Lottery funding approval clears way for €3m ward

THE Government sanctioned lottery funding yesterday clearing the way for the development of a dedicated €3 million ward at Cork University Hospital (CUH) for adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

Health Minister Dr James Reilly approved an application from the Build4Life charity for a total of €300,000 of lottery funding towards the development of the ward. The money will be paid in two €150,000 installments.

Build4Life, founded four years ago by friends and family of CF patients in Cork and Kerry, has raised almost €3m to improve facilities at CUH for patients with CF.

It helped fund the development of an adult outpatient clinic at CUH, which opened last June.

Build4Life chairman, Joe Browne, said the unit is “world class” and boasts the most modern isolation facilities which virtually eliminate the risks to CF patients of cross-infection.

But he said Build4Life had ring-fenced €2m for the development of the adult ward and yesterday’s funding announcement clears the way for that project to proceed next year.

“This is great news for Cork and Munster,” he said.

“CUH treats 25% of Ireland’s CF population and these new facilities will be the best in the world.”

Medical experts have identified Ward 5B as the location for an 11-bed adult in-patient CF ward. It will cost some €3m to adapt it for CF patients.

But the ward will also cater for other patients with a respiratory illness.

Build4Life is contributing 80% of the funding towards the project.

Mr Browne hailed the funding approach as a model of how philanthropists can work with the State for the benefit of patients.

A project team is now drawing up plans for the new ward and Mr Browne said he hopes it will be ready for patients by this time next year.

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer, the chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, welcomed the news.

“The funding decision by the Minister is recognition of the campaigning efforts of Build4Life,” he said.

“I hope that the additional funding required to complete this facility can be provided next year.

“In the interim the good working relationship between Build4Life, the HSE and Minister should be used to develop a programme to bring about the successful conclusion of this project.”

Fine Gael Kerry South TD, Brendan Griffin, also welcomed the news.

“I understand the Minister will meet with the HSE to review the project early in the New Year, when he will consider its viability in terms of the Government’s capital spending plan,” he said

“Minister Reilly has made it a priority of his to ensure there are sufficient in-patient beds to treat CF sufferers.”

Build4Life now plans to raise €1.5m to build a dedicated unit at CUH for children with CF.

* www.build4life.net