Irish lung transplant unit hopes hit by delays

THE State’s controversial lung swap agreement with an English hospital may have to continue indefinitely as delays prevent the completion of the country’s own transplant unit.

Two or three lung transplants a year will be carried out at the Mater Hospital in Dublin when the transplant unit under development there begins performing surgery on a restricted basis later this year but there is a demand for at least 20 a year.

Cystic fibrosis sufferer Billy Burke, who has fallen between the cracks of the inter-country agreement said last night the only solution was to have an Irish-based transplant service.