CHILDREN in Worcestershire living with cystic fibrosis no longer have to travel to Birmingham for treatment following a new arrangement with the organisation running Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

A new team of specialists is being set up to offer inpatient clinics at the Royal and Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital as well as Birmingham Children’s Hospital

This will mean babies and young people aged up to 18 no longer face long regular journeys for treatment.

Consultant paediatrician at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – the organisation running the Royal and the Alex as well as Kidderminster Hospital – Clare Onyon said she was pleased by the announcement.

“We are excited to be expanding the Worcestershire paediatric cystic fibrosis team to include a specialist cystic fibrosis nurse, physiotherapist and dietician,” she said.

“This enables us to offer children, young people and their families outpatient and inpatient care that meets the Cystic Fibrosis Trust standards of care closer to home, whilst maintaining shared care with Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick, sticky mucus. Symptoms usually start in early childhood and include persistent cough, frequent chest and lung infections and poor weight gain.

The new clinics are expected to be officially launched next spring.