CF unit decision is ‘psychological blow’

There is enough money to build the much-needed new ward at St Vincent’s that will house a 30-bed isolation unit for cystic fibrosis patients – if CF is prioritised, and if the Government takes into account dropping building costs, the CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland told IMT.
Godfrey Fletcher said he wants the decision, announced at a recent Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health, reversed. It has been a ‘psychological blow’ to all CF patients and their families, said Fletcher.

The unit was supposed to be in operation by 2010. The HSE’s position is that capital funding to begin building will not be available until 2011 at the earliest.
Dr James Reilly, the Fine Gael Health Spokesperson, said the postponement is ‘disgusting’.
The Government is trying to regain control of the public finances by hitting the most vulnerable instead of starting at the top, he said.
“The lack of appropriate cystic fibrosis beds exposes patients to cross-infection and shortens their lives, which are already tragically brief. It is absolutely indefensible that we are still forcing these patients into overcrowded wards that place them, literally, in mortal danger.”