Cystic Fibrosis Service
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetically inherited disease that affects many organs in the body but mainly the lungs, digestive system, reproductive system, pancreas and liver. Symptoms and severity of illness differ from person to person. Age of diagnosis is usually at birth but some receive a late diagnosis from age 11 – 50 years.
With new treatments and research, people with cystic fibrosis are living longer healthier lives but face greater challenges as a result, e.g. lung transplantation or liver transplantation. Greater challenges bring greater psychological stressors and an increased need for psychological intervention and support.
Here in St Vincent’s cystic fibrosis service, psychological support is on-going as there is a constant need for adjustment due to illness and the disruption it brings to daily life and living.
The Cystic Fibrosis Psychology service provides:
- Psychological review as part of the annual review.
- Psychological support and interventions/ therapies in accordance with the needs of the patient.
- Outpatient and day care reviews – which affords contact with patients who attend from all areas Ireland. These help to identify patients who are struggling with psychological stressors.
- Monitoring progress
- Adherence to treatment
- Assessment for Lung Transplantation
Psychological support is provided on the following basis:
- Self-referral
- Inpatient
- Outpatient
- Day care service
How to access the service:
- Patients can phone directly on: 01 2214670
- By asking any member of the cystic fibrosis team including clinical nurse specialists
- All Staff on St Christopher’s inpatient ward can request on appointment on behalf of a patient