Mike Wood MP, Chair of the APPG on Sepsis, leads Parliamentary event for Sepsis Awareness Month
Mike Wood MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sepsis, organised and hosted a Parliamentary event this week to mark World Sepsis Day (Saturday 13th September) and raise awareness of this life-threatening condition.
The event, supported by The UK Sepsis Trust (UKST), brought together more than 70 MPs and peers — including “Bionic Peer” Lord Mackinlay, who lost all four limbs after contracting sepsis in 2023 — all of whom pledged support for UKST’s Sepsis Awareness Month campaign.
Guest of honour and UKST ambassador Harry Redknapp spoke movingly about his wife Sandra’s battle with sepsis in 2018, urging people to back the charity’s work and play the “Sepsis Savvy Shootout” educational game, which teaches users key facts about sepsis.
Mike Wood MP commented:
“As Chair of the APPG on Sepsis, I was proud to organise this event in Parliament to ensure that sepsis awareness stays firmly on the national agenda.
Sepsis is more common than heart attack and claims more lives than stroke. It must be taken just as seriously as cancer.
If you’re worried about someone, even if you’re unsure it’s sepsis, it’s always best to ‘Just Ask: could it be sepsis?’ and seek medical advice.”
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to infection that kills 11 million people globally every year, including 48,000 in the UK. It can be triggered by chest infections, UTIs, or even something as simple as an insect bite. With no specific diagnostic test and symptoms that vary widely, early recognition and treatment are critical.
Dr Ron Daniels BEM, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of The UK Sepsis Trust, added:
“Sepsis is an indiscriminate killer that affects 245,000 people in the UK every year. With at least 48,000 people losing their lives annually to sepsis-related illnesses – more than breast, bowel, and prostate cancer combined – the need for action is clear.
We’re so grateful to every MP who pledged their support this week. Their commitment is crucial in the fight against sepsis and will help us raise lifesaving awareness across the UK.”
Harry Redknapp said:
“In 2018, my wife Sandra developed sepsis from a kidney infection. It was terrifying — but we were lucky. She survived. 48,000 families each year in the UK aren’t as fortunate.
That’s why I’ve teamed up with The UK Sepsis Trust to spread this vital message. Whoever you cheer for, Team #SepsisSavvy needs your support.”
When caught quickly, sepsis is often treatable. Call 111 or contact your GP if you are worried about an infection. If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
