Sepsis survivor launches group due to lack of support in Worcester

Robert Stapleton was inspired to create the group after he discovered the lack of local support available whilst he was battling against the illness - a potentially deadly reaction to an infection.

Mr Stapleton, aged 67, said: “It has taken me two and a half years to fully recover. I feel lucky to have fully recovered and therefore need to pass on my experience to hopefully help others through this harrowing experience.

“Some people don’t like to talk about it, as it is quite traumatic.”

The group will be called the Sepsis Support Group and is being launched in conjunction with UK Sepsis Trust.

The group will be designed as a support network for people with the blood infection to be given the opportunity to meet others and share their story.

Mr Stapleton was diagnosed with sepsis in 2018 following a routine prostate operation.

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He said: “I had to go back to the hospital to change my catheter at Redditch Hospital.

"I was stuck in bed lying in my own urine for four hours.

"I persuaded the nurses that I didn’t need to stay there, but when I got out, I didn’t feel well. I then had a rigors attack and couldn’t walk. My wife had to call the ambulance, but paramedics said I didn’t fit the criteria. The next night I had another attack and couldn’t breathe. I was rushed to Worcestershire Royal. I was in a high dependency ward for four days and then went back to Redditch for three weeks.

“I lived downstairs for two months. I couldn’t walk, I struggled to breathe and had either very low or high body temperatures.”

The group was formed after Sepsis Awareness Day at Sixways Stadium when Worcester Warrior’s women’s team played Bristol Bears on December 1. Mr Stapleton met with rugby player, Jemima Moss, who is also a sepsis survivor. The first meeting will be held at Worcester Waitrose in the community room on March 9 from 6.30pm to 8pm.