This article is from page 6 of the 2014-02-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
MONTHS of fundraising paid off yesterday as, what has been described as life changing equipment for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Clare and Limerick, was unveiled at the University Hospital, Limerick.
The fundraising drive by TLC4CF, which raised more than € 205,000, resulted in the € 160,000 Bronchoscope suite and an Exhalyzer D which cost € 44,000.
The Bronchoscope suite will be used to carry out internal examinations on the lungs and airways of children with Cystic Fibrosis.
Paediatric CF consultant Barry Linnane welcomed the launch of the new equipment and said, “The Bronchoscope suite allows us to visualise the internal structure of the lungs, and to obtain samples from the lower airways of children with CF. With this approach infection and inflam- mation can be detected even before the patient develops symptoms, facilitating early, targeted treatment.”
The installation of the new Exhalyzer D means the regional hospital is the first hospital in Ireland to acquire such specialised equipment. This piece of high-tech equipment has just been installed in the Paediatric CF Unit and provides a unique system of measuring and monitoring pulmonary function in children and adults.
Welcoming the launch of the new equipment, Ann Doherty CEO UL Hospitals stated that, “the added bonus of this equipment is that it allows us to attract more clinical trials and research to Limerick because it is a very sensitive and can measure clinical outcomes.
“New developments in technologies and research have the potential to improve the quality of life for people with CF and other inherited illnesses.”