(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Two young patients have died in sepsis cases in the last year, an NHS trust has confirmed.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said it is now reviewing the care provided to the patients to establish whether anything could have been done differently.
The trust, which runs hospitals and health services across County Durham and Darlington, said it was also strengthening staff training and making sure national sepsis screening tools were being used consistently.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “Sepsis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect anyone.
It can develop and progress very quickly, which is why recognising the signs early and responding promptly is so important.
“Sadly, two young patients have died in cases where sepsis was involved.
Our thoughts remain with their families and loved ones.”
The trust has not provided further details about the patients or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
It said the review would look closely at the care they received and identify any lessons which could improve the way sepsis is recognised and treated.
The spokesperson added: “We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide the safest possible care for children and young people.
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“We are therefore looking closely at the care provided to understand whether anything could have been done differently and what we can learn to improve how we recognise and respond to sepsis.
“We are strengthening staff training, education, and awareness, making sure national sepsis screening tools are used consistently and monitoring how well these are being followed.
“We will continue to monitor progress through our clinical governance processes and act on any further improvements identified through the review.”