No decision made on creation of national CF office

A decision on whether to establish a national cystic fibrosis office is still under consideration by the HSE.

The creation of such an office was recommended in Cystic Fibrosis: A Model of Care for Ireland, which was published by the national clinical programme for cystic fibrosis (NCPCF) in 2019. 

The model of care recommended that “a national cystic fibrosis office should be established to coordinate, manage, and integrate all aspects of cystic fibrosis care in order to optimise the health and quality-of-life of people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland”.

When asked by the Medical Independent on progress regarding this recommendation, a spokesperson for the Executive said: “This is being considered by the HSE.”

The model of care also recommended that there should be a structured accreditation/peer review process by which cystic fibrosis centres and shared care centres are assessed on a regular basis.

The HSE spokesperson said the accreditation process is still under development by the Executive and national clinical programme. 

The spokesperson pointed out that the HSE has started implementation of the model of care by approving and funding additional cystic fibrosis consultant posts and increased telehealth services. 

“These additional consultants will have at least 70 per cent of their time devoted to the care of people with cystic fibrosis, as specified by the HSE and NCPCF,” according to the spokesperson.

“The HSE recognises the crucial role of the cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team members and the provision of adequate inpatient and daycare rooms for the care of people with cystic fibrosis, as outlined in Cystic Fibrosis: A Model of Care for Ireland. The HSE and NCPCF are committed to correcting deficits in staffing and inpatient and daycare rooms that are outlined in the model of care.”