Report urges better recognition of sepsis

  • Date: 26 January 2016

AN NHS England report into the death of a young boy from septicaemia following a chest infection is urging better recognition of signs and symptoms of the condition by NHS staff.

The report on the 2014 death of William Mead from Cornwall – seen by the BBC News and Daily Mail – identified numerous missed opportunities to diagnose his condition by GPs and NHS 111 telephone advisers.

Lindsey Scott, director of nursing with NHS England in the South West, is quoted on the BBC News website, saying: "Everyone involved in this report is determined to make sure lessons are learned from William's death, so other families don't have to go through the same trauma."

She added that staff at the local NHS 111 service had since been given extra training to recognise when cases might be more complex and need referring up.

A range of clinical toolkits for doctors and other healthcare professionals can be found on the UK Sepsis Trust website.

New NICE guidelines on the recognition, diagnosis and management of severe sepsis are due out in July 2016.

This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.

Save this article

Save this article to a list of favourite articles which members can access in their account.

Save to library

Related Content

Medico-legal principles

Coroner's inquests

Consent checklist

For registration, or any login issues, please visit our login page.