CFAI: Cystic fibrosis patients at risk of infection as they wait for hospital room

Five patients with cystic fibrosis are at risk of infection as they wait for a room at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin while purpose-built rooms remain empty, a group has warned today.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) said that the Department of Health and the HSE agreed in July that a number of rooms would be kept free for CF patients - but the group said that this is not being done.

The CFAI also said that it is aware that there is at least one general ward lying idle elsewhere in the hospital and there is also space in the old private patient hospital.

It said that that the situation is likely to worsen as the winter progresses and needs to be resolved now.