Results 11,661-11,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: University Hospital Galway is one of eight designated cancer centres in Ireland. Key performance indicators have been developed for referrals to cancer centres for breast, lung and prostate cancer with a view to ensuring consistent procedures and quality services for patients. For breast cancer, the target is that 95% of patients who are deemed to be urgent cases will be offered an...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There were many detailed questions about an individual hospital. I am afraid I do not have all that information to hand. As the Deputy mentioned, I had a ten-day limit for answering parliamentary questions in my previous Department and that will be introduced in my new Department, although the timeframe will probably be 14 days, not ten. However, if parliamentary questions are not answered...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is a guideline of the special delivery unit that people should be given appropriate outpatient appointment times. Sometimes everyone is told to turn up at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., and that is not acceptable. I invited all the hospital managers to meet me approximately two weeks ago and one of the issues I specifically raised with them was that hospitals should give people realistic appointment...

Topical Issue Debate: Maternity Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue and allowing me to address the House on the matter. I offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Michael Kivlehan, his son, Dior, and their families on the sad and tragic loss of Dhara Kivlehan. I understand the HSE has offered sincere condolences and apologised to both families for the shortcomings in the management and care of Mrs. Kivlehan...

Topical Issue Debate: Maternity Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I do not want to get into the Philomena Canning case. It may well be that Deputy Clare Daly does not know all of the facts either. When the HSE withdraws cover from somebody, it tends to do so for a reason, not at the whim of an official. Without knowing the reason for the withdrawal, we should confine our comments on the matter. I am probably closer to the Deputy on this issue than she...

Topical Issue Debate: Maternity Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: On the matters raised by Deputy Billy Kelleher, I inform him of changes that have been made since 2010 when the case occurred. The national early warning score has been introduced to detect deteriorating cases; in the hospital in Sligo there is now a new structured hand-over meeting between medical staff when they move from one shift to another and there is an enhanced and updated admission...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Diabetes Strategy (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: National policy for paediatric/adolescent diabetes care was informed by the Diabetes Expert Advisory Group. It recommended that continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or pump therapy should be the primary treatment option in children, especially those aged less than five years of age. It also recommended the regionalisation of care. The centres envisaged for care were in the major...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Prices (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) monitor the factors that contribute to costs on an ongoing basis. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by issues such as the number of persons and the age profile of those holding private health insurance and new treatment interventions which can have an impact on the cost of care and the cost of claims. I am determined...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Treatment Abroad Scheme (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Treatment Abroad Scheme, operated by the Health Service Executive, provides for the referral of patients to another EU/EEA country or Switzerland for a treatment that is not available in Ireland or where undue delay is experienced in accessing necessary treatment in Ireland. Under the Scheme, the HSE provides for the cost of approved treatments abroad through the issue of form E112. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointment Delays (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: At the end of December 2013, 98% or 295,815 patients were waiting less than 52 weeks for an outpatient appointment. This was achieved by year-long intervention with a special funded focus from September to December which included outsourcing of patients determined to be suitable for such assessment. Currently 89% are waiting less than one year for access to outpatients. There has been a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As indicated in previous replies, I fully support the proposed extension of the Breastcheck screening programme to the 65-69 year age cohort. The timing of the implementation of this priority extension of the service will depend on the availability of resources and will be kept under review in this context.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Regulation (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There is a need for much greater cost control in the private health insurance industry so that premiums are affordable for as many people as possible. My Department and the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) monitor the factors that contribute to costs on an ongoing basis. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by issues such as the number of persons and the age profile of those...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Budgets (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In Vote terms the Health Service Executive Vote 39 is showing a net current deficit of €260m against profile at the end of September. However, receipts from the UK which were profiled for November were actually received in September; when this is excluded, a net current deficit of €432m emerges. In income and expenditure terms the HSE is reporting a year to date net...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the publication of the Guidance Document for the Implementation of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act and it is my understanding that this document is in full compliance with the Act. In addition, the Guidance Document identifies referral pathways to fulfil the requirements of the Act, and other relevant matters, and this information should assist health professionals in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the statutory body responsible for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. The new hospital will be co-located with St James's Hospital, and ultimately tri-located with a maternity hospital to be developed on campus. In addition to the main hospital, the project includes two satellite centres at the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In the Health Sector which provides 24/7 care 365 days of the year, flexibility is required that allows the use of overtime and agency staff to meet agreed and approved service levels. Recourse to overtime or agency is necessary for a variety of reasons including, for example, over-runs in operating theatres, sudden increases in service demand, to cover for sick leave, annual leave and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As indicated in previous replies, I fully support the proposed extension of the Breastcheck screening programme to the 65-69 year age cohort. The timing of the implementation of this extension of the service will depend on the availability of resources and is being considered in the context of the Estimates process for 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Beaumont Hospital continuously monitors staffing levels in the Emergency Department (ED) to meet service demands. In times of severe pressure, additional staff are allocated to the department. The challenges in the ED reflect both increased demand for emergency care and a slowing down of patient flow within the hospital. A number of factors have impacted on the hospitals ability to maintain...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: To date, there have been significant challenges in filling medical posts including Consultant posts at Letterkenny General Hospital. At present there are 7.5 WTE posts currently being filled by Agency Consultant Staff. Two of these posts commenced in August 2014. The cost of the remaining 5.5 WTE agency paid Consultants to Letterkenny General Hospital as at 31st July 2014 is €933k...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Correspondence (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has received a query from the Ombudsman and is currently investigating the matters raised. A reply to the Ombudsman will issue shortly.