Vol. 455 No. 3
8 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to include a Cystic Fibrosis Adult Unit in the Phase 2 extension of Castlebar Hospital, County Mayo, in order to serve the west and north-west regions. [10545/95]
(Limerick East): I understand that the Western Health Board has indicated that the bed complement agreed on the medical side for the development of Phase 2 at the hospital is adequate to meet any needs arising for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients.
The board is arranging to have this matter examined in conjunction with the appropriate members of the consultant medical staff in Mayo General Hospital, with a view to the formulation of an appropriate policy for the treatment of CF patients. The board has indicated that such a policy would be based on the maximum use of facilities in the community, with reliance on hospital support where necessary.
There are 30 paediatric CF patients in Mayo at present. As the Minister knows, the unfortunate people with this condition are living longer on account of medical treatment and the progress which has been made with this condition over a number of years. Therefore, these children will become adults and they need to be cared for in a local setting. That is why the question asked if there will be a local service. They do not even need a unit but a service which would mean an extra physiotherapist, an extra dietician and an extra nurse with an interest in cystic fibrosis. There are already paediatricians and adult physicians there. Could the Minister give a commitment to giving such a service in Mayo?
(Limerick East): As the Deputy knows, phase 2 of the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, is being planned at the moment and a certain complement of medical beds has been agreed. Within the context of that complement, the Western Health Board has informed the Department of Health that there are sufficient beds for treatment along the lines suggested by the Deputy, especially when that is complemented by services in the community.
I accept that, but is the Minister prepared to make a special allotment of finance to ensure that this service will be available?
(Limerick East): The health board tells me that there are sufficient facilities being planned now in phase 2 of the hospital. Obviously, when that phase goes from the planning to the construction and fit-out phase extra staff will have to be employed to run it.
