Video:HSE Decision to postpone Cystic Fibrosis unit at St Vincent's Hospital Dublin must be reversed immediately

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The promise by the Health Service Executive that a new building with state of the art accommodation for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients would be provided at Dublin’s St Vincent’s hospital by 2010 will not be fulfilled.
The HSE has confirmed that funding for constructing the building, which would have about 30 single rooms for CF patients, will not be available “until 2011 at the earliest".

According to FG health Spokesman Dr James Reilly TD

"The lack of appropriate cystic fibrosis beds exposes patients to cross-infection and shortens their lives which are already tragically brief. It is absolutely indefensible that we are still forcing these patients into overcrowded wards that place them literally in mortal danger. I am disgusted by the confirmation today that the promised new 30-bed unit at St Vincent's Hospital has been postponed. Not only that but only eight of 14 single rooms promised as an interim solution while this block was being built have not been delivered.

"We heard on the Liveline programme today how some of the CF patients who contributed to that programme last year have passed away in recent times. By its actions the Government is effectively condemning others to the same fate. Ireland has the highest rate of CF in the world and the strongest mutation of the disease so we need isolated single hospital beds for treatment more than anywhere else in the world. Because we don't have these facilities Irish patients die 10 years earlier than their counterparts in Northern Ireland.

This heartless decision shames Ireland and its people. Undoubtedly the country's public finances are in dire straits and Ministers are strapped for cash. However cutbacks can be made in the machinery of government itself and the resultant savings diverted into this project. The number of Ministers for State could be reduced to 12. Many of the Dail committees could be abolished. TDs expenses could be reduced. Sitting TDs should not draw Ministerial Pensions. Funds could be diverted from the national lottery to this project. Higher paid executives at the HSE could take pay cuts.

The postponement is a death sentence for many cystic fibrosis patients. It is unworthy of a so- called civilized country. Minister for Health Mary Harney must intervene immediately and ensure a continuation of the project. Otherwise the judgement of history will be harsh.