THE widow of a man who died after developing sepsis is supporting a campaign to raise awareness of the life-threatening condition.

Simon Healey from Finchampstead, Wokingham, underwent routine surgery at the Berkshire Independent Hospital following his diagnoses of bowel cancer on August 1, 2017.

Six days after the operation, the dad of five was diagnosed with a leaking bowel leading to sepsis.

Despite further surgery to repair the leak, his condition continued to deteriorate, and he died three days later from organ failure caused by septic shock on August 10.

His wife, Alison sought legal help from negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the care he received.

She has now joined with her legal team to mark World Sepsis Day, urging all medical professionals to fully come to terms with the warning signs of the condition.

Alison said: "As difficult as it has been to lose Simon, we know that nothing will sadly bring him back. However, we are determined to ensure the issues he faced are not repeated in the future.

“We didn’t really know much about sepsis before. It wasn’t until Simon’s death that we started to learn how terrible it is, how quickly it can take hold and how understanding of the signs and symptoms remains very low.

"It is too late for our family but if by speaking out we can help others then at least something good may have come from Simon’s death.”

World Sepsis Day takes place on September 13 and aims to raise awareness of the life-threatening condition.

Sepsis arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs.

It leads to shock, multiple organ failure and potentially death especially if it is not recognised early and treated quickly.

Rebecca Brown, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Southampton office, representing Alison, said: “Simon’s case is a truly devastating one which highlights the terrible impact that sepsis can have. Five people are killed by sepsis every hour in the UK and therefore it is vital that work continues to improve education around the warning signs.

"We are continuing to support Alison in her quest to improve patient care. Supporting World Sepsis Day and raising awareness of the condition is key to this.”