Charity and Scottish Government join forces to raise awareness of sepsis

More than 4000 people die from the condition every year in Scotland.

Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection spirals rapidly out of control, injuring its own tissues and organs.

Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death. It can kill a previously healthy adult or child in hours.

Sepsis Research FEAT hopes that its partnership with the Scottish Government will help to save lives by increasing public awareness of the life-threatening condition and how to recognise symptoms of the disease.

The five key symptoms which will be highlighted in the campaign are confusion, not passing as much urine as normal, very high or low temperature, uncontrolled shivering, and cold or blotchy arms and legs.

Sepsis Research FEAT: Sepsis symptoms

Colin Graham, chief operating officer at Sepsis Research FEAT, said: “Sepsis Research FEAT is proud to be working in partnership with the Scottish Government once again and to be leading on this important campaign.

“This year will see our largest campaign yet and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with the public this August.

“Analysis from our last partnership with the Scottish Government showed that campaign activity was increasing awareness of sepsis in Scotland but that continued work was required so more people could identify the five key symptoms.

“Expanding our joint campaign this year to include commercial broadcast channels will ensure that we reach a greater number of people and better educate them about the signs and symptoms of sepsis.

“It is a devastating condition that can kill a previously healthy adult or child in hours.

“The more people across the country who are able to spot the key symptoms of sepsis in themselves and others, the more lives will be saved.”

Sepsis Research FEAT previously worked with the Scottish Government on awareness campaigns in 2018 and 2019.

These campaigns, which included radio, print and social media, reached more than 1.3 million people across Scotland.

Planned joint campaigns for 2020 and 2021 were paused because of the Covid pandemic, though Sepsis Research FEAT continued its awareness raising work independently.

This latest partnership between Sepsis Research FEAT and the Scottish Government will build on the success of the previous campaigns with a Scotland-wide multimedia campaign, which will include nationwide commercial TV and radio for the first time.

It will launch in August with a peak in activity to coincide with Sepsis Awareness Month in September. 

Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government is continuing to work with Sepsis Research FEAT to raise public awareness of the symptoms and dangers of sepsis. 

“Patient safety remains key to delivering safe and effective care to all patients every time they access healthcare services and the Scottish Government’s Scottish Patient Safety Programme continues to make progress in its action on sepsis. 

“Focusing on early identification is critical and treatment within one hour of recognition has led to mortality rates among those identified at this stage falling by 21% since 2012.

“Sepsis Research FEAT play a vital role in funding research into this devastating disease and in making the public aware of the symptoms, and the Scottish Government is supporting them in their efforts.”