MP Jim Fitzpatrick is backing a public awareness campaign about Sepsis, a life-threatening and relatively unknown deadly condition which claims 44,000 lives a year in Britain alone—including a-thousand children.

The Poplar & Limehouse MP was among 40 peers and members of the Commons attending a Parliamentary event, held by the UK Sepsis Trust, to meet patients and their families.

“I want to see sepsis viewed as a medical emergency,” he said.

“Sepsis may not hit the headlines—but is a deadly condition. Timely interventions proposed by the UK Sepsis Trust, if adopted across the NHS, could save up to 12,500 lives a year.”

The Sepsis Trust set up six years ago is calling for the Department of Health to commit to a public campaign aimed at adults, children and health service professionals themselves to be aware of “this silent killer”.

The trust’s chief executive, Dr Ron Daniels, said: “Awareness of course is only a part of what is needed. We need to make sure healthcare education is robust, mandated and that we have resources that reward excellent care.”

Sepsis is a condition that can affect young and old, fit and healthy, which arises when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs.

It can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death, especially if it is not recognised early and treated promptly.