New cystic fibrosis ward opens today

A new in-patient cystic fibrosis ward will open at Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin today.

There are four isolation rooms in the facility, as well as ante rooms and an air filtration system.

Children will also have dedicated play facilities to reduce the risk of cross infection, and each room has a bed for a parent to stay overnight.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association raised €750,000 of the €1m needed to build the new ward. The group said that it is delighted to see the facility open today.

Ireland has the highest incidence of Cystic Fibrosis in the world with one in 19 individuals carrying the altered CF gene.