YEOVIL NEWS: Hospital staff take to the saddle for sepsis

A TEAM of medical and nursing staff from Yeovil Hospital are gearing up for the Cycle4Sepsis challenge for the third year to raise awareness and funds for the life-threatening condition.

Each year it is estimated more than 100,000 people in the UK are admitted to hospital with sepsis and around 44,000 people die every year as a result of the condition.

Starting at Yeovil Hospital, the three-day cycle will see our very own Sepsis Stars put through their paces as they get on their bikes and head to Birmingham.

Emma Young, Sepsis lead at Yeovil Hospital, has been involved in the planning since the team took on the first long-distance cycle in 2015.

She said: “The team is amazing! They will be cycling 150miles over the three days, ending up at the UK Sepsis Trust HQ in Victoria Square, Birmingham, along with 15 teams from across the country.”

Three of the team members have taken part in the last two events, cycling to London in 2015 and then to Cardiff last year, but they are keen to get back on the saddle again, encouraging the rest of the team.

Emma added: “We found out the location for this year’s challenge in May and have been planning the route, support vehicles and training ever since. The team have been training in small groups and individually so this is the first time all ten of them have ridden together. They are ready, and with luck on our side, we should arrive on safely on Sunday for the reception.

“Raising awareness of sepsis among public and professionals in this way helps save lives. In the Intensive Care Unit we see it almost daily and know that the sooner the symptoms are spotted the better the chance of survival; so recognising the symptoms is the key.”

Sepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning or septicaemia, is a potentially life-threatening condition triggered by an infection or injury. In sepsis, the body's immune system goes into overdrive as it tries to fight an infection. This can reduce the blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys. Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

If you would like to support the team and make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/somerset-sepsis-stars17 or follow the journey on Twitter @s_sepsis_stars .

PHOTO – TOP: The Yeovil Hospital’s Sepsis Stars get ready to set off with deputy director of nursing Jo Howarth (front in uniform) and medical director Dr Tim Scull (back in uniform).   

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