HSE urged to provide care programme for lung patients
THE HSE and Department of Health have been urged to establish a clinical care programme for lung fibrosis patients amid concerns their care will be compromised by cancelled or postponed hospital appointments and treatments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Up to 400 Irish people suffer from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a serious, progressive and life-limiting chronic respiratory illness.
The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association is to launch a report examining the effect of COVID-19 on lung fibrosis patients, carers and healthcare professionals at a Patient Information Day next Saturday, July 11.
The survey had 239 responses in total (including 111 patients, 59 carers/family members and 49 healthcare professionals) and was undertaken in late April and early May of this year.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the report, ILFA Chairman Eddie Cassidy said patients and their families faced an anxious and uncertain future.
“Most people in Ireland are getting ready to return to work or return to some kind of normality but this won’t be possible for many of our patients who will remain high-risk and extremely vulnerable because of their underlying lung disease.
“We feel that under the current circumstances with respiratory health and respiratory illnesses under the microscope that there has never been a more appropriate time for the Government and the Department of Health to take the necessary steps to protect all of our most vulnerable patients in Ireland suffering on a daily basis with serious respiratory problems.
“Our patients’ unmet health needs must be considered and included at a national level within the HSE strategy and framework.
“The introduction of a clinical care pathway specifically for our patients is critical during what has been an extremely difficult time for them and their families and would provide some reassurance that there is appropriate help, support and treatment available,” he said.
“We conducted extensive interviews with patients, their carers and healthcare professionals to produce this report and each one of these groups highlighted the introduction of a clinical care pathway to receive the same recognition as other chronic diseases as a key issue of importance to them.”