Whelan Law

09/09/2026

Will Ireland Lead Europe on Sepsis Patient Safety?

With World Sepsis Day coming up on 13 September, Ireland has a unique opportunity to lead the way in protecting hospital patients. On 15 September, Dublin will host a major European health summit at RCSI to tackle sepsis care across Europe.

Sepsis moves fast, but early warning signs are too often missed. Internationally, initiatives like Martha’s Rule in the UK and Rory’s Regulations in the US show that giving families a formal voice at the bedside saves lives. When a family member senses something isn't right, that instinct should immediately trigger a clinical review.

At Whelan Law, we believe it is time for an Irish Sepsis Act; legislation that establishes mandatory screening protocols in all hospitals and gives families an undisputed right to escalate care when a loved one deteriorates.
Read our full article on the upcoming Dublin summit and the case for statutory sepsis protection: https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/will-ireland-lead-europe-on-sepsis-patient-safety-

25/06/2026

New HSE data reveals a striking reality: 10,400 medication-related incidents and near misses were recorded in Irish health services last year alone. While over 2,500 of these were intercepted, more than 7,150 errors bypassed hospital checks and actually reached the patient.

Under Irish law, every patient has an absolute right to safe, standardised care. If a medication error or a delayed dose has severely impacted you or a family member, our legal team is here to help you seek the truth and hold the institution accountable.

Read our latest article here: https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/the-anatomy-of-a-medication-error-moving-from-bedside-blame-to-systemic-accountability

12/05/2026

At a recent Oireachtas briefing, experts warned that while clinical protocols exist in Ireland, their implementation is often loose and inconsistent.

At Whelan Law, we are calling for the introduction of a formal, named Patient Safety Initiative, similar to Martha’s Rule, to replace these ambiguous standards.

Read more: https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/-sepsis-does-not-wait-a-call-for-proactive-systems-and-collaborative-reform

06/02/2026

The reintroduction of the SEPSIS Act to the US Congress represents a major advance for patient safety and transparency in healthcare. If passed, this 14-year campaign aims to set a new global standard.

The core message is clear: the patient's voice is vital. The following three global rules are currently revolutionising patient safety standards.

Learn more: https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/ending-the-silence-the-staunton-family-s-14-year-campaign-and-the-sepsis-act?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=rorys_reg

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13/11/2025

The latest reports on the link between the Depo Provera contraceptive injection and increased tumour risk have exposed a critical failure in healthcare transparency and Patient Safety.

The HSE needs weeks to identify and contact affected women. We believe this delay in disclosure is unacceptable.

Find out more about this topic and what legal steps are available.
Read more here: https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/delayed-data-on-contraceptive-injection-tumour-link-exposed-critical-failures

08/09/2025

As we approach World Sepsis Day on September 13th, we are reminded that when it comes to Sepsis, every minute counts.

Our latest article explores the devastating consequences that can occur from a delay in diagnosis. We believe every patient and family has a right to timely, quality care.

Read our full article here: https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/sepsis-a-hidden-killer-and-the-patient-safety-challenge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blog_post

25/06/2025

Joe Flynn Vs The HSE: A Catalyst for Change in Patient Safety
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We are pleased to see that the case of Joe Flynn Vs The HSE has received such widespread interest in the media at both national and local levels.

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Whelan Law is an experienced, forward-thinking firm with expertise ranging from Personal Injury, Medical Negligence and Birth Injury to Property Law, Wills & Probate.