Sepsis: Student set to lose hands and legs following diagnosis

Student to lose limbs following sepsis diagnosis A teenager is set to have both legs, one hand and the fingers of his other hand amputated after he contracted Sepsis.

Hamish Wilson, 18, from Crowborough, had just started university in Southampton and was studying Philosophy before he fell ill in October.

Mr Wilson was rushed to hospital last month where his condition deteriorated rapidly and he suffered major organ failure, but he pulled through, despite being critically ill.

A GoFund me has raised almost £50,000, which will be used to convert their family house to make it more accessible, physiotherapy and psychotherapy, and a part-time carer.

Hamish's mother, Jacqueline Wilson, told BBC South East: "It is really difficult to put into words what has happened.

"It was terrifying being told that your boy might not make it. I feel utterly helpless and his life kept flashing before my eyes."

Hamish will need to get prosthetic limbs once the amputations have been completed.

Ms Wilson added: "He called me day the before he was diagnosed to say his limbs were aching and he was struggling to breathe so he went to A&E.

"He called me later to say he was still really sick so I said I'd drive down the next day."

Hamish was incubated by the time Jacqueline got to the hospital.

After spending some time at Southampton General Hospital, Hamish was transferred to Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge and is now at St Thomas' Hospital in London.

Hamish's brother, Rory, said: "My brother was an active, health young man.

"I was running on adrenaline when I was travelling down to see him hospital and by the time I got there, he was unconscious and there was multiple life-support machines.

"I thought he was going to die there and then.

"I see this as completely unfair and it is cruel he is going through this now."

The former Conservative MP, Lord Mackinlay of Richborough, who also had limbs amputated after a sepsis diagnosis, said: "This is a mental battle.

"You could lose to this, but you mustn't, because you can get through this and get a really good life ahead of you.

"This is what I will be impressing upon Hamish."