Opportunity must never be missed again, says Minister

REACTION:MINISTER FOR Health James Reilly has said the circumstances that led to the failure of State authorities to bring Meadhbh McGivern to London for a liver transplant operation must never be allowed to happen again.

Speaking following the publication of the Hiqa report into the case, he said that a new single central control system for making aeromedical transport arrangements for transplant patients and their families – as recommended in the report – would be established.

“If we are to prevent the sort of devastating outcome that the McGivern family underwent, we need a clear and robust process for the organisation and supply of timely and appropriate transport when donated organs become available.”

“While recognising the commitment from the HSE, the Air Corps and the Coast Guard in carrying out patient transportation in the past, the missed opportunity represented by the case of Meadhbh McGivern must not be allowed to happen again.”

The Minster said that he looked forward to the establishment of the national aeromedical co-ordination group and was confident it would produce an effective and pragmatic implementation of the report’s recommendations.

He said this would mean that where Irish patients needed life-saving transplants that were not available here, they could be confident they could take up appropriate offers elsewhere.

The Health Service Executive and Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin said that a revised protocol for patient transfers had been agreed between them and the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard.

Under this revised agreement the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard are responsible for notifying the HSE national ambulance service of the daily availability or unavailability of aircraft to assist with transporting patients.

“Should transport be required, the Air Corps and Coast Guard have committed to confirming aircraft availability to the national ambulance service within 15 minutes of the request.

“Should no State aircraft be available for patient transport, the national ambulance service will inform the hospital, who will then proceed to arrange private air transport.”

Robert Morton, director of the HSE National Ambulance Service said: “This is the first time in our experience that an urgent transfer like this has failed, and we have sincerely apologised to the family for the distress caused, and share their ongoing concern for Meadhbh’s health.

“We will work to ensure that the whole patient transfer system learns from this incident and that we strengthen the service arrangements in line with the investigations carried out.”

Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients’ Association said he hoped that the cost of the new arrangements being put in place would come from “new money” to be given to the health service and would not involved funding being reallocated from elsewhere.