Actor Jason Watkins has said he took it 'really personally' that a new report found sepsis care has not improved since his two-year-old daughter Maude died of the infection in 2011. The 61-year-old, known for his roles in The Crown and QI, spoke on Good Morning Britain about the NHS ombudsman's report released in October, which found that 'the same serious failings are still happening' a decade on from a previous document.
The report highlighted errors including delays in diagnosing and treating sepsis, poor communication between healthcare staff, sub-standard record-keeping, and missed opportunities for follow-up care. Watkins said the findings were a 'real body-blow' and made him feel 'like a victim again'. He called on the Government to step up with a national database, a national awareness campaign, and funding for individual trusts.
The Government has committed to introducing Martha's Rule in English hospitals, which gives patients the right to a second opinion if they feel their concerns are dismissed. The rule is named after Martha Mills, who died aged 13 in 2021 after doctors failed to identify warning signs. Watkins urged parents to ask 'Could it be sepsis?' when their child is ill, and said Martha's Rule is a 'brilliant way of reminding people'.
An NHS England spokesperson responded that the health service is 'working to improve the identification and management of sepsis' and acknowledged 'there is more work to be done'. They added that patients and families can escalate care for hospital patients if they see deterioration.
