New sepsis e-learning programme

By Julie Griffiths on 21 May 2018 Learning

A new learning package designed to help midwives and other clinicians to spot the early signs of sepsis in children and infants has been launched by Health Education England (HEE).

The ‘Think sepsis’ programme is free to access for all NHS and social care staff and can be used in face-to-face sessions or independently through e-learning.

The learning package is case-based and consists of interviews with the parents of three children affected by sepsis – Melissa Mead, whose son William died, Jason Watkins and Clara Francis, whose daughter Maude died, and Katie Maryon-Wilson, whose daughter Rosie survived.

The films follow the patient journey from diagnosis to treatment, as the parents each talk about their experience of sepsis, their child’s treatment and diagnosis of the condition and the impact that it has had on their families.

Clinical experts also feature in the training to offer guidance in spotting the difficult-to-spot signs of sepsis in children and the best practice response to effectively treat this life-threatening condition.

The videos are complemented with teaching notes and a training guide that can enhance learning and contribute to CPD.

The new materials were showcased at the House of Commons where MP Caroline Dinenage, minister of state for care, welcomed the e-learning package as a revolutionary approach to tackling sepsis diagnosis and treatment.

It’s estimated that there are around 123,000 cases of sepsis each year in England, with around 1000 of these cases reported in children under five, which the e-learning package aims to reduce by supporting health and social care professionals through training and personal development.

HEE has worked collaboratively across the healthcare system through HEE's sepsis working group with several royal colleges, the UK Sepsis Trust charity, Public Health England and patient representatives to produce the learning materials.

The training is available free to midwives on HEE’s e-Learning for Healthcare platform here.