Joint Statement

15th April 2011

We welcome the development of the inpatient and day care Cystic Fibrosis unit at St Vincent’s University Hospital. It represents a major improvement in the care of Cystic Fibrosis patients in Ireland. It is essential that all inpatients are cared for by multidisciplinary teams with special training in Cystic Fibrosis and in single en suite rooms.

It is Department of Health policy that there must be sufficient inpatient beds to treat all people with Cystic Fibrosis who require hospitalisation. The number of Cystic Fibrosis inpatients at St Vincent’s University Hospital is expected to vary between 20 and 34. In this respect, 20 inpatient beds is a minimum and not a maximum, and the number of beds with appropriately trained staff can potentially accommodate 34 inpatients.

When the beds are not required for Cystic Fibrosis they will be used for other inpatients with a clearly agreed protocol that there will always be beds available for patients with Cystic Fibrosis who require admission.

Nicky Jermyn, CEO, St Vincent’s University Hospital Group

Dr Charlie Gallagher, Director, National Referral Centre for Adult Cystic Fibrosis

Philip Watt, CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland

Dr Barry White, National Director, Clinical Strategy and Programmes, HSE

If you would like further comments directly from either Philip Watt or Dr Charles Gallagher please contact Deirdre Waldron (086) 6095056; deirdre@fuzion.ie

If you would like further comments from Dr Barry White, please contact Kirsten Connolly (087) 3939991; kirsten.connolly@hse.ie