Monday 13th September marks World Sepsis Day where organisations and patient groups around the globe are coming together to draw attention to the devastating impact of the 47 to 50 million Sepsis cases which cause 11 million deaths worldwide each year. Sepsis – the life-threatening body response to an infection – also affects 52% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 78% of those in ICU.

Sepsis is also part of a much wider group of Infections that are primarily acquired during stays in hospital, which research published by the British Medical Journal estimates contribute to the deaths of over 22,000 patients in NHS hospitals each year. 650,000 NHS patients are also estimated to suffer from an infection acquired whilst in hospital at a cost of £2.1 billion to taxpayers each year.

In its five-year national action plan the Government commits to halving healthcare associated Gram-negative blood stream infections by 2024. However, since its publication the Government has given very few updates reaffirming its commitment to this target or outlining progress towards the achievement of this goal.

Today, as part of World Sepsis Day Grahame Morris has added their signature to a Call To Action which seeks to hold the Government to account for the commitments it has previously made around hospital acquired infections.

Speaking on World Sepsis Day Grahame Morris MP said:

“Hospital Acquired Infections are a devastating cause of the loss of life in England, the UK and around the world. They also represent a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of our NHS and care staff who have sacrificed and risked so much throughout the COVID19 pandemic. HAIs also represent a significant barrier to making sure that every NHS hospital bed is available to those patients that need them most. Therefore, I am calling on the UK Government to recommit to halving the number of Hospital associated Gram-negative blood stream infections by 2024 to ensure that lives are saved and NHS staff are protected from harm wherever possible”