Leading health specialist raises treatment awareness for nursing students

A leading health specialist has recently visited the University of Wolverhampton to speak to third year nursing students about the Sepsis Campaign.

Georgina McNamara, a critical care outreach nurse at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and the UK’s first specialist sepsis nurse, was invited by Senior Lecturer in Adult nursing, Lorraine Diegnan to deliver a lecture to over 100 students at the University’s Walsall Campus.

Sepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning or septicaemia, is a potentially life-threatening condition, triggered by an infection or injury. Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and even death.

Georgina, who has helped develop a list of rapid interventions for suspected sepsis patients, said: “There needs to be a greater awareness of this life threatening condition, it is estimated that it affects 150,000 people every year, and kills 44,000 people per year - 1,000 of those are children.  

“Education of nurses is key because they do 90% of the observations. There is still a lack of awareness of the term, its symptoms and its treatments, which is why opportunities to speak to student nurses whilst they are still studying is really useful.”

Paula Evans, the Lead Volunteer Coordinator at The UK Sepsis Trust also spoke about the ‘Kiss Goodbye to Sepsis Campaign’ and thanked the students for their fundraising cake sale, which raised over £250.

Student Nurse, Chloe Evans said: “The lecture was very informative and it was great that Georgina took the time out of her busy schedule to raise awareness of sepsis.  She gave us invaluable information and insights into assessing patients effectively and the urgent treatment required.

“We can all take away this information and put it into practice when we qualify and start work in September.”

For more information on the nursing courses available at the University of Wolverhampton, please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk

ENDS

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Date Issued: 21.03.2016