Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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219. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an ambulance ran out of fuel while transferring a patient from Cork to Dublin for an urgent lung transplant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44032/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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On 19 September this year, an ambulance broke down near Dublin while transferring a patient from Cork for a transplant procedure. The patient, who was ambulant, completed the transfer in a second vehicle and successfully received the planned treatment.

The cause of the breakdown has been identified as a lack of fuel. The National Ambulance Service has commenced a full investigation of the incident, involving local management and HR in line with normal operating policy and procedures.

In view of patient and third party confidentiality, it is not proposed to comment further on the details of this incident, other than to state that any potential delay arising from the incident had no adverse clinical effect on the recipient or the outcome of the procedure.