Results 20,501-20,520 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (13 Jun 2018)

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: Primary Care Centres Provision (13 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (13 Jun 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (13 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the statutory body responsible for standards, education and training in the area of pre-hospital emergency care. In 2014, PHECC developed the First Aid Response (FAR) education and training standard, building on its foundational Cardiac First Response course. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is responsible for the enforcement of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Records (13 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I am fully supportive of individuals being able to access their own personal medical records routinely and administratively (that is on a non-statutory basis) from data controllers in health services except where there are exceptional circumstances justifying a restriction of access Such access should be provided in a timely manner and without any cost to the individual. Alternatively,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Management (13 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: Hepatitis C virus is a major cause of liver disease worldwide with an estimated 80 million people chronically infected. To tackle this issue, the World Health Assembly adopted the first ‘Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, 2016-2021’ in 2016. This strategy highlights the critical role of universal health coverage. The strategy’s vision is to eliminate viral...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (13 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 145 together. As these PQs relate to service matters concerning the HSE Hepatitis C Programme, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Management (13 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: On foot of a 2014 report by an expert National Group, entitled Public Health Plan for the Pharmaceutical Treatment of Hepatitis C, the Government decided that the HSE should establish a National Treatment Programme. This involved a multi-annual plan for the pharmaceutical treatment of Hepatitis C, based on clinical prioritisation. Patients with the highest risk were prioritised and a phased...

Independent Clinical Review of Maternity Services at Portiuncula University Hospital: Statements (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the Portiuncula University Hospital Health Service Executive, HSE, review of the maternity services and of a known number of adverse events between 2008 and November 2014, also known as the Walker report. I would like to begin by expressing my deepest sympathies to the families involved and welcome the completion of this review for them. I...

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Screening Programmes (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I accept Deputy Kelly's invitation to visit CervicalCheck in Limerick. We are entering a frantic number of weeks with regard to legislation, but at the earliest possible opportunity I will visit there. It would be extremely beneficial. I also want to thank the people who have been working on the front line. I believe they have been working extraordinary hours in recent weeks and months to...

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Screening Programmes (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I will indeed go to Limerick and talk to the CervicalCheck team, and I will thank them for the work they are doing. I just read in the news headlines as I came down the good news that Vicky Phelan received today, which I welcome and I am sure Deputy Kelly does also.

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Screening Programmes (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: It is appropriate that Deputy Kelly and I acknowledge this, along with everyone in the House, because we would not be here if it were not for the work she did. Deputy Kelly's concerned about time creep is genuine, and it is a good way of putting the idea that this could slip on and on. We need to get the answer. The idea of the scoping inquiry is to get the answer. I am very satisfied...

Topical Issue Debate: Rare Diseases (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Dooley for raising this important matter. I begin by saying he is entirely right when he says people on the ground get it and we need to do better. It is a fair summary. I have been familiarising myself with the condition in recent months and as the Deputy correctly states, I have heard from a number of families doing the very best for their children. I would be happy to...

Topical Issue Debate: Rare Diseases (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I assure Deputy Dooley that my answer was not meant in any way to suggest that everything is absolutely appropriate and adequate in this regard. We need to do better, which is the reason I very much welcome the new clinical programme being worked on, of which EDS is a part. I believe the programme will be welcomed by patients with EDS and their families. However, the Deputy is entirely...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services Provision (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The terms of the Mulvey agreement provide for the establishment of a new company which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I can assure the Deputy that care in the new maternity hospital will be delivered without religious, ethnic or other distinction and any medical procedure...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (14 Jun 2018)

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: Hospital Services (14 Jun 2018)

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: Freedom of Information Data (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table. The detail supplied in the table is in respect of the Freedom of Information requests which have been completed. The figure provided in relation to costs applied is a total estimate of costs in relation to the processing of a number of Freedom of Information requests. Deposits of 20% were requested in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 150 together. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government. The recently launched Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018. The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery and includes a commitment that the NTPF will provide 5,000 cataract...