More than 180 firms back 'Sepsis Savvy ' campaign

More than 180 organisations have already signed up to a campaign to raise awareness of sepsis among staff.

The UK Sepsis Trust (UKST) launched 'Sepsis Savvy ' in May to highlight a deadly condition that claimed at least 48,000 lives in the UK last year.

Many businesses have backed the campaign - including Iceland Foods, Direct Line, Laing O 'Rourke, Microsoft, Birmingham City University and Everton Football Club.

Lead partner and long-term UKST collaborator, Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF), co-developed and provided significant funds towards Sepsis Savvy.

Tarsem Dhaliwal, CEO of Iceland Foods and Trustee of IFCF, said: “When it comes to saving lives from sepsis we know awareness is key.

“That 's why we 're delighted to have been involved with #SepsisSavvy from the start and, of course, to be one of the first to sign up!

“The short film and game make it easy for us to educate our colleagues about sepsis and the signs to look out for and, crucially, it 's free and really easy to implement.

“We 're encouraging other like-minded companies to get involved too - if we all play our part, we can save even more lives. ”

The free resources, including a short educational video - produced by fellow Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce member Ark Media - and an online game (by Focus Games Ltd), are available by signing up here.

Sepsis is when the immune system overreacts to an infection.

Globally it claims 11 million lives a year, yet with early diagnosis it can often be treated quickly and easily.

Unfortunately, sepsis can often be missed as there is no one sign and symptoms can present differently amongst adults and children.

Jason Watkins, actor and UKST ambassador, has been involved in the development of the campaign, and appears in the Sepsis Savvy video, speaking powerfully about the tragic loss of his two-year-old daughter, Maude.

He said: “I 'd urge, in the strongest terms possible, as many organisations as possible to sign up to Sepsis Savvy. We may well not have lost our darling daughter to sepsis if we 'd known more about this condition and what to look out for.

“But sepsis was not, and still is not, part of our everyday language - and that 's the terrible tragedy and truth.

“We 're determined to prevent other families going through what we 've been, and are still, going through. So please, sign up now and protect your colleagues, customers, clients. ”

Dr. Ron Daniels (pictured), CEO and founder of the UK Sepsis Trust said: “There 's a huge lack of awareness about sepsis, which is likely to be worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“To save lives demands both an aware public and switched-on health professionals - symptoms can vary hugely so communication is key.

“We 're hoping that these resources will help to increase the public 's knowledge about this devastating condition in an engaging way. ”