Results 15,561-15,580 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group was formed from nominations from interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives. The aim of the Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive recently published its Capital Plan for 2019-2021 outlining projects to be progressed over the three-year period, including a new ambulance base in Sligo. The HSE is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects and has advised that this project is currently at the site selection/option appraisal stage, as a previously identified...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The 221 Patient Group Laboratory Audit Results Profile report provides information as to which laboratories carried out cervical screening tests for the women in the 221 patient group. The HSE has advised that the information in the report represents a very small subset of overall data for CervicalCheck, which has completed in excess of 3 million screening tests since 2008. As such, while...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Voluntary Hospital Sector (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As previously outlined to the House, the current service level agreement process provides a forum for hospices to discuss any issues or difficulties with the Chief Officer of the relevant Community Healthcare Organisation. Within this context, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the further issues raised regarding the North West Hospice.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Voluntary Hospital Sector (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is in relation to a working group established by the Health Service Executive, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including those affecting rural areas, and has implemented a range of measures in recent years to improve recruitment and retention in general practice. These include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Audiology Services Data (10 Oct 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Data (10 Oct 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff (10 Oct 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (10 Oct 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: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Data (10 Oct 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Recruitment (10 Oct 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together. As announced in Budget 2020, medical card gross income limits for those over 70 will be increased to €550 per week for a single person aged over 70 (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 for a couple aged over 70 (currently €900 per week). These increases to the gross medical card income limits for persons...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: It would always be the Government's intention that people's ability to qualify for a medical card would not be adversely affected by any increases in social welfare payments. The HSE continuously monitors the medical card scheme and would advise the Department if it considers that changes in the rates of social welfare payments may affect people's ability to qualify for a medical card. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The supply of Osteofos D3 1200mg/800IU Powder for Oral Suspension resumed on the 8th October 2019. The product is now available to pharmacies to order from wholesalers. The product was out of stock from August due to delays at the manufacturing site. Authorised alternatives in the same therapeutic class were available during the period of the shortage. Unfortunately, medicine shortages are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Budgets (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Budget 2020 sets out a budget of over €18.3 billion for health and social care services, the highest budget ever allocated. The Health budget increased by €1.2 billion on 2019, a substantial additional level of funding. The amount allocated follows an extensive process of engagement between my Department and the Department of Expenditure and Reform, which considered both the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures is a key commitment of government. Waiting list figures for the end of September, due to be published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) later this week, show that there are almost 68,000 people on the Inpatient Daycase (IPDC) Waiting List. This is a reduction of 7% (4,733) compared to September 2018. Of those...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Data (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) within the HSE operates the General Medical Services scheme which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. The following table indicates the number of medical cards as at 1st January for the past five years: Date Number of Medical Cards 1st January 2019 1,565,049 1st January 2018 1,609,820 1st...