A patient who, according to Nationalist MP Chis Said had passed away because a helicopter was not available to transfer him to Mater Dei Hospital on time, had been afforded timely and excellent medical care, an inquiry concluded.

Dr Said claimed in Parliament on Wednesday that the government had conducted a cover-up after the patient's death and it was a disgrace that two months later, Steward Healthcare was more intent on hiding what had happened.

In a statement on Thursday, the government said the inquiry established that the medical care and treatment given was according to current established international guidelines and practices.

Protocols were in place on what needed to be done once it was determined that a patient needed to be transferred from Malta and there were arrangements to ensure that the helicopter/air ambulance was always available in case a patient needed to be transferred.

Moreover, it was considered normal practice to make use of the Gozo Channel ferry for the transfer of patients if medical staff considered it necessary.

The inquiry concluded that the procedures followed were in line with established normal practice and protocols and no difficulties were encountered during the transfer of the patient, who was only taken to Mater Dei once the attending physician considered that it was safe to do so.

The air ambulance helicopter was available when a decision was taken that the patient needed transfer to Mater Dei, the inquiry said.

The government said in its statement that although the inquiry was not being published in full to protect the privacy of the patient, Dr Said was being given the opportunity to read the report in a confidential manner.