The NHS has set out a new plan to prevent thousands of deaths from sepsis by 2035, with wearable monitoring technology playing a central role in efforts to spot the condition earlier and treat patients faster.
Published on 14 July 2026, the modern service framework says the health service will trial devices that can be worn as watches or bracelets, or used on mobile phones, to track vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate at home. The system is designed to flag deterioration automatically so patients at risk can be tested for sepsis before their condition worsens.
Why the NHS is focusing on earlier detection
Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can damage tissues and organs. NHS figures cited in the framework show that more than 118,000 emergency admissions for sepsis were recorded in England in 2024/25, and the condition is estimated to cause around 4,000 deaths a year in England.
The NHS says speed is critical: for every hour of delayed treatment, the risk of death increases by up to 8%. That makes early identification one of the most important factors in improving survival and recovery.
Wearables are already being tested in hospital settings
Some hospitals have already begun giving wearable tech to inpatients at risk of sepsis, including cancer patients receiving CAR T cell therapy at University College London Hospitals. In that trial, a chest device measures heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature, with remote clinicians reviewing readings day and night.
According to the NHS, the approach has already led to rapid intervention when a patient’s temperature rose overnight, prompting blood tests and intravenous antibiotics before the illness progressed further.
A wider push across NHS care
The framework is part of a broader effort to improve the way major conditions are managed across the NHS, with research and innovation intended to support faster diagnosis, better monitoring and more consistent treatment. The service says the plan includes stronger use of diagnostics, improved support for survivors and better data collection.
Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, NHS England’s Deputy Medical Director, said the goal is to catch sepsis early and reduce harm over the next decade. The UK Sepsis Trust welcomed the framework, saying it marks significant progress for patient safety and highlights the value of rapid diagnostics and wearable technologies.
The NHS says the new measures are intended to save lives by helping clinicians intervene sooner, while giving patients at risk of sepsis a better chance of receiving treatment before their condition becomes critical. More information is available on the NHS England announcement and the sepsis modern service framework.
