Written answers

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Department of Health

Hospital Facilities

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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912. To ask the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has for upgrading the paediatric unit at Cork University Hospital; the plans to improve the facilities at the hospital for children with cystic fibrosis; the current staffing levels within the unit to deal with children with cystic fibrosis; if there are any plans to increase these levels; if there is access to a child psychologist for children with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19597/14]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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This Government is acutely aware of the challenges facing people with cystic fibrosis and their families and fully acknowledges the need for, and supports the provision of, dedicated accommodation which allows appropriate isolation for improved infection control. There has been significant investment in services for people with cystic fibrosis in the past few years, including at Cork University Hospital. This includes the National Adult Referral Centre, a dedicated CF unit which opened in 2012 at St Vincent's University Hospital, a purpose-built outpatient facility at Beaumont Hospital and a new outpatient facility at Cork University Hospital, which was completed with support from Build4Life as well as Exchequer funding. Other capital projects under way include a dedicated paediatric outpatient CF unit at Galway University Hospital and the development of an inpatient Cystic Fibrosis unit in Cork University Hospital, which are expected to be completed during 2014.

As the Deputy will be aware, difficulties regarding the ring-fencing of beds for CF patients in the Respiratory Unit in Cork University Hospital have been resolved. A contract has been agreed and the project is proceeding as planned. The project will deliver 10 designated single inpatient rooms for adults with CF. In addition, a bed utilisation policy will be put in place to ensure appropriate protected access to these CF-designated beds for adult CF patients. In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

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