A CAMPAIGN to tackle killer infection sepsis is being rolled out across Basildon Hospital.

Sepsis, a form of blood poisoning, is caused by the body reacting to an infection and attacking its own organs and tissues.

If it isn't spotted quickly, it can rapidly lead to organ failure and death.

New guidelines have already been put in place to half the number of deaths in A&E, but the scheme is nowbeing rolled out through other departments.

Information leaflets and care bundles are being created to highlight the condition to staff and patients.

Clare Jupp, from Brentwood, is spearheading the campaign after her sister, Kay Dejan, tragically died from sepsis at the age of 44. Kay, from Grays, had a fall in a supermarket in 2011 and underwent routine knee surgery.

Clare is now a patient representative of the Sepsis Improvement Board at Basildon Hospital and has also been involved in delivering training to junior doctors at the hospital and giving talks.

She said: “There have been massive changes in the way the Trust handles sepsis and I feel we are starting to make a difference.

Awareness has been the main issue. When I speak to people and tell them it’s a bigger killer than cancer, they are shocked.

“But this isn’t something that happens just to certain pockets of people like the elderly, it can happen to anyone at any time.

My eldest son said it best – when I told him about his aunt he said: “But she only had a broken leg.” By educating people about the symptoms and dangers, we can save lives.”

Rotimi Jaiyesimi, associate medical director for patient safety at Basildon Hospital, spoke to staff and patients during the awareness event on Friday.

He said: “The success in A&E has meant we’re able to roll the scheme out to our acute medical unit and to obstetrics. Every life counts and we want to achieve excellence in managing sepsis and it’s great that Clare Jupp is here to support us.”

In Britain, more than 37,000 people die from sepsis each year – more than breast, prostate and bowel cancer combined. Most cases of sepsis are due to familiar infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bites, cuts or stings.