Today with Claire Byrne Remembering Kate – Kate Colum’s mother on losing her little girl to sepsis and the changes she hopes the HSE will make as a result
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Oct 14, 2025 Claire Colum, mother of Kate, shares her heartbreaking journey after losing her vibrant daughter to sepsis. She reflects on Kate's unexpected decline, a hospital misdiagnosis, and the need for better paediatric training. Claire discusses the KATE mnemonic—Kind, Alert, Time, Experts—as a way to enhance care for children with additional needs. She highlights the importance of empathy and thorough examinations, advocating for changes in the healthcare system to prevent similar tragedies and honoring Kate's memory through her campaign.
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Healthy Child Suddenly Very Ill
- Claire Colum describes Kate as extremely well and never previously hospitalised, emphasizing how unexpected the illness was.
- She recounts the first ambulance visit and being told it was a viral illness, leaving reassured but worried when Kate's temperature hit 40.1°C.
Rapid Deterioration On Second Hospital Visit
- Claire recounts being discharged after the first visit, then returning when Kate's condition suddenly deteriorated the next night.
- She describes the rapid decline, the large resuscitation team and the sense that the final efforts were too late.
Early Sepsis Care Is Crucial
- Claire explains that early treatment for sepsis matters and every hour without care reduces survival chances.
- She says Kate met paediatric sepsis criteria and should have received fluids, antibiotics, blood tests and oxygen at first presentation.