THE number of maternity patients with potentially deadly sepsis has risen in East Lancashire, according to new figures.

Eight mothers in East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT) maternal units had the illness in 2011 compared to 29 in 2017.

Between 2011 and 2017, there were 136 maternity patients with sepsis, in which the body's response to infection injuries its own tissues and organs.

The illness can even lead to multiple organ failure and even death.

East Lancashire's patients champion Russ McLean said the figures were 'worrying'.

He said: "This is a worrying rise and I'd be interested to know what the cause is of this.

"That said, ELHT have set up their own task force to deal with sepsis where patients admitted to hospital are screened for the illness.

"The rest of the country needs to lead by the trust's example."

The figures were revealed in response to a freedom of information request lodged by resident K Martin.

The resident had asked for information on the occurrence of sepsis in mothers at the maternal units of the trusts hospitals following a study carried out by researchers from the University of Oxford, Northwick Park Hospital, Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol.

It comes after a BBC Panorama programme about the illness found ELHT was among the highest for levels of sepsis in the country.

But trust bosses said they would be challenging the figures from the programme, which they ‘didn’t recognise’.

In response to the freedom of information figures on maternity patients with sepsis, trust chiefs acknowledged there had been an increase, but that this could be down to 'improved coding'.

They added: "The ELHT has implemented the NICE guideline Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management (July 2016).

"This has included a new Septic bundle which is now in routine practice.

"This bundle focuses on early diagnosis and rapid treatment of cases of suspected sepsis.

"Local guidelines have been updated accordingly.

"The ELHT has undertaken an audit following the implementation of the new Septic Bundle to ensure compliance.

The trust has also established a Sepsis Task Force to deal with the condition.

Angela O'Toole, head of midwifery at ELHT, added: “We firmly believe that the increase in the number of East Lancashire women being diagnosed with sepsis while pregnant is a direct result of the proactive work undertaken by the trust to tackle this issue.

“The most important factors in improving patient outcomes are early identification of sepsis, followed by rapid treatment.

"In July 2016, the trust implemented the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines ‘Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management’, which included new practice in the diagnosis and treatment of suspected sepsis cases.

"In addition, an updated Modified Early Obstetric Warning Score is being introduced this month which will further enhance the early recognition of potential sepsis patients.”

“Work taking place throughout the trust shows that the vast majority of patients treated for sepsis actually come to our hospitals already having the condition – they rarely develop it while an in-patient.”