Cystic fibrosis patient feared MRSA

THESE are the shocking conditions that one cystic Fibrosis sufferer was forced to endure during a stay in hospital this week.

Joanne McPadden (22) was placed in a bed beside caustic glue, dry cement and other chemical substances while she was examined by a doctor at St Vincent’s Hospital, in Dublin, on Wednesday.

She said she was “petrified” because her illness carries an increased risk of MRSA and other infections. In addition, airborne particles from the cement and the other chemicals in the room, meanwhile, have the potential to trigger increased breathing difficulties.

In most developed countries, cystic fibrosis patients are placed in isolation wards to protect them from infections. Builders were walking in and out of the room, however, as a doctor examined Joanne’s chest for infections.

Yesterday, it emerged that almost 7 million, allocated by the Government over the last two budgets to improve Cystic Fibrosis services, has been left unspent due to a cap on hospital staffing by the Department of Health & Children.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) described the situation as “perplexing” and has demanded that the money be put to use immediately.

Ireland has the highest rate of Cystic Fibrosis in the world.

Joanne, who took a shocking picture from her bed using her mobile phone, said: “I was furious... I couldn’t begin to describe how angry I was.

“They were putting down a new floor or something. There were wires everywhere, a builder left his jacket in the room and there was all sorts of material just left on the ground.”

“A workman was coming in and out when the doctor was examining me... I asked the doctor if I could move [and] he agreed it was terrible and... called a nurse to bring me to another room,” added Joanne, who visits the hospital once every three months.

“In most other countries patients are put in single rooms to prevent them from the infection,” she said.

A spokesperson for Saint Vincent’s hospital said the issue will be raised with senior management.

Joe Brown from Kerry, who’s son Padraig (6) suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, said “The average life expectancy of a person with Cystic Fibrosis here is 21. In Britain and the six counties it is 33.”

He blamed this on the fact that there are no dedicated Cystic Fibrosis units anywhere in the country.

Mr Brown has joined up with other parents in an effort to raise 1m to build such a unit at Cork University Hospital.

He is building two houses with donated material and voluntary labour, which will be auctioned to help raise funds.

He will also auction four rugby tickets for the forthcoming games in Croke Park.

Anyone interested can text their bid to 086 2317722. All proceeds will go towards the fund.