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Question to First Minister on Cystic Fibrosis
posted on 03/06/2009
Lorraine Barrett: Will the First Minister make a statement on the provision of care for cystic fibrosis patients in Wales?
The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): The Specialist Adult Centre for Cystic Fibrosis at Llandough Hospital, in your constituency, cares for 180 adults who have what is the UK’s most common inherited life-threatening disease. I visited the centre on 19 December 2007 with the world-famous Dr Ian Campbell. Patients in north Wales are treated at either Ysbyty Glan Clwyd or at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.
Lorraine Barrett: Thank you for that response, First Minister. As you probably know, more than 8,000 people in the UK are affected by cystic fibrosis, and exercise is an effective way to help patients, as it prevents the deterioration of the lungs. Will you join me in expressing your support for the start-up scheme at Llandough Hospital, and will you see what you can do to encourage other hospitals and local health boards to support such schemes? Patients are encouraged to undertake the start-up scheme to gain the confidence to go to a community gym to exercise. People with cystic fibrosis are apparently reluctant to go into mainstream gyms, and so anything that can be done to encourage them to take up an exercise regime can only be to their benefit.
The First Minister: That is an excellent point. The old attitude to diseases such as cystic fibrosis was to coddle and protect patients, but now, with specialised physiotherapy and tailor-made exercise programmes, the idea is that people can progress to an enjoyment of life despite the huge problems that CF can cause. The all-Wales CF centre at Llandough carried out a review of CF services in April 2008, which showed the clearly evident commitment and skill of the enthusiastic and dedicated multidisciplinary team. I am sure that that team does not merely comprise the medical and consultant staff, but also those who get CF people out into the community using leisure centres, provided that they have a tailor-made programme that suits them and can expand their lung capacity.
