Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The need to improve services for persons with cystic fibrosis has been identified by the Minister for Health and Children as a priority in the Estimates process in recent years. Since 2006, additional revenue funding of €6.78 million has been allocated to the HSE to develop services for CF patients. The executive has advised that 44 additional staff dealing with cystic fibrosis have been appointed to date in Limerick regional hospital and eight other hospitals. The necessary funding is available to facilitate the recruitment of a further 37 staff nationally, including staff for the mid-western region.

With regard to the specific issues raised by the Deputy, the HSE has advised that the current adult CF service for the mid-west region is provided in Limerick regional hospital by two consultant respiratory physicians providing inpatient and outpatient services for adult patients. The CF service for children is provided by a consultant paediatrician providing inpatient and outpatient services. Two nurse specialists currently cover both the paediatric and adult CF services. Both services are supported by a dedicated team, which includes a social worker, a dietician, a physiotherapist and a pharmacist.

An audit of CF staffing at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital was carried out in 2005. The HSE has since earmarked funding for the creation of 8.5 additional posts to enhance both the adult and paediatric CF service. The additional staff include a consultant respiratory physician with a special interest in cystic fibrosis and a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in respiratory medicine, supported by specialist nurses, a physiotherapist, a dietician, a social worker, a pharmacist and a medical scientist post. The HSE has advised that the dietician, the social worker and 0.5 of the physiotherapist post have been filled, the consultant posts are under consideration and it is in the process of recruiting the remaining posts.

The Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, has provided three dedicated rooms, which are ring-fenced for adult CF patients. These rooms may be used for other patients if not required for CF patients. Paediatric CF patients are accommodated in the paediatric unit. The Minister is confident that these developments will significantly enhance the service provided for persons with cystic fibrosis.

See this speech in context