Results 7,661-7,680 of 45,608 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Trusts (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The establishment of Hospital Groups represents a very significant reform of our hospital services. As I have stated previously, I intend to continue to implement Hospital Groups on an administrative basis. An Oireachtas All-Party Committee has been established to develop a single long-term vision for healthcare over a 10 year period. It is important that those discussions are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 489 together. The HSE National Service Plan 2016 commits to the planning and development of equitable access to antenatal anomaly screening in all maternity units in the context of emerging maternity networks. In addition, the National Maternity Strategy is clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Women & Infants Health Programme will lead the implementation of Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016-2026. The Programme will lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services, across primary, community and secondary care, strengthening such services by bringing together work...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Ambulance Service has undergone a programme of modernisation in recent years and a number of significant service innovations and developments have taken place. These developments will continue in 2017 with increased funding which will be available to the National Ambulance Service for 2017. With regard to the specific enquiry raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: In May, the HSE granted approval to the Hospital Groups to recruit an additional 100 midwives. The allocation of these midwives was informed by the findings of the Birth Rate Plus midwifery workforce project. In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Speech and Language Therapy Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The Government recognises that waiting lists for speech and language therapy have been very difficult for families. To address this, €4 million was provided under the HSE’s National Service Plan 2016 to specifically focus on speech and language therapy waiting lists in Primary Care and Social Care for children up to 18 years old. This investment represents a long-term...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long children are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff (18 Oct 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments (18 Oct 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware that a number of outpatient oncology appointments have had to be rescheduled at University Hospital Galway. The HSE has advised that this is due to a high volume of patients listed for attendance at the Oncology/Haemotology day ward. The patients involved have been provided with rescheduled dates and every effort is being made to see all patients in a timely fashion....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Ambulance Service has undergone a programme of modernisation in recent years and a number of significant service innovations and developments have taken place. These developments will continue in 2017 with increased funding which will be available to the National Ambulance Service for 2017. With regard to the specific enquiry raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Ambulance Service has undergone a programme of modernisation in recent years and a number of significant service innovations and developments have taken place. These developments will continue in 2017 with increased funding which will be available to the National Ambulance Service for 2017. With regard to the specific enquiry raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: UK Referendum on EU Membership (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department has built on initial work completed to undertake a full audit of the possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies arising over the longer term as a result of the UK's decision to leave the EU, including in the area of cross-border health co-operation. This work is being conducted by a sub-committee of the Management Board set up to examine the potential consequences...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift within the health service towards primary care in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. Occupational Therapy has, as one of its core values, the principle of enabling people to remain in their own homes and communities. I can advise the Deputy that the HSE National Therapy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: It is recognised that recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives is a significant issue at present. This is due to a range of factors including intense competition globally and from private providers for nurses due to a world wide shortage and the international standing of public nurses trained in Ireland, working conditions and lifestyle choices. I am committed to making terms and...