Improvements in cystic fibrosis treatment ‘frightfully slow’

PROGRESS being made to improve treatment facilities for about 1,200 people in Ireland with cystic fibrosis (CF) was described as “frightfully slow” by a leading campaign group.

“We have to ensure that with all the various cutbacks being made in the health service nothing affects the roll-out of CF services that are desperately needed,” said the chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI), Godfrey Fletcher.

Just over 10 years ago a young woman with CF was asked to pose for a photograph at a site in Dublin earmarked for new treatment facilities yet to be developed.

The women was attending St Vincent’s University Hospital for a check-up when a public relations company asked her to pose at the location for a 120-bed isolation unit that would have dedicated beds for CF patients. Mr Fletcher said that building of the unit, which would have about 34 beds for CF patients, was not expected to start until next October.

The building that will take two years to complete will also contain a new liver transplant unit as well as facilities for other patients who need individual rooms.

In the meantime, interim refurbishment works to facilitate the consolidation of CF services within the hospital is continuing. Around eight dedicated beds have been provided and the number will be increased by the end of October.

The lack of isolation facilities at the hospital for CF patients was condemned in a report by British consultant Dr Ronnie Pollock in 2005. The report said the lack of segregation and isolation for CF patients was “dangerous”.

Mr Fletcher was told the building of the unit was on schedule when he met with Health Service Executive officials three weeks ago.

“There is no indication that it is being torpedoed,” he said.

Mr Fletcher said he had also been assured that the appointment of additional respiratory consultants with a special interest in CF to hospitals in Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and Dublin, first announced two years ago, was under way.

“There are a lot of posts still to be filled, including dietitians and psychologists who would be part of the multidisciplinary teams, but, yet again, when I met with the HSE officials I was reassured that those posts are being filled. It is frustrating that it is taking so long,” said Mr Fletcher.

He also pointed out that there were still shortcomings in facilities for CF patients in Cork University Hospital, University College Hospital Galway, Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital.

“Services for CF patients have been badly neglected in the past and we cannot have them delayed any longer,” said Mr Fletcher.