STAFF at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny raised awareness of World Sepsis Day by teaching the public more about the condition.

Sepsis is a life threatening condition which is increasingly causing more deaths per year in Wales, accounting for around 2200 deaths annually.

As part of the day, Nevill Hall Hospital’s outreach team set up a presentation stall in the main concourse of the Abergavenny Hospital to highlight the condition with the public.

Deputy sister Angela Downward, said: “As an Outreach Team within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, we are passionate about improving clinical practice through education and empowering the public with knowledge around the Sepsis condition.

“We want people to feel self-assured that if they are hospitalised or someone they love is taken ill, they can feel more confident in asking healthcare professionals.”

Sepsis is recognised by the Welsh Government as a Tier One priority for health boards to improve early identification, treatment and education.

Earlier this year on Wednesday July 13, the national NICE publication gave clarity to Sepsis as a major life threatening condition and the Global Sepsis Alliance recently recognised the work of NHS Wales for its sepsis awareness and education initiatives at the 2016 Global Sepsis Awards.

Mrs Downward added: “It has provided an opportunity for us within the health board to increase further awareness of this condition amongst our patients, local communities and healthcare professionals.

“We celebrate the excellent work being taken forward by our staff and colleagues across the wider NHS Wales to treat patients who present with this condition at the earliest stage, and to reduce unnecessary deaths happening in Wales.”