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The leader of Preston City Council has revealed he nearly died after battling sepsis.
Councillor Matthew Brown, who has partially returned to political and civic duties, has spoken about a traumatic experience which left him vomiting blood and being intensively treated in hospital.
He became so unwell at his home ambulance crews had to break the door down to reach him and he was rushed to hospital where he remained for two weeks.
Read more: Tales from a survivor on World Sepsis Day
Cllr Brown said: “It was a terrifying time for me and I am so thankful to the doctors, nurses and all the NHS staff at Royal Preston Hospital who were able to help me.
“I had been a bit under the weather for a few weeks in September and October and I later learned I’d picked up a urinary tract infection (UTI) but I’d ignored my health and tried to just carry on working.
“It then became worse and I had to go and work from home as being in the Town Hall just wasn’t feasible. I’d also travelled to Korea with some other work I do – around Community Wealth Building – and when I got back from there I found my condition just deteriorated.”
At first Cllr Brown, who is also a councillor for the Plungington ward, said he thought it had been flu or an infection but he said be became ‘nearly delirious’ as he couldn’t make sense of things and the infection took hold.
He said: “That descent down was very rapid, in going from just feeling a bit unwell to suddenly the infection accelerates and it just grips you.
“I was at home and I couldn’t even function properly to get help. The ambulance crew had to break out door down to get to me and get me to the hospital.
“I am so thankful they did. And on reflection I am really thankful I was here, in the UK, when the infection really did take hold.”
Time to make a change
Reflecting on how he became ill Cllr Brown says he is taking a new approach to how he works.
He said: “As a politician then we want to get lots done, and I’m the sort of person who wants to change the world.
“I think this has taught me a lot through this experience. Of course you want to get things going and make things happen but you can’t do that if you’re unwell.
“That period in hospital then I was genuinely scared I would die. At one stage my kidneys had been starting to shut down. It was a horrible experience.
“I think, as a man in particular, we’re not very good at going to the doctor. I was definitely guilty of that.”
Matthew’s partner Emma was with him for the duration of his hospital stay and he said he had messages, gifts, cards and comments from across the political spectrum.
He said: “I was really heartened by the response. Obviously no one wants to be ill but I guess it was a reminder that yes politics is important but health even more so.
“You can’t change things or get things done from beyond the grave.
“I will definitely be changing my approach to work. Of course that desire to be a force for good is still there but I think sometimes I could perhaps rush things, or want to get everything done all at once, but actually there is time to make a decision or see things come together.”
Pressed on whether his trip to Korea in early October – work which Cllr Brown undertakes for a think-tank Democracy Collab outside of his Preston Council duties – had contributed to his health issues, Cllr Brown said: “In hindsight, I was ill before that and I should have gone to the doctor and they would have advised I didn’t go. I likely had the UTI at that stage. So I shouldn’t have travelled.
“However, the people out there were incredibly welcoming and keen to hear about what we’ve been doing in Preston. I am grateful I didn’t become ill while out there as it was a scary enough experience without being on the other side of the world.”
A silent killer
Cllr Brown said he is being open in talking about his fight against sepsis as he thinks not enough is known about it.
According to The UK Sepsis Trust around 50,000 deaths each year are attributed to sepsis – which is when the body’s immune system starts to attack itself in response to an infection.
Cllr Brown said: “I didn’t know much about it before in all honesty.
“Sepsis is often associated with people who are already ill, say with cancer or another long-term condition, but that’s not always the case.
“If you have an infection then there’s a risk. I didn’t heed that risk. I hope I can use my position, as council leader, to make sure other people do get checked, get help and if someone is able to then that’s a great result I think.”
Town Hall wheels keep on turning
Cllr Brown has been politically absent for more than six weeks but Preston City Council has continued to function – something Cllr Brown says he appreciates in how officers and his cabinet stepped in to ensure wheels remained in motion.
He said: “My deputy, Martyn, has acted up and I spoke with the chief exec, my group and the cabinet. There are procedures for this internally.
“I am back now though and I return as leader and I intend to carry on. I have no intention to stop as leader.
“If anything it’s made me even more sure about what we’re doing, and attempting to do, because you don’t get long on this planet to try and make the changes you want to see. But, I need to find a new balance with the way I work. I am taking a steady approach to getting back, and need to be mindful about the risk of catching an infection and the impact this has all had on my health.
“Finally, I’d just really like to thank all the staff at Royal Preston Hospital. They diagnosed the sepsis so rapidly and made sure I got all the right treatment. I cannot thank the NHS enough for everything they did for me during that period.”
What are the signs of sepsis?
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die
- Skin mottled or discoloured
Anyone who displays these signs should seek urgent medical attention – calling 999 or going to A&E.
If you have an infection which is not clearing up then you should 111 or contact your GP.
Where to get support?
There’s official NHS advice on the NHS website regarding sepsis and more information on the UK Sepsis Trust and Sepsis Research.
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