Madam, - Cystic fibrosis is more common in Ireland than in any other European country. It materially affects the quality and length of patients' lives as their tendency towards chest infections damages the lungs over time. On the positive front, international experience has shown that these effects can, to an extent, be mitigated by early and aggressive treatment of such infections.
The Pollock Report, released over a year ago, shows Ireland to be materially behind our neighbours in terms of care for cystic fibrosis patients. Since then, despite the best efforts of the excellent medical teams and the promises of our politicians, there is minimal tangible evidence of improved physical facilities for the treatment of the disease in our hospitals. In particular, we still find cystic fibrosis patients being place in general wards alongside other patients in ill health and hence exposed to the very infections that most threaten them. Dedicated facilities are the solution.
On attending the CF Association of Ireland conference last weekend I witnessed patients emotionally describing their visceral fear of having to spend time as an in-patient in hospital. And this fear is well founded. A cystic fibrosis patient entering a public ward in an Irish hospital is stepping into danger. It is no coincidence that people with cystic fibrosis stand a better chance of living long and healthy lives in the UK (including Northern Ireland) than they do in the Republic.
It is only a matter of time before what amounts to criminal negligence is tested in court and the Government is forced to act. In the meantime, my family and other families like us are forced to consider emigration. How can we morally justify staying in our home country if the lack of adequate hospital resources is likely materially to impair the length and quality of our children's lives? - Yours, etc,
SEÁN CROWE, Claremont Park, Dublin 4.