New cystic fibrosis report reveals impact of staffing issues

Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s UK Cystic Fibrosis Service Resourcing (2022 to 2024) report has found that, in October 2024, the vacancy rate in CF centres was higher than the NHS vacancy rate overall at 12.2% versus 7.2%. Over 40% of uncovered vacancies in participating CF services remained unfilled for six months or longer.

While some variation is due to different models of care, two paediatric and one adult centre did not have CF psychology input, 16 paediatric and 14 adult centres lacked a CF social worker, and five paediatric and two adult centres did not include a CF pharmacist.

CF increasingly needs to be treated as a multi-system condition. As many people experience improvements in lung function from modulator therapies, their concerns are shifting onto other aspects of their physical and mental health and wellbeing. 

More recently, cost of living pressures could result in increased demand for financial and benefits advice, as well as mental health and crisis support. On average, CF households incur an extra £6800 per year in costs made up of extra spending to keep well and loss of income. In 2024, Cystic Fibrosis Trust had the largest number of applications to the charity’s Winter Support Fund, with 530 people requesting the £225 grant, an increase of over 200 from the previous year.

With 43% of people with CF worried about their future every single day, and people with CF rating happiness levels below the national average, quick access to psychological support is critical. 

More than half of the participating CF services said they are not satisfied with their staffing levels year-on-year. A respondent from a paediatric service noted; “we don't have a social worker but would really benefit from one as the nursing time is frequently spent on social issues.” Another noted “we have faced huge challenges in retaining and recruiting psychologists to the CF psychology posts, partly due to under resourcing.” 

Find out how Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s Quality Improvement team is working to improve quality of care in CF centres across the UK here

For information or support with cystic fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s Helpline is available on 0300 373 1000, on email at [email protected] or on WhatsApp 07361 582053