[Greens-Media] NSW Upper House calls for $4m to close Cystic Fibrosis gap

[John Kaye]

NSW Upper House calls for $4m to close Cystic Fibrosis gap 
 
Media release: 31 May 2011
 
The Upper House of the NSW Parliament has joined with Cystic Fibrosis NSW's 'Short Straw' campaign to ask the O'Farrell government to provide an additional $4 million a year for quality clinical services for people with the genetic disorder, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye ('Alarm raised over dearth of specialists in NSW hospitals', SMH 31 May, p. 6, http://j.mp/smh110531H)
 
Dr Kaye said: "The good news is that advances in treatment mean that people with people with Cystic Fibrosis are living longer. 
 
"The bad news is that funding for clinical services has not kept pace with the number of survivors.
 
"Internal assessments by Department of Health clinicians show that the five Cystic Fibrosis clinics in NSW are  forced to operate at 78 staff members below the levels endorsed by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
 
"People with Cystic Fibrosis, their families and their carers live stressful lives. Therapy takes up a big part of their day. 
 
"Fundraising to support the clinics on which their survival depend is another burden they could all live without. It is time for the O'Farrell to share the load. 
 
"The shortfall is forcing clinical staff, people living with CF and their families to fundraise to keep the clinics running. 
 
"Life-supporting care should not depend on charity raffles or golf days.
 
"After her colleagues in the Upper House supported the Greens motion, Health Minister Jillian Skinner now has little choice but to make sure that services live up to the clinical standards endorsed by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Thoracic Society," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000