Build4Life campaign founder and Castleisland native, Joe Browne can at last breathe a sigh of relief. His group’s decade-long fight for a specialist Cystic Fibrosis unit and the people to staff it at Cork University Hospital is about to be won.
And a fight it was. Joe Browne wears his heart on his sleeve and has carried the campaign to both governments in that time and without fear or favour.
On Tuesday night he was on RTÉ’s Prime Time – again, wondering aloud when the unit and all the specialised equipment would be pressed into use for CF patients in the Munster region.
In an article in Tuesday’s Evening Echo the head of the unit, Professor Barry Plant welcomed the announcement of this weekend’s opening and said it is an exciting development in the on-going evolution of CF medicine at CUH.
“We believe that these designated and protected beds will enhance the inpatient and outpatient care for all patients and will be a major support to the CF healthcare team in providing best patient care, in line with best international practice.
“We are very grateful for the on-going support of the philanthropic organisations and industry sponsors, especially Build4Life, who have in partnership with the HSE, made this state-of-the-art Cystic Fibrosis and Respiratory ward happen.”
In welcoming the opening, local TD and Minister of State for Mental Health, Primary Care and Social Care , Kathleen Lynch said that the opening of the unit was a long time coming but was very good news.
“This is a state-of-the-art unit and is quite incredible in terms of its infection control, its IT equipment and other facilities. It is a huge advantage to the Cork, Kerry and Munster region,” said Ms. Lynch.
Joe Browne of Build4Life said: “This is good news, we have waited a long time for this and started fund-raising nine years ago for the unit.”
You can see Tuesday night’s Prime Time programme by clicking on the link here:
