The government has today launched a new framework aiming to cut the number of people dying from sepsis by a quarter by 2035.
Sepsis affects around 245,000 people in the UK every year, including at least 154,000 emergency admissions and more than 40,000 deaths in England 2024-25, according to NHS data.
“For nurses, the framework reinforces the importance of keeping knowledge and skills up to date”
Alexandra Cundy
In addition, sepsis can have very serious long-term consequences for survivors with 82% experiencing post-sepsis syndrome more than a year after hospital discharge and 18% permanently unable to work, according to figures from charity the UK Sepsis Trust.
A report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published in 2023 found that too many lives were being claimed by sepsis, due to failings in hospitals.
The new modern services framework for sepsis, published today by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, outlines a 10-year plan to transform sepsis care.
It aims to reduce deaths, life-changing complications and the long-term impact of sepsis by at least 25% over the next decade through improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, research and innovation.
A key focus of the framework will be tackling health inequalities that currently mean some patient groups face significantly poorer outcomes in sepsis care because of disparities in access to care, diagnosis and treatment.
Babies, older people and people with a serious mental illness are at higher risk of sepsis, as are people on immunosuppressive treatments, such as some cancer patients and people from more deprived areas and those experiencing homelessness.
The framework sets six priorities for improving sepsis outcomes in the NHS. These include taking a more personalised approach, identifying people at risk earlier and tailoring prevention, treatment and support through recovery to ensure improved outcomes and reduce inequalities.
Increased awareness of sepsis itself is another overall priority cited by the framework, including through improvements to staff training and public education programme.
For example, training in sepsis identification, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance and acute deterioration for all NHS and social care staff working across both physical and mental health.
Likewise, prevention of sepsis was a priority earmarked by the framework, focusing on reducing infection risk to prevent infections developing into sepsis.
This will include increasing vaccination coverage and uptake to reduce sickness and infections from preventable diseases that can lead to sepsis.
Improved early identification of patients with infections that are progressing to sepsis was another priority named in the framework.
This will require faster and more accurate diagnostic tests that can identify whether a patient has an infection, which pathogen is responsible for the infection and what antibiotic drugs should be used to treat it, the framework said.
Escalation of care was cited in the framework too, with a need for better processes for identifying deteriorating patients and ensuring they receive timely access to the care they need.
Improved management was particularly needed in community settings, according to the new framework.
It highlighted the importance of existing early warning systems for sepsis, and includes recommendations around using new wearable technologies for identifying patients who are deteriorating.
These devices measure heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and other clinical signs of sepsis and will alert staff if a patient is deteriorating and requires a rapid review, and antibiotic treatment.
Meanwhile, the final priority was providing timely, appropriate and effective responses to sepsis, including supporting patients through the acute illness onto longer-term recovery and rehabilitation.
The deputy medical director at NHS England, Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, said: “Every year, sepsis causes of tens of thousands of deaths, and leaves thousands more with long-term disabilities.
“It’s vital the NHS has an ambitious plan to reduce this harm over the next decade,” said Professor Moonesinghe.
She added: “Key to tackling sepsis is catching it early – the longer sepsis goes undetected the less chance a person has to survive or make a full recovery.
“That’s why the NHS will be trialling new wearable devices that will allow people’s vital signs to be monitored at home – so that if they deteriorate, they can get tested and treated faster,” she said.
Alexandra Cundy, clinical development lead at the UK Sepsis Trust, said the framework provided an important strategic focus on preventing sepsis, recognising it earlier and ensuring patients receive timely, effective care.
“By strengthening training, clinical pathways and the systems that support frontline staff, it has the potential to equip nurses with the resources to consistently deliver the high-quality, evidence-based care patients deserve, wherever they are treated,” Ms Cundy said.
She added: “For nurses, the framework reinforces the importance of keeping knowledge and skills up to date, working closely with local sepsis and infection prevention teams and sharing learning, to drive continuous improvements in patient safety.
“It also rightly recognises that recovery does not end at hospital discharge, placing welcome emphasis on rehabilitation and post-sepsis support so nurses can continue to play a vital role in helping survivors achieve the best possible long-term outcomes,” she said.
