Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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182. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed up to date progress report on the new cystic fibrosis unit at Cork University Hospital; when will the project be complete; the total cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38875/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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This Government's policy to ensure that patients with cystic fibrosis receive the right care at the right time and in the right environment - that is, dedicated accommodation in an environment which allows appropriate isolation for improved infection control. There have been a number of developments in this area in recent years including the new Nutley Wing (opened summer 2012) at St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH); a new purpose-built dedicated Ambulatory Outpatient facility at Beaumont for patients with Cystic Fibrosis; the provision of specialist adult and paediatric centres at a number of hospitals and screening of newborns for cystic fibrosis.

In relation to Cork University Hospital I am informed that the hospital is both an Adult and a Paediatric centre for patients with CF. Currently the Adult centre caters for approximately 160 adults and the Paediatric centre approximately 90 children with CF. The CUH Centre is the second largest centre in the country for patients with CF catering for the clinical needs of almost 25% of the entire CF population in Ireland.

Outpatient facilities

In October 2011 a Cystic Fibrosis outpatient facility was opened which provides dedicated facilities which are state of the art. This day care unit has the following facilities:

- Reception 7 waiting area

- Patient review rooms x 5

- Patient Gym

- Patient Facilities

- Staff Facilities

- Multidisciplinary team meeting room

In-patient Facilities

The CUH Executive Management Board is committed to developing an Adult CF unit which will be incorporated into a new Respiratory ward. The unit is to be provided in the main ward block of CUH. CUH is in a unique position to progress this development with the support of local philanthropic support. 'Build 4 Life' (a support group for the development of capital resources in Adult CF for the CUH) have raised approximately €2.2 million, including funding made available from my Department's allocation of National Lottery funding. In addition, enhanced paediatric CF facilities will be developed as part of the new paediatric unit. The final design plans have been signed off by the project group and tender documentation has been collated and signed off. It is proposed to issue the tender in the coming weeks the equipment list has been prepared and costed and the estimated completion date of the project is March 2014.