Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

172 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a pedipack containing a blood box from Pelican House, urgently required in Castlebar General Hospital, County Mayo, was instead delivered by taxi to University College Hospital, Galway, and that this was located after a number of telephone calls and was then sent by taxi from Galway to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24500/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I had inquiries made of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in relation to this matter and am advised as follows.

The incident took place on 4 November 1999. A blood box was labelled by the IBTS in Pelican House for delivery to Castlebar General Hospital. This was inadvertently mislabelled by Fastrack at Heuston Station and subsequently delivered to University College Hospital, Galway. On receipt of the blood box, University College Hospital, Galway, contacted the General Hospital, Castlebar, and arranged for a taxi to bring it to Castlebar. The delivery was not sent from Galway back to Dublin as suggested in the question.

Every year the IBTS arrange with CIE for about 3,000 deliveries of blood to various destinations around the country. This delivery service is available to the IBTS seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year. This service is usually excellent and the IBTS acknowledges and appreciates the service it receives. The difficulties experienced on this occasion are exceptional and very much regretted by all concerned.