ANN Brady was guest of honour at Great Western Hospital’s event to mark World Sepsis Day and she thanked the centre’s staff for helping her overcome the condition.

Ann, 74, was struck down by the illness, also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning, in August 2013.

Sepsis, which kills more than 37,000 people a year, can start from a minor infection or bite and see the body attack its own organs and tissue in response.

Ann, who lives in Hannington, near Highworth, and is married to Bernard, received months of treatment from GWH as she battled to recover from sepsis.

She said: “When I was in intensive care I was away with the fairies and my family were very worried.

“My daughters were very concerned but the staff here were great and kept them up to date.

“That was really valuable as it meant they could help me fill in the gaps as my position improved.

“Having that support for my family was of major importance and that was why I was willing to come here today.”

World Sepsis Day was on Saturday but to ensure more staff could get involved with the event GWH held its event on Friday.

Ann attended with daughters Caroline Rogerson and Jenny Martin.

On World Sepsis Day last year, the hospital launched a campaign to raise greater awareness of the condition amongst staff and the public.

The Sepsis Six campaign, highlighted a set of simple interventions that should be performed within the first hour after severe sepsis has been diagnosed.

These include prescribing antibiotics, giving patients oxygen and intravenous fluids.

And since February, GWH has seen its sepsis mortality rates drop from 63 per cent to 25 per cent.

In May, the GWH also created the position of a dedicated sepsis nurse, who was paid for by the hospital’s Brighter Futures charity.

Nic Lythell, who holds the position, said: “As the sepsis nurse, my aim is to identify cases of sepsis as quickly as possible.

“I provide education and training to help doctors and nurses manage and treat the condition, and when severe sepsis has been identified I can be a hands-on resource to achieve the sepsis six treatment within an hour.”

Consultant physician, Amanda Pegden, who has overseen the hospital’s sepsis campaign, said she was delighted with GWH’s progress.

She said: “The enthusiasm from staff has been really inspiring. The sepsis six tool is becoming embedded into the hospital and awareness has improved.

“We are getting more patients treated quicker which has improved patient outcomes.

“Despite the success however, we are not complacent and myself and the trust’s sepsis working group will continue to push on with the campaign identifying areas where more work is needed.

“This includes continuing our work on adopting international best practice in the way we diagnose, treat and care for patients with sepsis.

“We have also been sharing learning with neighbouring trusts to ensure we are working to the same aim and doing things the same way.”

For more information about the condition visit sepsistrust.org