Cystic Fibrosis facilities 'appalling'

Ireland's treatment services for cystic fibrosis are dangerously inadequate, according to a report commissioned by the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.

The report said Ireland had the highest incidence of the disease in the world and one of the lowest survival rates.

Speaking at the launch of the document today, its author, Dr Ronnie Pollack, said facilities at the National Adult Cystic Referral Centre at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, which treats 60% of Irish people with the disease, were appalling.

"It's staffing is very low in relation to the very large numbers of people it looks after," he said. "It's got no segregation facilities, adult patients who are young and with serious chest diseases and complications are lodged often with geriatric people.

"It's just uncivilised some of the treatment there."