Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron

World Oral Health Day: Sepsis survivor Nick Whelan on the dangers of untreated dental infections

In this episode of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron, we shine a light on the links between dental infections and sepsis – just in time for World Oral Health Day on 20th March.

Host Dr Ron Daniels, Founder & Chief Medical Officer of UK Sepsis Trust speaks to Scottish sepsis survivor and university student, Nick Whelan, about his harrowing ordeal. 

Listen to learn: 

• How a routine tooth infection led Nick to develop life-threatening sepsis
• The early warning signs Nick missed – and how he eventually realised something was seriously wrong
• Why young, healthy people shouldn’t assume they’re invincible to sepsis
• Practical advice on recognising and responding to potential sepsis symptoms
• The importance of timely dental care in preventing serious infections 
• The need for equitable access to dental care across the devolved nations of the UK 
• UKST’s work to educate clinical professionals including dentists about sepsis 
• How Nick’s physical and mental health were affected by his experience 
• The range of support available to sepsis survivors and their caregivers 

Nick’s story shows how sepsis can affect anyone, at any time. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of infection, seek medical attention immediately – early intervention can be life-saving.

Need support? Visit sepsistrust.org for help and resources. 

Managing infection and sepsis risks in the cancer community – with expert advice from Blood Cancer UK

Released for World Cancer Day (4th February), episode 17 of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron highlights a critical crossover that cancer patients to be aware of between infection, neutropenia, and sepsis. 

Dr Ron Daniels, UKST’s Founder & Chief Medical Officer, is joined by Blood Cancer UK’s Health Information Manager, Rachel Yarham, to discuss:

• Why cancer patients often face a higher risk of infection and therefore sepsis
• How neutropenia affects the immune system and how it relates to blood cancer 
• The key signs of infection that could progress to sepsis if left untreated
• The fantastic free resources that Blood Cancer UK has created to make patient advocacy easier – including a behind-the-scenes look at the project 
• The role of charity collaboration in disseminating life-saving information 

Sepsis can escalate rapidly, but with the right knowledge, early intervention can save lives. 

Whether you're living with cancer, caring for someone who is, or just want to be more informed, this episode offers essential advice and shines a spotlight on a fantastic new resource created by Blood Cancer UK, that is fully endorsed and supported by UKST: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/treatment/infection-neutropenia-sepsis/ 

As ever, if you’ve been affected by sepsis you can access our free, nurse-led support services at https://sepsistrust.org/get-support/ 

Men’s Health Month: Sepsis, survival and strength with Rob Forkan and Louis Rickman

In episode 16 of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron, UKST’s Founder & Chief Medical Officer speaks with two inspiring guests for Men’s Health Month. Rob Forkan shares his extraordinary journey of resilience after surviving the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and later battling sepsis. He offers powerful insights into finding purpose and strength through unimaginable challenges.

Devoted father Louis Rickman recounts his wife Louise’s recent battle with sepsis following the birth of their first child, Rex, as well as the devastating loss of his brother to sepsis in 1999.

Together, Rob and Louis explore the profound physical and emotional toll of sepsis and the critical importance of community and mental health support in recovery. 

This episode covers: 

• Rob’s incredible story of mental resilience after surviving the Boxing Day tsunami and sepsis 
• The lasting impact of Louise’s sepsis experience on Louis’ family unit 
• The mental health challenges faced by men and carers in the aftermath of trauma
• The importance of timely recognition of sepsis symptoms, and men accessing healthcare  
• Practical advice for finding resilience, building support networks, and promoting recovery

Tune in to this special episode, released in honour of Men’s Mental Health Month during November 2024, to hear two extraordinary men reflect on their experiences with honesty and hope. 

Of course, if you’re struggling with your mental health at any time, you can also access free nurse-led sepsis support services via our website: https://sepsistrust.org/get-support 

You can also learn more about sepsis and UKST’s mission at sepsistrust.org 

Find out about Rob’s work with Gandys at gandys.com and Preveo at thinkpreveo.com 

Meningitis messaging and rash recognition: Meningitis Research Foundation’s Caroline Hughes on effective public health communication

In episode 15 of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron, UKST’s Founder & Chief Medical Officer is joined by Caroline Hughes, Support Services Manager at the Meningitis Research Foundation, to discuss the links between sepsis and meningitis.

Released following World Meningitis Day on 5th October, this episode sheds light on the interconnectedness of these life-threatening conditions – including the impact on survivors and their families – along with the urgent need for awareness, and how timely intervention can save lives. 

Caroline shares the vital work her organisation does to support individuals affected by meningitis and the global efforts to defeat it, including their involvement in the World Health Organisation’s initiative to defeat bacterial meningitis by 2030.

The episode covers:

• Caroline’s insights into the global burden of meningitis 
• The relationship between sepsis and meningitis 
• The importance of public messaging to raise awareness of the conditions 
• The long term impact of these conditions on patients and their loved ones 
• World Meningitis Day 2024 and how its initiatives are driving awareness globally
• Socioeconomic disparities in sepsis and meningitis outcomes, and the need for improved access to resources 
• How charities like ours are collaborating to promote clear and accessible messaging

Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on the importance of early recognition and the life-saving impact of collaboration in the fight against meningitis and sepsis.

You can learn more about sepsis and the UK Sepsis Trust’s mission at sepsistrust.org, and discover resources on meningitis at meningitis.org. 

Other resources mentioned in the episode: 

Read Lauren’s story: https://sepsistrust.org/sepsisvoices/lauren/ 

Listen to Tilly and Lucy’s story: https://sepsisvoices.podbean.com/e/beyond-the-numbers-illuminating-the-reality-of-paediatric-sepsis/ 

Sepsis survival and advocacy: ‘Bionic’ former MP Craig Mackinlay on adapting to life with disability and driving for change

In episode 14 of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron, UKST’s Founder & Chief Medical Officer Ron Daniels is joined by former Member of Parliament Craig Mackinlay, for an episode released during Sepsis Awareness Month.

Craig’s story is one of immense resilience. After surviving sepsis, he underwent quadruple amputation and has since turned his experience into advocacy for better sepsis care. Recently appointed to the House of Lords, Craig is now using his platform to push for crucial changes in healthcare that could save lives and improve outcomes for sepsis survivors.

The episode covers:

• Craig’s personal experience with sepsis and the challenges of adapting to life with limb loss
• Post Sepsis Syndrome (PSS) and how it affects survivors, including physical, cognitive, and psychological aftereffects
• Craig’s decision to step down from his role as MP and his journey back to work after surviving sepsis
• How Craig’s new position in the House of Lords allows him to advocate for sepsis awareness and improved care – including better access to prostheses
• Socioeconomic disparities in sepsis outcomes and what needs to be done to address them
• UKST’s three key asks of the government during Sepsis Awareness Month: measuring sepsis care performance, integrating rapid diagnostics, and raising public awareness of sepsis symptoms and support services

Tune in for an inspiring conversation and insights that shed light on the realities of life after sepsis and the urgent need for change.

You can learn more about sepsis and UK Sepsis Trust’s ‘Step Up’ campaign by visiting sepsistrust.org  

A Mother’s Mission: Group B Strep Support’s Jane Plumb on prevention and the power of charity collaboration

In episode thirteen of Sepsis Voices, UKST’s Founder & Joint CEO Dr Ron Daniels is joined by Jane Plumb MBE, Founder and CEO of Group B Strep Support, for an episode released during Group B Strep Awareness Month.

Group B Streptococcus is the leading cause of severe infection including meningitis in newborns, and Jane knows this all too well, having tragically lost her son, Theo, to it. Since Theo’s death, Jane has been at the forefront of advocacy and education efforts to combat this usually preventable infection.

Like any infection, left untreated Group B strep can progress to sepsis – therefore it’s vital that our two organisations work together to raise awareness in the hope of ending preventable deaths from these conditions.

The episode covers:

• Jane’s family’s story
• What Group B strep is and how it affects adults and children
• What expectant parents should know about Group B Strep – including managing the infection risk to newborns during pregnancy, labour and the early months after birth
• Group B Strep Support’s e-learning for healthcare professionals
• Group B Strep Support’s campaign for better data collection
• How UKST supported this campaign
• How Group B Strep Support will work with the new Government to enact change
• Opportunities for charity collaboration on infection management
• Incidence – how many people are affected by Group B Strep in the UK each year

You can find out more about Group B Strep Support’s work via their website: https://gbss.org.uk/ 

And as ever, you can learn more about sepsis or get support from UK Sepsis Trust at https://sepsistrust.org/  

Pancreas predicaments: Exploring the interplay of chronic kidney disease, diabetes and sepsis with Kidney Care UK’s Deborah Duval

In the twelfth episode of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron, Dr Ron Daniels is joined by Deborah Duval, managing editor of Kidney Care UK’s quarterly magazine, Kidney Matters, and head of the charity’s Kidney Kitchen.

As a Type 1 diabetic living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and two-time sepsis survivor, Deborah is uniquely placed to speak to the interrelationship of the conditions, and what our organisations are doing to work together to improve sepsis outcomes for at-risk patient groups.

In this is episode, released in time for Diabetes Awareness Week (10^th-16^th June), the pair discuss:

- The differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and the treatments for these conditions

- Deborah’s organ transplant journey – including connecting with donor families through mutual consent

- Risk factors that predispose kidney patients and diabetics to infection, and therefore sepsis  

- Deborah’s sepsis experiences, which resulted in life support

- What UKST and Kidney Care UK are doing in partnership to raise awareness of sepsis

- How sepsis can result in acute kidney injury, which needs to be treated with dialysis

- The amazing work of Kidney Care UK to support people with CKD and acute kidney injury

If you’d like to access Kidney Care UK’s amazing resources, head to their website: https://kidneycareuk.org/

If you’re looking for support following sepsis, whether you’re a survivor, carer or you’ve been bereaved by the condition, head to UKST’s website: https://sepsistrust.org/

Moving Forward: Surviving sepsis and overcoming mental health challenges

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19^th May), episode 11 of Sepsis Voices with Dr Ron delves into the often-unseen mental health impact of sepsis with two remarkable guests, Taz Hoesli and Naj Devgun.

Tune in to this empowering episode for an enlightening discussion on mental health, resilience, and the journey to healing.

The guests:

• Recount their sepsis stories
• Share the profound mental toll of prolonged hospital stays, including the onset of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Talk about how not being able to move their bodies in the same way post-sepsis affected their mental health
• Share how Functional Neurological Disorder affected them (Naj)
• Talk about how hair loss affected their self-esteem (Taz)
• Discuss how their support networks and professional interventions helped in their recovery journeys - including UKST's support services
• Share why it was important to them to be open about the challenges they have faced with others on social media and their personal circles

Dr Ron concludes by reminding listeners of the UK Sepsis Trust’s free support services, which include 1:1 calls with a support nurse; online and face-to-face support groups, and Facebook support & connect groups for sepsis survivors or the bereaved.

 

Access sepsis support today: https://sepsistrust.org/get-support/

 

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can access free mental health support:

https://www.samaritans.org/

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.thecalmzone.net/