Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Dooley for raising this important issue.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland commissioned Dr. Ronnie Pollock to review existing hospital services for cystic fibrosis in the context of accepted international standards. The report, which was published in 2005, provided an assessment of need for current and future cystic fibrosis patients. Following publication of the Pollock report, the Health Service Executive established a working group to undertake a detailed review of cystic fibrosis services. The remit of the group, which was multi-disciplinary in its composition, was to review the configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland.

In recognition of the need to improve services for these patients, the Minister for Health and Children identified the development of cystic fibrosis services as a policy priority. As Deputy Dooley stated, additional funding of €6.78 million was provided to the Health Service Executive in 2006 and 2007 to develop these services. The HSE has advised that 44 additional staff dealing with cystic fibrosis have been appointed to date across a number of hospitals, including 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-west region. The services in place for cystic fibrosis patients in the mid-west region were built up over a number of years, as acknowledged in the Pollock report.

The current adult cystic fibrosis service for the mid-western region is provided at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick by two consultant respiratory physicians providing inpatient and outpatient services. The cystic fibrosis service for children is provided by a consultant paediatrician and involves both inpatient and outpatient services. Two nurse specialists currently cover both the paediatric and adult cystic fibrosis services. Adult and paediatric cystic fibrosis services are also supported by a dedicated team, which includes a social worker, a dietician, a physiotherapist and a pharmacist.

The Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, provides three dedicated rooms for adult cystic fibrosis patients. These rooms may be used for other patients if not required for cystic fibrosis patients. Paediatric cystic fibrosis patients are accommodated in the paediatric unit.

With regard to additional clinical posts mentioned by Deputy Dooley, eight and a half additional clinical posts have been approved to enhance the adult and paediatric cystic fibrosis service in the mid-west. Four of these posts are now in place and recruitment arrangements for the remainder are in train. This includes the two additional consultant appointments the Deputy referred to, which are proceeding through the recruitment stages. Subject to a satisfactory outcome to the recruitment process, the remaining appointees for the mid-west are expected to take up posts in 2009.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Minister is confident that these developments will significantly enhance the level of service provided for persons with cystic fibrosis in the HSE mid-western area.

See this speech in context