Results 2,401-2,420 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Seanad: Private Health Care Insurance. (29 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: I am responding to this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. Private voluntary health insurance is an integral part of the Irish health care system, a service of which more than half the population avails. It has, for almost 50 years, played a major role in the financing of our health services and in offering choice to the public. There is...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (29 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: I thank Senator Ulick Burke for raising this issue this evening. I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I welcome this opportunity to inform the Seanad of the position with regard to the development of neurosurgical services. The Health Service Executive, HSE, recently published a review of neurosurgical services in Ireland which was...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (29 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: I mentioned in my response that several people would be disappointed with this decision and obviously the Senator is one of them. It is unfair to say the committee's report is biased. The committee was given a job to do and I have explained the reasons for its decision. I will do as the Senator suggests and report back to my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (30 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (30 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: The Health Service Executive recently published Review of Deaths at Leas Cross Nursing Home 2002-2005 that was commissioned by the HSE and written by Professor Des O'Neill. Separately, the HSE's complaints review group for Dublin north-east has written a report for HSE management on foot of complaints received from concerned families of patients at Leas Cross since May 2005. That report has...

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: On the one hand we had the Leas Cross report written by Professor Des O'Neill and separately the HSE complaints review group for Dublin north-east has written a report for HSE management on foot of complaints received from concerned families of patients at Leas Cross since May 2005. That report has not been published because it relates to the individual complaints that were received by the...

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: I am aware that Dr. Dermot Power was commissioned by the HSE to compile a report. I understand that this report relates to——

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: There are a number of reports involved, the main one of which relates to Leas Cross. The HSE sought that the review group for Dublin north east compile a report and it relates specifically to individual complaints received and, for that reason, it has not been published. Dr. Dermot Power's report has not come into my possession. I am aware that he was asked to compile a report by the HSE....

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: To the best of my knowledge, the Power report is specific to Leas Cross. From what the Deputy stated, one would think that we were trying to cover up something.

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: The main report that was commissioned was that which relates to Leas Cross. On the previous occasion on which this matter was dealt with on Question Time, the general view put forward by the Opposition was that we were trying to keep a lid on that report and that we did not want it to be published.

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: We did not. I have just explained the reasons for the delay in publishing the report. We were satisfied to have the report published. The Minister for Health and Children indicated that we had made every effort to encourage the HSE to publish the report. It was the HSE that commissioned the report. It is important that lessons are learned from this matter.

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy should allow me to answer the question he asked. Reports have been compiled in respect of this matter. The Leas Cross report was published. Even before the latter emerged, a number of measures were taken in respect of how the inspection process works and we are putting in place a proper training system in respect of the inspection teams. For the first time ever, we are...

Nursing Homes. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: The idea of publishing the report in this instance was to identify where the weaknesses lay and to ensure that we learned lessons and put in place a much stronger system, with improved structures, that will guarantee proper care for older people.

Hospital Charges. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: Will we allow Deputy McManus to go to the Seanad?

Care of the Elderly. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: The Government's commitment to the development of a comprehensive range of services for older people has been demonstrated by the significantly increased resources made available in recent years. The Mater hospital has 39 beds in a geriatric acute facility and four day beds specifically for older persons. The hospital has three geriatricians and appropriate staff support, including...

Care of the Elderly. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: Since 1997 the Government has shown a great commitment to improving services for older people. Last year's budget saw additional significant investment in the services. There are 39 beds in the geriatric acute facility and four day beds, specifically for older people. The hospital has three geriatricians, 47 physiotherapists, 12 occupational therapists and 19 social workers. These...

Nursing Home Inspections. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: The Health Service Executive is continuing to strengthen the nursing home inspection process. Guidelines have been issued to nursing homes inspection teams nationally and the structure of inspection teams is being strengthened. In particular, the Health Service Executive is in the process of developing dedicated nursing home inspection teams which are already in place in some areas. All...

Nursing Home Inspections. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: There is nothing like being consistent. Last time the Deputy said we would not publish the Leas Cross report.

Nursing Home Inspections. (5 Dec 2006)

Seán Power: Since we proved the Deputy wrong, this side of the House will not be too upset about his recent comments.