The landscape of global healthcare is entering a bright new era where the patient voice is becoming a primary clinical tool. Across the United States and England, we are seeing the rise of proactive initiatives that offer a hopeful blueprint for the future. At Whelan Law, we believe Ireland stands at an exciting threshold, with the opportunity to adopt these international successes to enhance our own patient safety standards.
By looking at the standards set abroad, we can envision a healthcare system that moves beyond reporting incidents to helping prevent them.
Global Success Stories: Empowering Families
The US and England have demonstrated that when families are empowered, lives are saved. These initiatives represent a major leap forward in compassionate care:
The SEPSIS Act (USA): Following an inspiring 14-year campaign by Irish advocates Ciarán and Órlaith Staunton, the SEPSIS Act was reintroduced into the US Congress in January 2026. This bill aims to bring the proven success of "Rory’s Regulations" to every hospital in America, standardising life-saving sepsis protocols. It is a shining example of how dedicated advocacy can transform national safety.
Martha’s and Jess’s Rules (England): England is leading a fresh eyes revolution. Martha’s Rule in hospitals and Jess’s Rule in primary care provide families with a clear, supported pathway to seek a second opinion. These rules celebrate the intuition of those who know the patient best, treating family concerns as a vital part of the medical team’s toolkit.
Ireland’s Opportunity: Building on the Patient Safety Act 2023
The introduction of the Patient Safety Act 2023 was a significant milestone for Ireland, signaling our commitment to transparency. While the Act currently focuses on mandatory disclosure for 13 specific "Notifiable Incidents", it provides the perfect foundation for even greater progress.
The Path to Expansion: Under Section 8 of the Act, the Minister for Health has the power to expand the list of notifiable incidents. The legislative "machinery" is already in place to bring Ireland’s safety standards in line with the proactive models seen in the US and England.
Learning from the O’Donnell Case: The recent settlement involving Mr. Hugh O’Donnell showed that even in voluntary settings, open disclosure can provide families with a meaningful "path to truth".
By adopting initiatives like Martha’s Rule, we can ensure that every Irish patient benefits from the same proactive safeguards now becoming standard internationally.
Toward a Safer, More Transparent Healthcare System
The global rise of patient safety initiatives is a cause for hope. It shows a collective move toward a healthcare system that is less adversarial and more collaborative. Ireland has the talent, the legislative foundation and the opportunity to become a leader in this movement.
At Whelan Law, we are proud to support this journey. We specialise in navigating the current framework while advocating for a future where every patient’s voice is a cornerstone of their care.
If you are seeking clarity on your rights or wish to learn more about the future of patient safety in Ireland, contact Whelan Law today. Together, we can work toward a more transparent and safer healthcare system for everyone.