Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [13932/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have consistently emphasised the need to improve facilities and services to persons with cystic fibrosis. Some 48 additional staff (19 at St Vincent's), including consultant, nursing and allied health professionals, have been appointed across the hospital system in recent years to enhance the level of services provided for persons with cystic fibrosis. St. Vincent's Hospital is the national adult tertiary referral centre for patients with cystic fibrosis. A number of capital projects to improve the quality of accommodation have been completed at the hospital. These include the refurbishment last year of accommodation to provide eight single en-suite rooms for the exclusive use of people with cystic fibrosis.

The eight single rooms have improved the quality of service for people with cystic fibrosis. The hospital's management works closely with doctors caring for cystic fibrosis patients to ensure that the needs of those patients requiring treatment are met within the overall bed complement at the hospital. It is intended that a proposed 120 bed development will include dedicated facilities for patients with cystic fibrosis. These facilities will include appropriate isolation facilities. Design work and preparation of tender documents continue in respect of the development. A number of other significant capital developments are being progressed for cystic fibrosis patients throughout the country, including in Beaumont Hospital.

The HSE's Expert Advisory Group on Children and Families produced a draft policy document on the implementation of a cystic fibrosis screening programme for newborns. A Steering Group will be established in 2009 to oversee the roll out of the screening programme. An independent register for Cystic Fibrosis has been established. It is expected that preliminary data to fully inform analysis relating to median survival here will be available by the third quarter 2009.

I am conscious that further improvements are required, including the need to develop community outreach services to facilitate the treatment of patients outside of a hospital setting where appropriate. Taken together, the planned developments represent a tangible improvement in the quality of services for people with cystic fibrosis.