Results 2,341-2,360 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Use of Private Hospitals (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: I welcome the witnesses. Do they think the takeover of private hospitals was done in a hasty and poorly thought-out manner?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Use of Private Hospitals (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: Was the decision seriously damaging to public health?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Use of Private Hospitals (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: Was the decision correct to deny 2.2 million people their legal rights to gain access to what they paid for?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Use of Private Hospitals (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: Was there much inaccuracy in statements issued by the HSE on this issue?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Use of Private Hospitals (Resumed) (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: I welcome our guests. Two months ago, on 1 April, the HSE took over all of our private hospitals in a bid to be prepared for a surge of Covid patients, as had happened in Italy, Spain and other countries throughout the world. While it was very important to put these contingency plans in place, thankfully they were not needed. As a result of the two-month shutdown of normal services, the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Use of Private Hospitals (Resumed) (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: As I understand, private hospitals are lying idle while patients' appointments have been put on hold. In addition to that, patients were advised to stay at home which meant cancer patients missed treatments while oncologists' waiting lists grew longer. Several of my constituents told me that their appointments had been cancelled with no idea of when they are likely to be rescheduled. Now...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Use of Private Hospitals (Resumed) (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: That leads me to my next question. Although the intention is to return to a full healthcare system as quickly as possible, it is fair to say we had extensive waiting lists in all our hospitals, both public and private, before the Covid crisis. Considering all the extra precautions which will inevitably have to be taken to ensure social distancing, along with safety measures to ensure...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Travel Restrictions (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the NTA. I have questions that could go on for an hour but I only have five minutes. There may have to be correspondence at a later stage. I pay tribute to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the staff in the Tánaiste's office and the people who helped my staff and myself. These people were on the phone 24-7 following...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Travel Restrictions (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: To the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The HSE might also answer the question on same day testing.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Travel Restrictions (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: Yes, if it is possible to get that answer.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Travel Restrictions (2 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank Mr. Breslin. Time is running very tight. My next question is for the NTA. Private bus and coach operators are facing ruination and that will have major implications for us down the line. Are there any plans to get direct Government support or will there be a continuation of the wage subsidy scheme until the tourism transport sector returns to normal? Is it intended to provide...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: I welcome Mr. Daly and Mr. Taylor who are giving evidence today. It has been a very difficult time, especially for those who have lost loved ones in nursing homes. I pay tribute to the staff in nursing homes who have worked incredibly hard. I know of their hard work because I contacted many nursing homes in west Cork, such as Cramers Court in Belgooly, CareChoice Clonakilty, Bushmount...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: Is there a tracking system in place to identify nursing home staff who are working in more than one nursing home?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: Mr. Paul Reid stated that the mass testing of nursing home residents and staff at facilities is complete. Is there a plan to ensure the safety of residents in every residential nursing home?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: Do nursing homes plan to test and monitor the variables within those settings, such as the testing of staff on a weekly basis, at least? From what I can gather, it currently takes two weeks for residents to be tested and ten days for staff to be tested. Is Mr. Daly aware that Animal Health Laboratories in Bandon, west Cork, is turning around Covid-19 tests in a day? If he is not, will he...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: Is Nursing Homes Ireland aware of the laboratory in Bandon?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: That leads me on to my next question. I and many professionals believe doctors and nurses should be allowed to take swabs, which could result in being able to get next-day results. Is Nursing Homes Ireland working towards that?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: Has the HSE given any indication that it will allow that to happen?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: As already stated, everybody wants there to be quick results. It seems to me that it is taking between ten and 12 days to get tests completed. If it takes another three to five, six or seven days to get the results, it defeats the whole purpose. My point is that we need to look to local laboratories to carry out these tests. I urge Mr. Daly to consider using such laboratories.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Michael Collins: I welcome our guests. I have a number of questions, starting with HIQA. I understand that for new builds of nursing homes and community hospitals, 80% of resident accommodation must consist of single rooms and there must be no more than four residents per multi-occupancy bedroom. Is this correct?