Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Health and Children. The enhancement of services to persons with cystic fibrosis has been identified as a key priority by the Minister. As part of the overall funding for health services in 2006, additional funding of almost €5 million has been allocated for the development of cystic fibrosis services. This funding will allow for the recruitment of additional medical, nursing and allied health professional staff, which will greatly improve the delivery of care to persons with cystic fibrosis throughout the country.

Included in the overall funding is an allocation by the HSE of €220,000 to recruit a consultant respiratory physician and support staff for Waterford Regional Hospital, with links to the specialist cystic fibrosis unit at St. Vincent's University Hospital. A paediatric service is in place at Waterford Regional Hospital for children with cystic fibrosis, which is led by a consultant paediatrician. The hospital treats approximately 30 paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. The need to develop services for persons with cystic fibrosis is widely acknowledged. The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland commissioned a review of hospital services with reference to accepted international standards. The report, which was published in 2005, provided an assessment of need for current and future cystic fibrosis patients. It made a number of recommendations regarding the numbers and categories of staff appropriate for a modern, multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis service. The report concluded that cystic fibrosis care should be provided in fewer units of a more significant size so that viable staffing levels can be maintained and staff have a sufficient workload to maintain their skills.

Following publication of the report, the HSE established a multidisciplinary working group to undertake a detailed review of cystic fibrosis services. The working group was asked to review the current configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. It will also make recommendations for the reconfiguration, improvement and development of those services. The working group is due to report shortly and it will make specific recommendations on a range of service improvements for persons with cystic fibrosis, including the future development needs at Waterford.