Work to begin on cystic fibrosis facility

WORK ON the long-delayed cystic fibrosis unit at St Vincent’s hospital in Dublin is expected to start next Monday following the signing of the contract this week.

St Vincent’s hospital and the contractor John Paul Construction will sign the contract on Friday for the €20 million-plus development – a five-storey, 100-bed hospital block of which two storeys and 30-35 beds in individual ensuite units will be developed exclusively for cystic fibrosis sufferers.

The work is scheduled to start immediately following the signing of the contract as the developer is already on site for another project. The area has been cleared, finance is in place and completion is schedules for mid-2012.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited life-threatening disease which primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Ireland has four times the rate of cystic fibrosis of other EU states and the US and some 1,300 people in Ireland are sufferers.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association, which supports and advocates for those with the disease, is to meet the chief executive of St Vincent’s to discuss possible interim measures pending the completion of the unit.

Fundraising for facilities across the State continues and two Dublin cyclists have begun a five-week, 2,500km cycle around Ireland’s coastal counties, cycling up to 90km daily. Conor Doyle said he and Cathal Phelan were cycling to raise funds but also awareness “of the low standards of treatment facilities available to those living with CF in Ireland”.

A blog about the trip and further information can be found at cyclingforcf.blogspot.com