Preventable Sepsis Deaths Highlight System Failures, Oireachtas Told - 27/04/2026

Concerns have been raised that patients in Ireland are deteriorating from sepsis before treatment begins—leading to potentially preventable deaths.Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can become fatal within hours if not recognised quickly. At a recent Oireachtas briefing, Professor Steve Kerrigan of RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, alongside campaigners, highlighted ongoing issues with delayed diagnosis and gaps in timely care. The briefing also heard powerful personal stories, including the deaths of a young mother and a 12-year-old boy—cases where earlier intervention may have made a difference.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy, who was at the recent Oireachtas briefing and has been campaigning in recent months to raise awareness around sepsis and how it is recognised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.