Results 25,461-25,480 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: In August 2018, I published the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy which provides the framework within which a system-wide health reform programme will be advanced. The Strategy contains specific commitments in relation to improving governance and accountability across the health service. The task of identifying the optimal set of health structures including national and regional...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Proposed Legislation (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: The General Scheme of a Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill is being finalised at present and will be submitted to Government shortly. The General Scheme will include provisions for a soft opt-out system of consent for deceased organ donation.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Recruitment (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Health, the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives has been a consistent priority for me. Challenges exist around recruitment and retention of these professions, against a backdrop of a shortage at a global level. However, despite these challenges, the data shows that the HSE has managed to increase the number of nurses and midwives employed. A total of 867 WTEs,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Staff (5 Feb 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and €75 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in Budget 2019 to provide treatment for patients. I hope to publish the joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 for inpatient, day case and outpatients shortly. The plan will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 112 together. As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Tobacco consumption is the largest avoidable health threat in Ireland; one in two smokers will die from a tobacco related disease. The policy document "Tobacco Free Ireland" sets out over 60 recommendations, with the overall aims of denormalising smoking in our society, protecting children from the harms of tobacco, enforcing, regulating and legislating for tobacco activities and products,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Remuneration (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: A new entrant nurse or midwife in their first year earn an effective annual salary of €30,669. In addition to this basic salary, the HSE estimates that on average nurses and midwives earn an additional 20% of their basic salary in allowances and premium payments, which would increase the average gross salary for a new entrant nurse to €36,802. This compares favourably with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Administration (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Established under the National Paediatric Hospital Development (Establishment) Order 2007, the NPHDB is charged with planning, designing, building and equipping the new children’s hospital and outpatient and urgent care centres. As the Deputy is aware, on 2nd February last, the Chair of the Board tendered his resignation which I have accepted. An independent review of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Deaths (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I am aware of a tragic event that occurred on 25 December last. I am unable to comment on individual cases. However, my thoughts and sympathies go out to the family at this very sad time. The HSE will update my Department as information becomes available. The HSE have also provided assurances to my Department that procedures for a full review are currently being put in place.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In this regard, I am committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures. I hope to publish the joint Department of Health, Health Service Executive (HSE) and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Following the Government decision on 8 May 2018, an Independent Clinical Expert Panel Review is being carried out by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) with expertise also sourced through the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. The protocol for the Review has been published on the website of the Department of Health. Where the expert panel...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Building Programme (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In this regard, I am committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures. I hope to publish the joint Department of Health, Health Service Executive (HSE) and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and €75 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in Budget 2019 to provide treatment for patients. I hope to publish the joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 for inpatient, day case and outpatients shortly. The plan will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Building Programme (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Project Ireland 2040 includes significant new healthcare programmes, including projects in relation to additional capacity and the development of three elective only facilities. These projects reflect the next stage of health sector development, and many require significant policy scoping and planning assessment to be carried out. It is not possible at this stage to give a timeline for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Patient Advisory Committee (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: The Cancer Patient Advisory Committee comprises 15 members, chaired by a representative of my Department. A list of the Members of the Committee, which has been published previously, is attached. A Call for Expressions of Interest for membership of the Committee was published in September 2018 and there was a very good response. Primarily individuals with direct experience of cancer...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (5 Feb 2019)

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: Dental Services Waiting Lists (5 Feb 2019)

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