Sepsis Research FEAT (The Fiona Elizabeth Agnew Trust) and the Scottish Government have today ( 1st of September 2022) launched the Sepsis Awareness Month Campaign. The aim of the campaign is to increase public awareness of sepsis across Scotland and to tell people how to recognise the key symptoms.
Sepsis is a deadly condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection spirals out of control and begins injuring the body’s own tissues and organs, which can lead to organ failure. Sepsis is a condition that each year claims the lives of 4,000 people in Scotland.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Chief Operating Officer at Sepsis Research FEAT, Colin Graham said: “Sepsis Research FEAT is proud to mark the beginning of Sepsis Awareness Month 2022 with our new campaign in partnership with the Scottish Government. This will be our largest campaign yet and will help us reach an even greater number of people and educate them about the symptoms of sepsis that everyone in Scotland should know about. We are grateful to Mr Yousaf for joining us to help launch it with the incredible GenOMICC team at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute.
“Sepsis is a medical emergency. It is a devastating condition that can kill a previously healthy adult in hours. Even those who survive are often left with long term physical or psychological effects. Sepsis Awareness Month, which is observed worldwide every September, is always an important time for our charity to spread the word about sepsis. We’re asking everyone in Scotland to get involved this year by sharing our awareness campaign and learning the five key symptoms to help save lives.”
The 5 five key symptoms of sepsis that the campaign will highlight are:
- Confusion
- Not passing as much urine as normal
- Very high or low body temperature
- Uncontrolled shivering
- Cold or blotchy arms and legs
Speaking on the campaign, 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 plays 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.”
Sepsis Research FEAT is the only UK charity that exists to fund research into the condition as well as increase awareness of it. The month-long campaign will also include World Sepsis Day which is on the 13th of September.
To mark the day, Sepsis Research FEAT has launched a fundraising campaign called ‘Give us 5!’. In order to highlight the symptoms and increase awareness of the condition and to recognise the five lives that are lost to sepsis every hour in the UK, people are being encouraged to give five of something towards the campaign.
This could be giving a five minute talk, a five hour long event, covering five miles on land or over water or donating from as little as £5.
For further information and to find out how to get involved in the Give us 5! Campaign visit: https://sepsisresearch.org.uk/sepsis-awareness-month-2.
