€150,000 for Mid-West CF centre

FUNDING worth €150,000 has been allocated to help develop a new cystic fibrosis (CF) centre in the Mid-West, according to Clare TD Timmy Dooley.

In a statement issued to The Clare Champion, Deputy Dooley said he had sourced funding from the Department of Health through the National Lottery Scheme.
The funding will go towards a new in-patient cystic fibrosis unit for patients throughout Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
“This project is an amazing initiative that was set in train by CF groups throughout Clare, Limerick and Tipperary,” said Deputy Dooley.
“Their goal is simple, to provide a new dedicated facility at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick that will be of benefit to CF patients and their families in the Mid-West region.”
Given the increase in the number of adult CF patients attending Limerick regional hospital, he acknowledged that the facility is badly needed and predicted it would provide tremendous support to CF patients and their families once it is in place.
“The target is to raise €3.5 million for the development of the centre. I hope this latest funding announcement will give the groups involved some encouragement and that it will allow them to continue their great work and to get others to support this very worthy project,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Dooley has learned that the interview process for both the consultant paediatrician and adult consultant physician for cystic fibrosis positions have concluded.
The Public Appointments Commission has made a recommendation for both posts to the HSE in the Mid-West. The HSE will now discuss an agreed start date with the consultants.
“I know this will come as a great relief to those people in Clare affected by cystic fibrosis and their families,” said Deputy Dooley.
“They have been pressing for these positions to be filled for some time so now that progress has been made, I’m sure they will be keen to see these new staff members in place as soon as possible.”