Results 25,501-25,520 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: In relation to the number of elective surgeries cancelled at Galway University Hospital and at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019 and the reason for the cancellations, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Brexit Issues (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 456 together. As part of the overall Government response to Brexit, my Department is working on a comprehensive and coordinated set of actions to ensure, as far as is possible, continuity of supply of medicines in the event of a "no-deal" Brexit. Significant work has been undertaken by my Department, the HSE, and the Health Products Regulatory...

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

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects and has advised that a planning application for this project was submitted in December 2018. The HSE is currently awaiting the outcome of the planning application.

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (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: HSE Staff Data (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: My Department is engaging closely with the HSE on this matter and it is hoped that the final pay and numbers strategy will be submitted by the HSE in the near future.

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

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

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

Simon Harris: BreastCheck provides free mammograms to eligible women across the country. While BreastCheck has four fixed locations, much of the service is provided through mobile units that move from one location to another on an on-going basis, returning to a region every two years. The date on which screening will end at a particular location is updated regularly on the BreastCheck website and...

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

Simon Harris: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the cost of a smear retest following the issue that has arisen in relation to secondary HPV testing. Where low grade changes are detected on a cervical smear test, a second, so-called ‘triage test’ – which looks for the HPV virus – is carried out by laboratories. If HPV is found, women are recommended to attend for...

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

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway and the relevant priority of each project. The requirements of the new children's hospital and other health capital...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to engaging with GP representatives on the development of modernised GP contractual arrangements. Talks between the State and the Irish Medical Organisation resumed in October 2018 and there was intensive engagement, particularly in the weeks leading up to Christmas. While some progress was made, there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be progressed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Drugs Availability (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement 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: Abortion Services Provision (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law by the President on 20 December 2018, and services for termination of pregnancy commenced on 1 January 2019. I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers; however, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to comment on any individual case. I am advised that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cancer Strategy (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the second National Cancer Strategy, in 2007 the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme initiated a programme of centralisation of cancer services to a smaller number of high-volume, specialist centres with the aim of optimising treatment and improving survival outcomes. In relation to surgery, centralisation of cancer services is based on clear evidence that patients who...

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

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway and the relevant priority of each project. The requirements of the new children's hospital and other health...

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

Simon Harris: In May 2018 I signed regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. I can confirm that I recently selected twelve of the board members. There is one outstanding vacancy, which under the Act is filled by a candidate nominated by the Minister for Education and Skills. I anticipate that the candidate’s...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Treatment Abroad Scheme (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for patients entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State under EU Regulation 883/2004, where the treatment is not available in the Irish public hospital system. The treatment must be one which is among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation. GPs refer patients to consultants for acute care and it is the treating...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Administration (5 Feb 2019)

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

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

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