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Sepsis Awareness Month
15 September 2026
Lead MP
Mike Wood
Dudley South
Con
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHS
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Mike Wood raised concerns about sepsis awareness month in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Expresses gratitude to the Backbench Business Committee for granting time to debate sepsis and acknowledges the condition's devastating impact, highlighting that it claims more lives than lung cancer and represents the second biggest killer in hospitals after cardiovascular disease. Mike Wood shares his personal experience with sepsis and emphasises the need for rapid recognition, clinical escalation pathways, innovation in rapid diagnostics, and learning from international models and practices to reduce preventable deaths. He also calls for clear delivery timelines, rigorous parliamentary accountability, and financial backing to make the modern service framework a reality.
Points out the link between meningitis and sepsis, especially in children, and calls for the menB vaccine to be repeated for teenagers to reduce the risk of sepsis in young people.
Emphasises the importance of prevention and highlights the role of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in sepsis cases, advocating for better diagnostics and treatment for UTIs.
Jim Dickson
Con
Dartford
The hon. Member for Dartford paid tribute to John Snow, a constituent who developed sepsis and was hospitalised, eventually requiring a quadruple amputation. He highlighted the challenges John faced in receiving prosthetic support and the need for more data on sepsis to improve care. He also praised the work of Lord Mackinlay for raising awareness of sepsis and supporting patients like John. He called on the Minister to outline how the modern service framework will change the way the NHS supports sepsis survivors.
Julie Minns
SNP
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
The hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross shared the experience of her constituent Kelly Pattison, who developed biliary sepsis and was unaware of it until she woke up in intensive care. She emphasised the unpredictable nature of sepsis and the need for awareness beyond diagnosis. She welcomed the Government’s sepsis modern service framework, which aims to reduce deaths and complications by 25% by 2035. She also suggested looking at best practices from other countries, such as Australia, to improve sepsis care.
Danny Chambers
Con
Wealden
Pays tribute to the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire for highlighting his personal experience of sepsis. Emphasises that one in five deaths worldwide are associated with sepsis, noting the UK Sepsis Trust's modern service framework aims to reduce deaths by at least 25% over the next decade. Discusses the importance of rapid diagnostic tests for early detection and the need to reverse falling vaccination rates to prevent infections. Highlights the significant impact of sepsis on cancer patients, noting it is the second-biggest cause of death for people with cancer, and criticises the national cancer plan for not addressing infection prevention adequately. Requests the Government to update the national cancer strategy to incorporate infection control and rapid diagnostic tests as integral to cancer management.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Congratulates Mike Wood on securing the debate and expresses condolences to Ms Minns. Emphasises the importance of raising awareness of sepsis, mentioning the UK Sepsis Trust's 'Just ask ‘Could it be sepsis?’’ campaign and the previous Government's commitment to sepsis research with over £1 billion. Criticises the lack of a deliverable plan from the current Government to reduce sepsis deaths by 25% by 2035. Highlights the importance of early diagnosis, mentioning the rapid nature of sepsis and the need for rapid diagnostic tools. Questions the Government's delay in publishing the NHS workforce plan and inaction on the GBS3 trial. Advocates for vaccination, particularly for meningitis B, and raises concerns over the limited number of vaccinated university students.
Vikki Slade
unknown party
unknown constituency
Expresses gratitude to the shadow Minister for raising the issue of meningitis awareness. Mentions her son George and his girlfriend Maisie receiving meningitis vaccines and raises concerns about the Department for Education's lack of inclusion of meningitis awareness in the PSHE programme in secondary schools. Asks for support in advocating for this change.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
In her speech, Diana R. Johnson congratulated the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire on securing the debate and thanked Lord Mackinlay for his work on sepsis. She highlighted the contributions of several Members who spoke about their constituents' experiences with sepsis, including the impact on families and the need for better post-recovery support. Johnson emphasised the importance of the sepsis modern service framework and the Government's commitment to transforming sepsis care by 2035. She mentioned the need for better data collection to understand sepsis and the importance of raising public awareness. Johnson also discussed the national early warning score system, which helps to identify patients who are seriously ill, and the rollout of Martha's rule, which allows for rapid reviews if deterioration concerns are not being recognised. She highlighted the importance of vaccination and infection prevention and control in preventing sepsis, and the Government's commitment to improving access to post-discharge support and rehabilitation. Johnson responded to questions about funding and the commitment to reduce sepsis deaths by a quarter over the next 10 years.
Jim Dickson
Con
Dartford
The hon. Member for Dartford spoke movingly about his constituent John and the support his family received from the community. He stressed the importance of data and consistency in reporting sepsis cases.
Minns
Lab
Carlisle
The hon. Member for Carlisle spoke about her constituent Kelly and the different experiences people have with sepsis in terms of outcomes and lasting impact.
Vikki Slade
Con
Mid Dorset and North Poole
The hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole provided important insights and interventions during the debate.
Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
The hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent South contributed to the debate with important insights.
Wolverhampton North East
The hon. Member for Wolverhampton North East contributed to the debate with important insights.
Chambers
Lib Dem
Winchester
The Liberal Democrat spokesperson referred to the work of Ron Daniels in raising awareness of sepsis and the changes in the NHS's understanding and response to sepsis.
Johnson
Lab
Sleaford and North Hykeham
The shadow Minister spoke about the difficulty in diagnosing sepsis and the need for additional work in understanding and responding to prenatal strep and sepsis.
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