The NHS will trial wearable sensors and smartphone-linked monitoring to detect early signs of sepsis in high-risk patients, aiming to cut sepsis deaths by 25% by 2035. Devices such as watches, bracelets and chest monitors will track vital signs and alert clinicians to deterioration, enabling faster testing and treatment. More than 118,000 emergency sepsis admissions were recorded in 2024–25, and delayed treatment increases the risk of death by up to 8% per hour. The programme builds on Martha's Rule and is already being used in some cancer wards.
NHS to Trial Wearable Sensors to Spot Sepsis Early — Aiming to Cut Deaths 25% by 2035
Merope Mills, pictured with her daughter, campaigned for the introduction of Martha's Rule
The NHS will trial wearable sensors and smartphone-linked monitoring to help detect early signs of sepsis in patients at high risk, part of a broader strategy to reduce sepsis deaths by a quarter by 2035.
Who Will Be Monitored?
The scheme will focus on people most likely to develop sepsis, including immunocompromised patients (for example, those undergoing cancer treatment), older adults, people with urinary catheters and some people with serious mental illness — groups known to have higher rates of sepsis.
What Technology Will Be Used?
The technology includes wearable devices such as watches, bracelets and chest patches, and smartphone-linked monitors that continuously track vital signs — for example, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and blood pressure. When readings suggest deterioration, clinical teams are alerted so patients can be assessed and tested promptly.
Why Early Detection Matters
Early recognition of sepsis substantially improves chances of survival. NHS data show more than 118,000 emergency admissions for sepsis in 2024–25. Current estimates state around 4,000 deaths per year are attributed to sepsis directly, while the UK Sepsis Trust notes roughly 48,000 death certificates mention sepsis as a contributing factor. For every hour that appropriate treatment is delayed, the risk of death can rise by up to 8%.
Examples and Trials
Some NHS hospitals have already begun using wearable tech for at-risk patients. For example, cancer patients receiving CAR T‑cell therapy at University College London Hospitals wear a chest monitor that measures heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature to help spot sepsis and cytokine release syndrome. When the device flags concerning measurements, staff carry out a rapid review and can start antibiotics if required.
Prof Ramani Moonesinghe, NHS England's deputy medical director, said: "Key to tackling sepsis is catching it early — the longer sepsis goes undetected the less chance a person has to survive or make a full recovery."
Patient Safety and Martha's Rule
The rollout builds on Martha's Rule, which gives patients, families and staff the right to request an urgent second opinion about a patient's care. Martha's Rule was introduced after the 2021 death of 13-year-old Martha Mills from sepsis following failings in her care. In the first 18 months to February 2026, Martha's Rule helplines recorded 12,301 calls; more than a fifth of those calls resulted in changes to care.
Health minister Preet Gill said sepsis is "a devastating and sometimes fatal condition," adding that families who turned loss into advocacy have helped drive improvements in patient safety.
Outlook
The NHS describes the blueprint as a significant step toward reducing harm from sepsis and improving outcomes for survivors. Trials of wearable monitoring are intended to identify deterioration sooner so that testing and treatment can begin earlier, potentially saving lives and reducing long-term disability.
Note: Wearable sensors do not diagnose sepsis directly; they help flag physiological changes that prompt clinical assessment and testing.
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