The new state-of-the-art outpatient unit for adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH) was officially opened on November 4th by Tánaiste, Micheál Martin TD.
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s Galway branch fundraised €700,000 for the unit, contributing significantly to the €3.64m build.
Joining Tánaiste Micheál Martin was Mary Lane Heneghan, Chairperson of The Galway Branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and Niall Brennan, person with CF and lung transplant recipient.
The new development consists of four single consultation rooms which are crucial in the protection of people with CF, who are at risk from cross infection should they come into contact with others with CF. The unit also has a gymnasium, pulmonary function testing rooms, and multidisciplinary areas, which will be accommodated in a single storey building.
Expected to be operational in Q1 2025, the unit will deliver a patient centred approach providing dedicated areas for the multidisciplinary care team to deliver safe, patient focused care with integral consultative, diagnostic and therapeutic resources.
Speaking at the official opening Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD said: “I’m delighted to be in Galway today to open the state-of-the art new Outpatients Building at Merlin Park University Hospital - an important milestone in healthcare in Galway and across the west which will play a significant role in enhancing services for patients.
"The opening of this new facility is also a key step in GUH’s masterplan and will allow for vital progress to be made on many other projects.”
Mary Lane Heneghan welcomed the opening of the unit, stating: “We are delighted to be here at today in Merlin Park University Hospital opening this outpatient unit for adults with CF. Although people with CF are living longer, CF care is still challenging and difficult and these four isolation rooms as an out-patient facility is.
“The project has been many years of true partnership between GUH, CFI and the HSE and I would like to acknowledge everyone who had a role in bringing it to fruition in particular the fundraising efforts of the people of Galway who raised €700k towards the cost of this project,” she added.
Dr Michael O'Mahony, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Physician said: “The opening of the new Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit represents a major advance in the provision of care for Adult Cystic Fibrosis patients in the West of Ireland. The completion of the Unit represents the collaboration of the HSE, CF Ireland and the Galway CF Association.”
Niall Brennan, a person with Cystic Fibrosis and a lung transplant recipient, attended the opening and said: “I am very happy to be standing here today with representatives from the Cystic Fibrosis community in Galway. As people age with CF, there is a need for increased outpatient care such as this unit so this really is a fantastic day for all CF adults in Galway and the West of Ireland.
“This unit in Merlin Park University Hospital will make CF care much more accessible and will make a huge difference to the CF population in the west.”
Sarah Tecklenborg, Interim CEO Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, said: “CFI are proud to have been able to support the building of the outpatient unit here at Merlin Park University Hospital. As people with CF in Ireland are living longer thanks to excellent multidisciplinary care and new modulator therapies, their medical needs are changing. CF care remains complex and challenging. This new unit is a wonderful step supporting world class care for people living with Cystic Fibrosis in the Galway region.
“A result of many years of collaborative effort and partnership the unit will provide the highest standards of care and facilities for people living with CF now and into the future. CFI and the CF community are so grateful to everyone involved in making this build happen.”
