NHS England published a modern service framework for sepsis on 14 July 2026, setting an aim to prevent thousands of deaths from the condition by 20351. The blueprint includes giving wearable devices to people at risk of sepsis, which could be on their mobile phones or worn as watches or bracelets1.
Sepsis is described by the NHS as a life-threatening response to an infection in the body, which can cause significant damage to tissues and organs, and is estimated to cause around 4,000 deaths a year in England1. NHS figures show there were more than 118,000 emergency admissions for sepsis in 2024/251. The NHS states that for every hour of delayed treatment, the risk of death increases by up to 8%1.
The devices tested by the NHS will monitor people's vital signs at home, including blood pressure and heart rate, and will automatically flag that a person's condition has deteriorated and they need to be tested for sepsis1. The NHS identifies people on immunosuppressive treatments such as some cancer patients, older people, and those with a catheter or a serious mental illness as at higher risk of sepsis1.
Some hospitals have begun giving wearable technology to inpatients at risk of sepsis1. At University College London Hospitals, cancer patients receiving CAR T cell therapy treatment wear a device on their chest which measures heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature as part of a clinical trial1. The PREDDICT clinical trial is still underway, and UCLH has so far tested the wearable monitor in 29 patients with weakened immune systems and at increased risk of infection and other complications1. A specialist team reviews the readings remotely day and night and contacts the on-call doctor if something looks wrong, according to the trust's critical care consultant David Brealey, who described a patient whose temperature reached 38C while he slept, after which ward staff took blood tests and started intravenous antibiotics1.
Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, NHS England's Deputy Medical Director, said:
"It is vital that everyone is aware of the signs of sepsis which can include difficulty breathing, a dramatic change in temperature, or not peeing for a time, so please do not hesitate calling 999 immediately if you or someone you know has these symptoms, and you can also find out more at nhs.uk/sepsis."
The framework lists symptoms of sepsis. In adults these include confusion or slurred speech, uncontrollable shivering, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, blue, pale, grey or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, a high or low temperature, and not peeing all day or peeing very little in the past 18 hours1. In babies and children they include difficulty breathing or breathing very fast, a fit (seizure), a high or low temperature, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, a rash that does not fade when pressed, being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake, and not peeing1. The NHS notes that a rash that does not fade when pressed is rare in sepsis but may be a symptom of meningitis1.
Why it matters for households
The framework sets a national aim for sepsis care and begins work immediately on how care is delivered across the NHS, alongside a programme of research and innovation into faster and more accurate detection and treatment1. For households, the measures described cover people already identified by the NHS as at higher risk, including those on immunosuppressive treatments, older people, and those with a catheter or a serious mental illness1. The home monitoring devices described are part of trials and planned measures rather than something households can request; the NHS has not reported how people would be offered a device or from what date. The NHS advises anyone with the listed symptoms, or who knows someone with them, to call 999 immediately1. The health emergencies hub covers wider health incident guidance for households.
What happens next
The NHS aims to prevent thousands of sepsis deaths by 20351. The PREDDICT clinical trial at UCLH is still underway1. The sepsis framework is one of several new strategies the NHS is publishing to improve patient outcomes for major conditions, alongside a new Quality strategy also published on 14 July 20261.
