What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that happens when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs. It can develop quickly and requires urgent treatment in hospital.

As well as its immediate risks, sepsis can have long-term physical and psychological effects for patients, families and carers.

Sepsis can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often overlap with those of other conditions and there is no single diagnostic test. Early recognition and prompt treatment are important in improving outcomes and survival.

Transforming sepsis care and outcomes

Sepsis remains a major cause of death and ill health and continues to present challenges across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

In July 2026, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care published the Sepsis modern service framework, setting out how the NHS and its partners will improve sepsis care and outcomes.

The framework is intended for those involved in planning, commissioning and delivering services for people with, or at risk of, sepsis. It outlines the priority actions needed to support more consistent, high-quality care across England.

Our ambition

Our ambition is to reduce deaths, life-threatening complications and the long-term impacts of sepsis and severe infection by at least 25% by 2035.

We also aim to reduce the health inequalities that contribute to poorer outcomes for some groups of people.