SEPSIS deaths have risen by over a third in the last two years, with 15,722 deaths in hospitals recorded with sepsis as the leading cause nationally.

Swindon woman Sheila Goacher lost both her mum and dad to sepsis and started fundraising earlier in the year to pay for more specialist nurses to be trained in spotting signs of the condition.

Ms Goacher, 54, said: “The figures are quite frightening.

“We started fundraising to raise awareness, and everyone can be more aware but if you haven’t got enough nurses things are never going improve.

“It is quite sad that this is the way it has gone. We still have a lot of questions over our father’s death.

“When my father was in hospital there didn’t seem to be overcrowding, but he was put on the wrong ward.

“My sister spoke to someone on a forum who didn’t know where to turn and we told them that they must push more for a diagnosis and treatment.

“I have heard so many stories and they all seem to start the same, people are not being diagnosed and treated quickly enough as sepsis is an illness where you have to act quickly.”

Earlier this year Dr Amanda Pegden, consultant physician at GWH, said: “Identifying and treating sepsis quickly will greatly increase a person’s chances of making a full recovery, which is why anyone who suspects that they or someone they love has sepsis should contact their GP as soon as possible.

“While its early symptoms are similar to those of flu, it’s important to remember that you cannot develop sepsis if you haven’t already been suffering from an infection, such as a chest or urine infection, or an injury that caused an open wound, such as a cut, bite or burn.