Shona Robison launches Sepsis campaign after meeting campaigners
Shona Robison - David Anderson/Holyrood
Health Secretary Shona Robison has said campaigners conviced her of the case of an awareness campaign on Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning.
Three weeks ago the Scottish Government said it felt a campaign was not necessary, despite the condition killing around 3,500 Scots a year.
But after meeting with the sepsis awareness charity Fiona Elizabeth Agnew Trust (FEAT) yesterday, Robison said it was clear a campaign was "a sensible next step".
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Sepsis is is caused when the immune system overreacts to infection and can be lethal if not identified within an hour.
The Scottish Patient Safety Programme, run by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), already works to raise awareness among doctors and other clinical staff. There is also a Sepsis app used by some doctors. The new campaign will target public awareness.
“I was delighted to meet with FEAT and to discuss next steps," said Robison. It is clear from our meeting that a marketing and awareness campaign is a sensible next step.
“While mortality rates have fallen by 21 per cent since 2012, there’s still more to be done. I hope our campaign will play its part in equipping the public with a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of this awful condition.”
Craig Stobo from FEAT, whose wife died of Sepsis, said: “FEAT welcomes today's meeting and the announcement by the Health Secretary of the national sepsis awareness campaign for Scotland. This will help raise people's awareness of this major public health issue, save lives and improve patients' outcomes.
“This is just the beginning of a long road ahead. We look forward to working further with the Scottish Government to consolidate the recent, welcome fall in deaths from sepsis; with a focus on continuous improvement to ensure there is safe, consistent care for all sepsis patients across Scotland."
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