United Against Sepsis 2025 Programme

UNITED AGAINST SEPSIS 2025

Date: 9th September 2025
Time: 08:30 – 16:20 CET
Location: Brussels or Online

We were proud to host an impactful and forward-looking conference dedicated to one of the most urgent healthcare challenges in Europe — sepsis. With speakers ranging from frontline clinicians and international researchers to policy leaders and patient advocates, the event offered a dynamic blend of science, strategy, and stories.

🔹 Morning Sessions

08:30 – 10:00
☕ Registration & Coffee

10:00 – 10:15
🎤 Welcome Address – Ilse, Krista, and Jan

10:15 – 10:40
🎥 Key Video Messages:

• Hans Kluge, Regional Director, WHO Europe: “The urgency of a European Sepsis Plan”

• Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgian Minister of Health: “The Belgian Approach to Sepsis”

🔬 Recognition & Prevention

10:40 – 12:30

• Filip Haegdorens (University of Antwerp, Belgium):
  The added value of intuition in diagnostics and sepsis care
  ➕ Q&A session

• Ron Daniels (UK Sepsis Trust):
  “Martha’s Rule” – A UK patient-driven safety project
  ➕ Panel discussion with clinicians and patients

• Brian Desplinter (AZ Groeninge, Belgium):
  Sepsis Connect – A Belgian pilot study for early detection of sepsis
  ➕ Q&A session

• Filomeen Haerynck (UZ Gent, Belgium):
  Investigating the link between primary immune deficiency and sepsis
  ➕ Q&A session

12:30 – 13:15
🥗 Lunch Break

🛠 Management & Policy

13:15 – 14:35

• Lennie Derde (Utrecht University, Netherlands):
  Developing sepsis guidelines with patient input
  ➕ Q&A session

• Amy Campbell (PPAHS, USA):
  The caregiver’s burden and sepsis as a healthcare priority
  ➕ Q&A session

• Nancy Celis (Belgium):
  A personal testimonial: living through sepsis loss

• Ilse Malfait (Sepsibel):
  Challenges in building the Belgian National Action Plan (Be-SNAP)

• Erika Vlieghe (UZA):
  Be-SNAP – Current progress and interactive Q&A

14:35 – 14:50
☕ Break

🧩 Aftercare & Recovery

14:50 – 16:10

• EU Patient Testimonials:
  Insights on good practices and missed opportunities

• Ron Daniels (UK Sepsis Trust):
  Rehabilitation pathways for survivors in the UK
  ➕ Q&A session

• Djillali Annane (IHU PROMETHEUS, France):
  Long-term sepsis care: 10-year patient cohort development
  ➕ Q&A session

• Katelyn Walsh (Irish Sepsis Foundation):
  Irish video campaign and aftercare initiatives

• BEATsepsis Team (Czech Republic):
  Researching the burden and quality of life for survivors
  ➕ Q&A session

• EU Patient Reflection Video:
  Message to European healthcare professionals

🔚 Closing Remarks

16:10 – 16:20
🎤 Conclusions by Ilse, Krista, and Jan

📢 Key Themes:

• Urgency of a unified European Sepsis Plan

• Early recognition and intuitive diagnostics

• National pilot programs and clinical initiatives

• Aftercare, rehabilitation, and patient-led advocacy

• Elevating sepsis as both a clinical and policy priority

🤝 Thank You

We thank all participants, speakers, and attendees for making this an inspiring and knowledge-driven day. Together, we are shaping a stronger response to sepsis across Europe.