As Mental Health Awareness Day approaches, former MP Craig Mackinlay calls for urgent improvements in sepsis aftercare and mental health support for survivors.
In a recent episode of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron, Mackinlay shares his story of surviving sepsis, which led to the loss of his hands and feet.
Now known as the “Bionic” MP, he criticizes the NHS for inadequate prosthetic provision, highlighting its impact on survivors’ mental health and independence.
The UK Sepsis Trust estimates that 40% of sepsis survivors face ongoing complications, affecting productivity and increasing financial strain. Mackinlay emphasizes that better aftercare and mental health support could reduce long-term disability and economic burden.
Mackinlay’s advocacy aligns with the UK Sepsis Trust’s recent Step Up campaign, which calls on the government to improve outcomes for sepsis survivors. The campaign’s key demands include:
- Measurement and publication of sepsis care performance data – to ensure better accountability and improve NHS care standards.
- Integration of rapid diagnostics – allowing healthcare providers to diagnose and treat sepsis faster, preventing severe disabilities and reducing the long-term economic impact.
- Increased public awareness of sepsis symptoms – ensuring that early intervention prevents life-altering complications like limb loss.
The charity’s Change.org petition calling for public support of the asks has accumulated nearly 50,000 signatures: https://chng.it/5dnys44wvt
Dr Ron Daniels, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the UK Sepsis Trust, also highlights the “postcode lottery” in sepsis care, noting that a recent University of Manchester study found that people from socioeconomically deprived areas are nearly twice as likely to die from sepsis. Both Mackinlay and the UK Sepsis Trust emphasise the need for a national effort to address these disparities and improve both physical and mental health care for survivors.
As the UK Sepsis Trust raises awareness this Sepsis Awareness Month, this episode of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron brings attention to the need for systemic change in sepsis aftercare and the importance of recognising the mental health toll on survivors ahead of Mental Health Awareness Day.
Listen to the full episode here: https://SepsisVoices.podbean.com/e/sepsis-survival-and-advocacy-bionic-former-mp-craig-mackinlay-on-adapting-to-life-with-disability-and-driving-for-change/
About Sepsis:
- Sepsis, a life-threatening condition, arises when the body’s response to infection harms its own tissues and organs. It affects 245,000 people in the UK annually, claiming 48,000 lives.
- Sepsis can lead to shock, multiple organ failure, and death if not recognised early and treated promptly.
- Learn more about sepsis and its signs at the UK Sepsis Trust’s website.