Wide variations in cystic fibrosis care, UK

Main Category: Cystic Fibrosis
Article Date: 01 Nov 2004 - 16:00 PDT

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There are wide variations in the care provided to sufferers of cystic fibrosis, a new study suggests.

A survey conducted by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust found that nearly one-third of patients face problems obtaining adequate life-saving treatment.

The research examined the care of over 2,300 patients and found that many experienced a wide variation in treatment and support - mainly due to all 38 of the UK's specialist cystic fibrosis centres being under-funded.

Rosie Barnes, chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: "The research clearly demonstrates what patients and medical staff have been telling us for some time - that the welcome increase in NHS funding over recent years is simply not getting to the front line of cystic fibrosis care."

However, health minister Stephen Ladyman said the Government is committed to tackling the disease through improved screening and research.

"A package of research was announced last year in the Genetics White Paper including £2.5 million over five years to support gene therapy research for cystic fibrosis and up to £4 million to provide gene therapy vector production for the NHS and other public sector researchers," he said.

"A national roll-out of neonatal cystic fibrosis screening is currently underway."

http://www.hda-online.org.uk

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