HSE apologises to family of five-year-old Kate Colum and signals reform
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has formally apologised to the family of Kate Colum, a five-year-old girl from Strokestown, Co Roscommon, who died following a severe Strep A infection at Sligo University Hospital (SUH). The inquest outcome, delivered after more than two years of proceedings, found that medical misadventure contributed to her death. Kate’s parents, Claire and Matthew Colum, said the verdict does not bring their daughter back, but it closes a painful chapter and allows them to remember Kate for who she was—a joyful child with a love of farming, play and family life.
What the inquest found
Kate was admitted to SUH on 29 March 2023 by ambulance, discharged, and then readmitted the following Friday. The inquest heard that she died of a severe acute Strep A infection with organ dysfunction consistent with sepsis and potential strep toxic shock. Barrister Keith O’Grady, representing the Colum family, stated that Kate should not have been discharged on the morning of 30 March 2023 and that the discharge contributed to her death. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of death as a result of medical misadventure and acknowledged that Kate’s death could have been prevented with different care decisions.
Family response and moving forward
In the wake of the verdict, the Colums expressed gratitude for the outcome and spoke of the positive memories of their daughter: “Kate’s smile was infectious, her laugh, her love farming with the boys, her love of bottle feeding the sheep, the trampoline, chocolate buttons, colouring and watching Peppa Pig.” They described a life full of school, dancing and farming with her father, and said they hoped to preserve Kate’s memory by educating others.
A commitment to safer care for children with additional needs
Following the inquest, the Colum family agreed to collaborate with the HSE on enhanced training for professionals when dealing with children who have Down syndrome or additional neurodivergent needs. A central element of the plan is the KATE acronym, designed to shape care approaches for such children:
- K – Kind: to acknowledge the daily emotional and physical demands faced by children and their families.
- A – Alert: to recognise that serious medical problems can be present even if a child appears well.
- T – Time: to ensure thorough assessment and monitoring, as deterioration can occur quickly.
- E – Experts: to value input from parents or guardians, who know their child best.
HSE senior counsel Luan Ó Braonáin, speaking on behalf of SUH management and staff, offered a sincere apology and undertook to implement recommendations to prevent similar situations in the future. Kate’s mother, in recounting her daughter’s health, stressed that Down syndrome did not affect Kate’s health adversely, highlighting the need for careful, informed assessments rather than assumptions.
The wider impact
The inquest heard accounts from medical professionals detailing Kate’s final days, and the Colums asserted that better training will benefit other patients. Coroner Fergal Kelly noted that Kate’s name and the lessons learned will live on in future care practices, and he acknowledged the profound love Kate received from her family and community.
Closing thoughts
As the Colums move forward, they hope the KATE acronym will become an embedded standard in pediatric care. They described Kate as “a little girl who led a very full life,” and they expressed the desire to remember her memory with positivity while ensuring that other children’s lives are safeguarded through improved medical training.
