose mother Hilary Lovell, died aged 64, said Christmas Day hadn’t started brilliantly for the family as her eldest daughter Phoebe had woken up with chicken pox, and she had been keen to show them to her nanny.

Rhian, from Skipton, says: “I arrived at the hospital just as my dad and brother were coming down the corridor, my dad shaking his head and my brother John drip white. Disbelief was my initial reaction. I'd seen mum 24 hrs earlier and although she was ill, poorlier than I'd ever seen her before, it never crossed my mind that she might be dying. We all thought that mum had the flu and her GP had thought the same, and she had also been diagnosed with pleurisy on Christmas Eve, but it wasn't any of those. It was sepsis caused by a urinary tract infection.

“All our lives changed that day. For me, I'd lost my mum and my best friend; my husband lost his surrogate mum and my children lost the most wonderful and devoted nanny in the world, all in the space of six days. I'd never heard of sepsis before, and I only wish I knew a year ago what I know now, then perhaps my mum would still be here.

“It is vital that an early and correct diagnosis is made to help save lives from sepsis, and I totally support this campaign and urge everyone, medics and the public, to become familiar with the symptoms.”

The UK Sepsis Trust is petitioning the government to make sepsis a clinical priority by establishing it as a medical emergency. It believes this will save 10,000 of the 37,000 deaths caused each year by sepsis, and £170 million from the annual NHS budget.

Well known sufferers treated successfully include the pop singer Lily Allen and Lily-Rose, the young daughter of Hollywood star Johnny Depp.  Brazilian soccer legend Socrates died earlier this month from sepsis. 

Campaigners are urging healthcare professionals to screen for sepsis when examining patients with severe flu-like symptoms, most prevalent in winter months. When sepsis is suspected, it is recommend that their Sepsis Six treatment plan is carried out within one hour as a routine emergency process.

Dr Ron Daniels, who works in the Intensive Therapy Unit at the Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham, and chairs UK Sepsis, urges vigilance among medics:

“Our e-petition has had tremendous support and been signed by more than 1,200 people, including medics, patients and their families. We strenuously plead with Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to make a commitment to ensure that all patients with sepsis get access to the rapid care they need in an emergency. This will require a co-ordinated national response, including strategies to heighten awareness and investment in the development of seamless care pathways from home to hospital.

“Sepsis claims 37,000 lives annually in the UK - more than breast, bowel and prostate cancers combined, with the majority of cases in the community.  We know that simple, timely interventions, including antibiotics and intravenous fluids, can dramatically reduce the risk of dying by up to one half, yet these are delivered in fewer than 1 in 7 cases in the UK. Early sepsis treatment is cost effective, reducing hospital and critical care bed days for patients, as well as saving lives.”

Dr Daniels said it is crucial that the public become familiar with the symptoms of sepsis so they can alert their doctor about it. He says:

“If a person has two or more of a very high (or very low) temperature, a racing heart beat, rapid shallow breathing, or confusion then they may have sepsis. They should seek medical advice if at all concerned. It is often difficult to distinguish sepsis from ‘flu. However, if any of these features exist and the skin is cool, pale or mottled, the patient has lost consciousness or has not passed water for more than 18 hours then the patient needs to be taken to hospital as soon as possible. Tests should help to make the diagnosis.

He added: “Hilary's death was a very tragic loss. Every fatality from sepsis is a tragic loss. We need to inform the general public, as well as medics, about the warning signs, and I believe that every emergency centre in the UK should follow our Sepsis Six plan so they can make that crucial early difference.”

The Sepsis Six treatment pathway is as follows:

1.     Give high flow oxygen

2.     Take blood cultures

3.     Give IV antibiotics

4.     Start IV fluid resuscitation

5.     Check lactate

6.     Monitor accurate hourly urine output