CF patients will die without basic facilities

WELL now the gloves are really off. Anyone who thought that the Government had its citizens at the core of the fight against the recession should think again.

Last year the Government made a commitment, through the HSE, to develop a 34-bed inpatient facility and separate day care at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin to cater for the medical needs of People With Cystic Fibrosis (PWCF).

They accepted that it was the minimum level of facilities needed for PWCF attending the centre and then they took the praise for being so responsible and responsive.

Last week's decision to postpone indefinitely the building of the centre is not just disappointing — it is devastating and horrific to PWCF and their families.

Since last October, ministers have been at pains to tell us that the vulnerable in society must be protected during this recession, they should not bear the brunt of cutbacks.

This decision will impact in the worst possible way on some PWCF; they will die waiting for basic facilities.

Under this Governments plans people will pay a big price during this recession, pensioners, carers, the unemployed and people with disabilities will all be targeted so that the books can be balanced, however our own citizens are our first priority.

A measure of any society is how its most vulnerable people are treated and protected.

We have a new currency in Ireland, the currency of people's lives.

This government is willing to sacrifice those lives as collateral damage unless we say stop now.

Paul Higgins

Chairperson

Southern Branch

Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland

Manor Hill

Ballincollig

Co Cork