Failing to ask some vital questions

THE concisely titled HIQA “Report of the inquiry into the circumstances that led to the failed transportation of Meadhbh McGivern for transplant surgery and the existing inter-agency arrangements in place for people requiring emergency transportation for transplant surgery” makes for interesting reading.

It may be noted that in New Zealand “If the [New Zealand liver transplant] unit perceives that there is a high likelihood of a patient, near the top of the waiting list, not getting to Auckland City Hospital on time, patients may be asked to relocate if possible to one of the major cities so that they can fly directly to Auckland”.

Why is that practice not followed for Irish patients? Would it not be much more safe, practical, and inexpensive? Also, is it not appreciated that helicopter operations may be severely limited by Irish weather conditions? Perhaps most important of all, why does nobody ask these questions?