Ms Karen Phoenix:

I thank the committee for having us. Seán Hughes, aka Lil Red: sunrise 3 July 2002 and sunset 12 January 2018. Seán was an up and coming rap artist who wrote and performed all his own material. He performed in the Aviva Stadium, Croke Park and the National Concert Hall to name just a few. Seán’s music can be heard on Facebook, SoundCloud and YouTube. He was a very fashion-conscious young man. He loved to be dressed in the latest designer brands. Friends of Seán have called him their role model. He was quick to help others and we are very proud to call him our son. Seán had no underlying health issues. He was a healthy lad. On Friday morning, 12 January 2018, we lost our amazing son, Seán Hughes, aka Lil Red, due to sepsis. Seán was only 15 years old. We had never heard of sepsis before it took Seán from us. Now we are doing all we can to raise public awareness about the dangers of the silent serial killer called sepsis.

There are almost 15,000 cases of sepsis in Ireland each year resulting in almost 3,000 deaths. A staggering 60% of all hospital deaths in Ireland are related to sepsis. That is an average of eight deaths every day in Ireland, and that is only what is recorded as death from sepsis. Medical professionals say that sepsis is rare, but it is not so rare and is quite common. Sepsis does not discriminate. Anyone can get an infection and any infection can lead to sepsis. Each year in Ireland, sepsis is responsible for a shocking 60% of hospital deaths, therefore, this life-threatening health condition is one that should not be overlooked.

Sepsis, sometimes referred to as blood poisoning, happens when an infection in the body triggers the immune system to turn against itself to harm the body’s tissues and even cause organ failure. The reason this happens is that a localised infection in the body has spread toxic substances into the bloodstream. The immune system tries to fight the spread but instead becomes overactive and causes widespread inflammation. This results in septic shock causing a severe drop in blood levels leading to oxygen not being able to reach tissues and organs. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis, usually starting in the lungs from a cut or wound in the gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Other than infection prevention, the best way to help protect yourself if you get sepsis is by knowing the warning signs. Studies show that 80% of deaths relating to sepsis could be avoided with early treatment and diagnosis. Administered early enough, straightforward treatment with intravenous antibiotics and fluids can halt the progress of sepsis and allow patients to make a full recovery.

Sepsis is the number one cause of preventable death and disabilities worldwide. Sepsis is a time-critical condition. If a person has sepsis, then preventing delay in diagnosis and treatment is key.

If sepsis is not treated immediately, it can result in organ failure and death. Yet with early diagnosis, sepsis can be treated with antibiotics. Sepsis deaths are preventable deaths.