Cystic fibrosis: Sufferers ‘dying 10 years too early’

CYSTIC fibrosis (CF) sufferers in the Republic are condemned to die 10 years earlier than their counterparts in the North due to government indifference, opposition parties claim.

Fine Gael health spokesman James Reilly described the situation as “scandalous” as he demanded greater urgency in helping the country’s 1,100 CF patients.

During a debate on the illness, mental healthcare and treatment of elderly people, he condemned lack of implementation of the three-year-old Pollock report into aiding CF sufferers who face a serious risk of a fatal cross-infection due to lack of isolation facilities.