The Opposition spokesman for health, Claudio Grech, criticised the government today for not having taken effective action to ensure that the St Luke’s Hospital helipad was secure round the clock.

In a statement Claudio Grech expressed concern over the different versions of the incident given in a Department of Health press release on Monday morning and a press conference in the afternoon.

Such contradictory statements and lack of precise information on who had actually been blocking the helipad could undermine public confidence in the health authorities, Mr Grech said. It was not clear if whoever blocked the helipad had authorised access.

A Times of Malta reporter tested access to the helipad - and was able to park unhindered.

Mr Grech said comments by governemnt officials that the case had no impact on a Gozitan patient who was airlifted to Malta and later died prejudiced the Magisterial inquiry. Such premature statements were unacceptable and insensitive.

Mr Grech said the helipad was an essential element of the infrastructure, needed in case of a national emergency, and the fact that this incident had happened showed a lack of proper administration and control.

Referring to the fact that a Times of Malta reporter was also able to park his car on the helipad yesterday, Mr Grech said administration of such an important site remained defective.

He called on the government to publish a factual chronology of what had happened.

Reporter parks on helipad one day after controversy. See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140813/local/hospital-helipad-still-accessible-to-all.531635