Results 13,801-13,820 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Building Programme (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The Government is fully committed to the development of a new maternity hospital on the St Vincent’s University Hospital campus at Elm Park. The buildings at Holles St. are no longer fit for purpose and therefore the new National Maternity Hospital must be moved forward to provide the necessary infrastructure to enable the delivery of a modern, safe, quality maternity service for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Electronic Cigarettes (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The current position on e-cigarettes in Ireland is based on advice from the Health Information and Quality Authority (‘HIQA’) in its 2017 Health Technology Assessment of Smoking Cessation Products and Services. In relation to the safety of e-cigarettes the HIQA assessment concluded that this remains an evolving area of research; while potentially safer than smoking, evidence on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Agency Staff Expenditure (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE National Escalation Framework, issued to the system in late 2015, consists of a tiered and incremental suite of actions to be adapted and implemented in hospitals with an ED during times when such hospitals are challenged in matching capacity and demand for acute inpatient care. The full capacity protocol is the last escalation step in the HSE National Escalation Framework In...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Waiting Times (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The hospital system is currently operating at close to full capacity. The number of patients attending Emergency Departments continues to increase year on year. For the first ten months of 2019, the number of patients over the age of 75 attending hospital EDs increased by 3.3% compared to the same period last year. This reflects increasing demand for unscheduled care, especially by patients...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Data (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Relations Contracts Data (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The amount spent on external public relations companies to date in 2019 by the Department of Health is as follows: Company Service Cost Q4PR Communications support and strategic advice for Sláintecare 3,078.08 As amount spent by the HSE is a service matter this has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Community Pharmacy Services (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of health service reform and modernisation. Community pharmacy is recognised as the most accessible element of our health service with an unequalled reach in terms of patient contact and access. Regulations governing the current...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 236 and 237 together. The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Recruitment (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Data (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The safety of patients, visitors and staff at the new children’s hospital is of paramount importance to everyone working on the new children’s hospital project. Stanley Security Systems, who have been working in this area for more than 25 years, were successful in the competitive procurement process for the installation of the security systems at the new children’s...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The safety of patients, visitors and staff at the new children’s hospital is of paramount importance to everyone working on the new children’s hospital project. Stanley Security Systems, who have been working in this area for more than 25 years, were successful in the competitive procurement process for the installation of the security systems at the new children’s...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Discharges (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: Delayed transfers of care (previously referred to as delayed discharges) occur when patients have been deemed clinically fit for discharge from an acute bed but their discharge is delayed because they are waiting for some form of ongoing support or care following their discharge. There are many reasons for this, such as a patient undertaking the application process for NHSS, awaiting...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Car Parks (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I have made it clear I want to see progress made in this area and I am working with my Department and the HSE in this regard. As such, I requested the HSE to conduct a review of hospital car parking charges with a view to establishing clear national guidelines in the area. My Department and the HSE are currently engaging on a draft implementation plan to accompany the review report.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reports (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE is undertaking a 'proof of concept' project' in advance of the roll-out of the full Model of Care for the Treatment of Lymphoedema and Lipoedema. As such, I have referred your question to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services Provision (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: It is my absolute intention that people can access termination of pregnancy services safely. I wish to assure women and healthcare staff that there is existing legislation in place to protect them and to protect patients. My Department and An Garda Síochána have been closely monitoring the situation since termination of pregnancy services commenced in January this year. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I am committed to expanding access to contraception and moving toward the provision of a free contraception service. At this time, no decision has been taken on the parameters of any scheme. A number of regulatory, legal and policy issues must still be addressed, while further consultation with potential providers would also be required. It remains my intention to work toward the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (11 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.