Galway University Hospitals has announced that work is underway on the new Adult Cystic Fibrosis Out Patient Department at Merlin Park. Once complete, the Adult CF OPD will have sufficient capacity, design features and specification to allow for best practices in Cystic Fibrosis treatment.
The new build will minimise cross infection and enable the Merlin Park University Hospital CF multidisciplinary professional team to provide long-term, recurrent support for ambulatory patients.
The project consists of replacement accommodation for Adult Cystic Fibrosis OPD services. The facility will take about nine months to construct. It will cost an estimated €3.7 Million to complete, with the CF association contributing €700,000.
Mary Lane Heneghan of The Galway Branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland welcomed the progress, saying the forthcoming out-patient unit in Merlin Park University Hospital for adults with CF is a partnership initiative between GUH, CFI and the HSE.
“It follows on from a similar partnership initiative for Paediatric Outpatients in 2014, which was supported by a house being bequeathed by Andy Browne, uncle of Marion Keane.
“I wish to acknowledge the fundraising efforts of the people of Galway over many years which has raised €700k towards the cost of this project. This is a time of hope for people with CF in the West of Ireland,” she added.
David Coen, a patient with Cystic Fibrosis attended the sod turning yesterday (Wednesday )
“This is a very happy day for all CF adults in Galway and the West of Ireland. Since adults like me got the new medication our lives have been changed and there is less need for long term stays as an in-patient and greater need for an Outpatients Unit for our ongoing care.
“This Unit, in Merlin Park University Hospital will be much more accessible with better parking and it will make a huge difference to adults with CF.
“I would also like to thank Dr O’Mahony (CF Consultant ) and his wonderful team in Galway University Hospital for their ongoing care and support,” he added.
Philip Watt CEO Cystic Fibrosis Ireland also attended the turning of the sod.
“The Adult CF Outpatient unit will be another significant positive step in providing not just adequate but world class services for adults with CF in greater Galway area. It is a time of great hope in CF care through a combination of new and innovative medications: more resources for clinical staff and improved CF hospital centres. However, CF is still a very challenging life-threatening disease,” he said.
Mr Watt thanked Galway University Hospital; HSE West and the Galway branch (Regional Branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland ) for all their work in progressing the unit.
Chris Kane, hospital manager for Galway University Hospitals said that University Hospital Galway is designated as a Specialist CF Centre for adult patients in the West and a referral point for people with Cystic Fibrosis throughout the Connaught region.
“This state-of-the-art CF out patients department will ensure that we provide the highest standard of care to our CF adult patients across the region.
“This is a coordinated and collaborative project between the HSE, Saolta, GUH and CF Galway/Ireland and I want to thank CF Ireland and the local branch who tirelessly fundraised to make this project a reality. It will make an immense difference to patients and their families,” she added.
Ann Cosgrove, Chief Operating Officer for the Saolta University Health Care Group also welcomed the progress.
"The new CF Out-Patient Department will improve facilities and services for patients with cystic fibrosis in our region. We are delighted to see this important development progress and look forward to opening the doors of the new unit in 2024.
I wish to thank The Galway Branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland for their ongoing support, funding and collaboration and also to CF Ireland for their ongoing support," she concluded.
