Results 29,241-29,260 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme Inquiry (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: In the Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry, which was published on 11 June, Dr. Scally confirmed that the number of laboratories involved in CervicalCheck work was greater than was originally thought, 16 in total, and the use of many of these laboratories was not approved in advance by CervicalCheck, nor was it known to it. The report also finds that, on the basis of the information...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The vast majority of services in the new children’s hospital will be public services. However, as part of the National Contract for Consultants negotiated in 2008, some consultants holding specific contracts are entitled to engage in private outpatient practice outside of their public commitment and this commitment must be conducted on site, that is, in the hospital they are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme Inquiry (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware from previous responses on this issue, the HSE has advised that analysis was required in order to make the requested data available.  The requirement for analysis reflected the complexities involved in this work. For example, some women may have had multiple smears, not necessarily read in the same lab; slides may have changed by one grade or multiple grades...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (2 Jul 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, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has provided my Department with data on the number of patients resident in Cavan and Monaghan who...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service (2 Jul 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I can assure the Deputy that the vast majority of services in the new children’s hospital and the new maternity hospital will be public services.  However, as part of the National Consultants' Contract, negotiated in 2008, some consultants holding specific contracts are entitled to engage in private outpatient practice outside of their public commitment; this commitment must be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (2 Jul 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: Hospital Waiting Lists (2 Jul 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, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures. The joint Department of Health/HSE/National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March and sets out...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmaceutical Sector (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: In accordance with the provisions of Part 5 and Part 6 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, the Government is committed to developing a statutory basis for payments to primary care contractors, to replace FEMPI legislation, which expires at the end of this year. This new statutory basis will enable the determination of payments to contractors based on a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (2 Jul 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 Services (2 Jul 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (2 Jul 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, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures. The joint Department of Health/HSE/National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March and sets out...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (2 Jul 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: Hospital Services (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. Last year saw considerable improvement in the number of patients waiting for procedures. As a result of increased activity and the ongoing collaboration between the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), the number of patients waiting for an Inpatient or Day case procedure...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The Walker Report, which was the report of an external review into maternity services in Portiuncula University Hospital, was published on 3 May 2018.  The report made 35 key recommendations under five themes: Environment, Training, Clinical Care, Staffing, and Communication issues.  The HSE established an Implementation Group to progress these recommendations and I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I am committed to tackling the key challenges our health service faces in relation to long waiting times and hospital overcrowding. Improving timely access for patients to scheduled and unscheduled care is at the heart of Sláintecare. The Sláintecare Action Plan 2019 which was published by my Department, includes a specific workstream on Access and Waiting Lists....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (2 Jul 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, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.  The joint Department of Health/HSE/National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March and sets out...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I am informed that the Irish delegation to the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly was led by the Irish Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations at Geneva. The delegation included officials from the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Securing affordable and sustainable access to new and innovative medicines...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Screening Programmes (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: Diabetic RetinaScreen, the National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme is a government funded screening programme in Ireland that offers free, regular diabetic retinopathy screening to people with diabetes aged 12 years and older. Diabetic RetinaScreen uses specialised digital photography to look for changes that could affect sight. Results are delivered in compliance with quality...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: My colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs published the recommendations of the First Report of the Collaborative Forum of Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes on 16 April, 2019. The Report contains 43 recommendations in total, including 21 health and well-being recommendations relating to healthcare provision and health assessment and screening. My Department has...