Results 14,961-14,980 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Waiting Lists (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that ophthalmology waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018. In order to reduce the numbers...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (28 Sep 2017)

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 Staff (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: The recruitment and retention of hospital staff is a priority for the HSE, my Department, and for me. As set out in its Statement of Strategy 2016-2019,my Department has committed to developing a national strategic framework for health workforce planning, in collaboration with Government Departments and agencies. During 2016, my Department convened a Cross-sectoral Steering Group to develop...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Waiting Lists (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018. In order to reduce the numbers of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Response Times (28 Sep 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (28 Sep 2017)

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: Health Service Capacity Review (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together. Work on the Health Service Capacity Review is ongoing. The review is examining key elements of primary and community care capacity in addition to hospital capacity. As part of the review process, the Department has commissioned independent external consultants to provide technical, analytical and engagement expertise. A Steering Group...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Waiting Lists (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Staff (28 Sep 2017)

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: Hospitals Funding (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: Further investment to enhance cardiology services at Waterford and to provide an additional 8 hours cath lab activity per week to address waiting times was recommended by the Herity Report. This was identified as a priority in the HSE National Service Plan for 2017 and €500,000 was allocated. In June, the HSE issued a tender for a mobile cath lab, which arrived on site on 25...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long, including for gynaecology services at Cork University Maternity Hospital, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013, when a person attains the age of 70, the medical card income limits are €500 gross income per week for a single person and €900 gross income per week for a couple. Any revision of these medical card income thresholds requires primary legislation. Persons aged 70 or older, who are assessed as...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists (28 Sep 2017)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE and the Children’s Hospital Group are actively implementing the action plan they developed to ensure that no child will be waiting over 4 months by year end and are focussed on maximising all available capacity both internally and externally to achieve this target.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 154, inclusive, together. The HSE is actively implementing the action plan they developed to ensure that no child will be waiting over 4 months by year end and are focussed on maximising all available capacity both internally and externally to achieve this target. In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: General practitioners contracted under the General Medical Services scheme must make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for emergencies outside normal practice hours. While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out of hours cooperatives as a means of meeting this contractual requirement, such services have been developed and expanded...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Admissions (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: The Ireland East Hospital Group has confirmed that GP referral letters became a part of the St Columcille's Hospital Operational Policy for the Medical Assessment Unit, in November 2016. The protocol is in line with the operation of a Medical Assessment Unit in a Level 2 Hospital as outlined in the Acute Medicine Clinical Care Programme. The Medical Assessment Unit at St...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme Review (28 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: The IBTS has been running a Haemochromatosis clinic in the Stillorgan Blood Donation Clinic since 2007 and sees approximately 600 patients annually. In this clinic the IBTS only accepts Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) patients who are eligible to donate blood. In 2013 and 2014, the IBTS commenced provision of a programme for HH patients in their D’Olier Street (Dublin) and St...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Recruitment (28 Sep 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (28 Sep 2017)

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 scheduling...