Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the cystic fibrosis unit in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; his plans to extend the cystic fibrosis services; if he will take into consideration that Peamount Hospital, Dublin, is suitably situated to provide such a service; if he will consider it becoming a satellite clinic of St. Vincent's Hospital to cover the west Dublin area; his further plans to develop cystic fibrosis services throughout 2012 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8287/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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St Vincent's University Hospital is the designated National Adult Referral Centre for patients with Cystic Fibrosis. Phase 2 of the development at St Vincent's Hospital is designed to provide a state of the art clinical building which will include up to date isolation facilities with accommodation for people with cystic fibrosis and others requiring such facilities. The new unit is due to open in June 2012. The unit will also provide a dedicated CF Day Unit, containing offices, treatment rooms, together with 10 single day treatment rooms, each with en-suite sanitary facilities for treating patients with cystic fibrosis. The hospital management in conjunction with relevant stakeholders is currently preparing plans for the transfer of patients to the new accommodation to take place as soon as possible.

It is important to avoid the exposure of CF patients to possible sources of infection. With this in mind, the HSE and hospitals aim to minimise the need to admit such patients to hospital. The long-term objective is to provide treatment for CF patients on an ambulatory day-care basis, as close as possible to their home.

I recently approved a lotto grant of €150,000 to Build Life Cystic Fibrosis group in Cork/Kerry towards the cost of a plan for a dedicated 10 bed unit for Cystic Fibrosis in Cork University Hospital. I will be reviewing this project positively this year. I also intend to examine some other projects to provide extra services for CF patients.

Peamount Hospital is currently in discussion with the HSE regarding future service delivery. The primary focus of discussion is around the implementation of national policy on congregated settings for persons with a disability and on how the hospital can support Tallaght Hospital by enhancing transitional care and step down facilities.