Specialised €2.3m CF unit will enhance care, says consultant

The opening of a new €2.3 million specialised Cystic Fibrosis unit at the second largest CF centre in the country at Cork University Hospital (CUH) will enhance the quality of care for both inpatients and outpatients with the condition, a leading consultant has declared.

Prof Barry Plant, Lead for Cystic Fibrosis Medicine at CUH, welcomed the new 20-bed unit which began taking patients in October but which was officially opened on Monday by Minister of State at the Department of Health, Kathleen Lynch TD.

“I am delighted with the opening of the dedicated adult CF and respiratory ward. It is an exciting and important development in the ongoing evolution of CF medicine at Cork University Hospital, the second largest CF centre nationally,” said Prof Plant.

‘Major support’

“We believe that these designated and protected beds will enhance the inpatient and outpatient care for all patients and will be a major support to the CF healthcare team in providing best patient care, in line with best international practice.”

Munster-based CF charity Build4Life raised €2.3 million for the construction and equipping of the new 20-bed respiratory unit at CUH, where four beds in single rooms have been ringfenced specifically for patients with CF.

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch paid tribute to Build4Life chairman Joe Browne and the members of the charity for their "tremendous fundraising efforts" which had helped make the specialist unit a reality.

“Credit first and foremost must go to Joe Browne and all involved in Build4Life ... this achievement was even greater when one considers that many of the volunteers and family involved were also with dealing with the challenges of Cystic Fibrosis.

“The evidence of all that hard work is here today, in the shape of this magnificent new development. In caring for people with CF within the health system, it should always be our aim to minimise hospital admissions as much as possible.

"However, when hospital admission is necessary, the need for dedicated accommodation is paramount. This ward, with single bedrooms and state-of-the-art infection control, will be a great boost for CF patients and their families in the Munster area."

Significant step

Ms Lynch's comments were echoed by Prof Geraldine McCarthy, chair of the South/South West Hospital Group, who said the new ward marked a significant step in providing improved services for CF patients in the south of the country, and also praised Mr Browne's work.

“I wish to wholeheartedly thank Build4Life and Joe Browne. Without Joe’s huge fundraising efforts to the tune of €2.3 million, we would not be here today. This new unit will contribute towards better patient care, better patient treatment and overall better patient outcomes.”

Tony McNamara, CUH chief executive, said the new unit marked the culmination of a lengthy period of planning, design, construction, equipping and staffing, and CUH management was committed to the ongoing development of facilities for CF patients.