New HSE sepsis strategy welcomed by Mayo man Ciaran Staunton

A new five-year HSE strategy aimed at improving the prevention, recognition and treatment of sepsis has been welcomed by Mayo native Ciaran Staunton, whose son Rory died from the condition 14 years ago.

The Action on Sepsis 2026–2030 strategy sets out a programme of work across prevention, treatment, support for survivors, research, education and governance.

Almost 12,000 cases of sepsis and septic shock were recorded in Irish hospitals last year, an increase on 2024, with a mortality rate of 21.2%.

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication of infection which can affect anyone, at any age. It can lead to rapid deterioration and, without prompt treatment, multiple organ failure and death.

Mr Staunton and his wife Orlaith, founders of END SEPSIS, have spent the years since Rory’s death campaigning for greater awareness of the condition and improvements in how it is recognised and treated.

Rory died just four days after grazing his arm while playing basketball at school. The couple have since worked with clinicians, policymakers and healthcare leaders to promote earlier recognition of sepsis and better standards of care.

“We have seen firsthand that progress is possible,” The Stauntons said, pointing to international quality improvement initiatives, clinical guidelines, performance measures and hospital-based sepsis programmes which have demonstrated that better outcomes can be achieved.

“Every patient deserves the best possible chance of surviving sepsis. No family deserves to be left haunted by the knowledge that opportunities to save their loved one were missed.”

The couple said establishing a national clinical audit would require significant commitment, resources and collaboration, but added that “the cost of inaction will be measured in lives cut short and devastated families.”

“In the years since Rory’s death, we have dedicated ourselves to preventing other families from enduring a similar loss,” they said.

“Through advocacy, education, public awareness campaigns and collaboration with clinicians, policymakers, and healthcare leaders, we have worked to advance sepsis recognition and improve the quality of care for patients at risk of this life-threatening condition.”

The Stauntons have now welcomed the HSE’s Action on Sepsis 2026–2030, describing its recommendations as a roadmap towards better outcomes for patients.

Launching the strategy, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said sepsis is one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare in Ireland and around the world.

She said the strategy recognises work already undertaken to improve standards in sepsis treatment and guidelines, while also seeking to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms among healthcare professionals and the wider public.

Michael O’Dwyer, Clinical Lead of the HSE Sepsis Programme, said sepsis remains an “ever-evolving challenge” in terms of recognition and treatment.

“Everybody has a role to play in combating sepsis and ensuring people are equipped to recognise the signs and symptoms,” he said.

HSE Chief Clinical Officer Colm Henry said some cases of sepsis are avoidable through earlier detection.

“Our Sepsis Strategy aims to improve awareness and timely action to enable earlier identification and treatment and lead to improved outcomes,” he said.

The new strategy builds on the work of the National Clinical Programme for Sepsis, which was established in 2014, and is grounded in Irish data and international best practice.

The HSE is urging people who suspect sepsis to seek urgent medical care and to always ask: “Could it be Sepsis?”

September is Sepsis Awareness Month, an annual global campaign focused on educating the public and healthcare providers about recognising the early signs of the condition.

In adults, symptoms can include slurred speech or new confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever, passing little or no urine, shortness of breath, a racing heart, dizziness, mottled or discoloured skin, or a new non-blanching rash. Some people may also have a strong feeling that they are seriously unwell or “going to die”.

In children, warning signs can include very fast breathing, seizures, pale, mottled or bluish skin, a non-fading rash, being unusually cold to the touch, or not passing urine for more than 12 hours.