THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS UNIT AT ST. VINCENT’S HOSPITAL - THE REAL STORY

I fully share the hurt, the anger and the frustration of the many Cystic Fibrosis patients about the delay at St. Vincent’s Hospital. This worthwhile project has been at the top of my political agenda since 2007.   I have pushed and raised it many times in the Dail.   Before the summer recess, I forced a Dail Debate on the issue and was once again given promises that it would start soon.   I raised it again on the 29th September with the Minister for Health and Children and again in the Dail on the 6th October in front of the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance.   They can not say they did not hear or know about the delays.   This type of medical vandalism has got to stop.   Patients are suffering and their families are traumatised.   This State has let them down.

The historical background to the whole issue goes back many years.   The families of Cystic Fibrosis patients wanted this unit for a long time.   I got directly involved in the issue in 2007 and got a commitment from the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that it would be built.   My agenda was a 34 bed unit with ensuite rooms to deal safely with the cross infection issue.

However, even at this stage I remember petty problems emerging between the Department of Health and Children, the H.S.E. and Management of the Hospital.   The plan was to build 100 beds with some of these dedicated to C. F. patients.   I wanted to tie down 34 beds for the unit.   These beds would then be available for any C.F. patient that was admitted to the hospital.   My position was based on the best medical advice from Charlie Gallagher, Head of the C.F. Department at St. Vincent’s and families of patients.   The H.S.E. seems to resent this and I often wondered if they got distracted with internal turf wars.   However, I kept nagging them,
particularly over the summer period.   After all this was is a life and death issue.

When the next Taoiseach was elected, I got a clear promise from Brian Cowen T.D. that it was going to happen.   A number of senior cabinet ministers told me not to worry; it was going to be built.     Again I also stressed a 34 bed unit.

I wish to focus on the urgent need for a 34 bed unit with ensuite rooms for these patients.   I am frustrated about the delays and cock-ups associated with this project and I am not interested in any bureaucratic nonsense between the Minister, the H.S.E, The Health Department, hospital management and the developers.   The Cystic Fibrosis patients and their families need action.   I urged the Minister and the Government to get on with it and to do it now.

I note the original cost for this new hospital section was estimated to be approximately €30 million to €34 million, which the estimated cost now has fallen to around €20 million.   In other words, it will be developed for €12 million less than was originally planned.   This is not to state that money ever should be an issue on such an important matter but that in the current economic climate, the cystic fibrosis unit is value for money.   It is good for the patients, their families, the hospital and its other patients and the staff but above all it gives Cystic Fibrosis patients a better chance in their lives. There has been enough talk and old guff and it is now time to build the unit.


Consequently, I urge caution on this matter and ask that they accept the principle of 34 bed unit.   I base this on the best international practice.   Approximately 340 cystic fibrosis patients use St. Vincent’s Hospital regularly of whom approximately 10% or 34 patients require a bed each day.  Hence the 34 bed unit.   It is about putting the patient first and trying to ensure a quality service in line with international best practice.   The sad aspect of this project is that there has been too much talk and debate and not enough action.   This is the reason that I again urgently urge movement soon in this regard.

It is not that people cannot do it, for example, consider development at Beaumont Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis specialist centre for North Dublin.   Beaumont Hospital will be the Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Centre for North Dublin a referral point for patients with C.F. from throughout the North-eastern region.   The Beaumont Hospital C.F. multidisciplinary professional team will use the C.F. Unit to provide long-term recurring support for ambulatory patients and their families and carers.   The facility will be for the use of patients with C.F. and will have sufficient capacity, design features and specification to permit the implementation of best practices to minimise cross infection.   The project has been delivered with an allocation of €3.6 million.

The C.F. unit at Beaumont Hospital is now completed.   This is an example of a project that is up and running for families and I am glad to have been associated with it for the past few years.   It is great to see it being delivered for C.F. patients on the Northside of Dublin.

As for St. Vincent’s Hospital, I urge the Minister to seriously push this agenda, as the C.F. patients cannot wait any longer.   Finally, I urge the Minister to get on with the job, to build the C.F. Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital and to roll out the other services nationwide.   C.F. patients are sick and tired of waiting.   I commend great people such as Charlie Gallagher, Gerry McElvaney and Orla Tinsley, as well as the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, for their great work, perseverance and dignity.   I again urge the Minister to act on this matter.

FINIAN MCGRATH T.D. (IND)
DUBLIN NORTH CENTRAL