BackA new report by the Health Service Ombudsman, published on World Sepsis Day (13 September), reveals not enough is being done to save the lives of sepsis patients. 37,000 patients die of sepsis each year. The report highlights significant failings in the diagnosis and treatment of severe sepsis.
It focuses on ten cases investigated by the Ombudsman where patients did not receive the treatment they urgently needed. In every case, tragically, the patient died.
The stories in this report are of patients ranging from eight to 80 years of age, showing how severe sepsis can strike at any time. They highlight shortcomings in initial assessment and delay in emergency treatment which has led to missed opportunities to save lives.
Complainants highlighted the need for change in the NHS care and treatment of patients:
- One complainant said: "Another family must never again experience what we have. This would be a fitting legacy";
- Another complainant commented: "Mum would have wanted something to be learned by this and for this not to happen to others."
The Health Service Ombudsman, Julie Mellor, said: "In the cases in our report, sadly, all patients died. In some of these cases, with better care and treatment, they may have survived. It is time for the NHS to act to save lives by improving the care of patients with sepsis. We have worked closely with NHS England, NICE, UK Sepsis Trust and Royal Colleges to find solutions to the issues identified in our report. NICE and NHS England have already agreed to take forward the recommendations of our report.”
For more information please visit the website of the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman.
Source: Office of the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman, UK
