Results 15,101-15,120 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Services (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: There is no doubt that our public hospital system is seeing growing demand for care. Last year alone, there was a 2% increase in inpatient and day-case activity over 2015, as well as approximately 5% increase in Emergency Department (ED) attendances. Demand for services at Tallaght hospital is increasing year on year. The hospital experienced a 9% increase in ED presentations in 2016, with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I am aware that a number of patients were on an access scheme operated by the manufacturer CSL Behring. The HSE has advised my Department that the manufacturer has confirmed it will no longer fund the drug with effect from 30 September 2017 and that the access scheme is discontinued. I consider this action by the company as unethical and as I have stated previously, there should be no...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. I want to ensure that existing GP services are retained and that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly-qualified GPs. Efforts undertaken in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 Oct 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 National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (3 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE National Service Plan (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together. On foot of submissions received in 2014 and discussions with the HSE on scoliosis service requirements, the Department provided additional funding of €1.042m under the 2015 National Service Plan to increase capacity at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin. A further €0.987m was allocated under the 2016 Service Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 443 together. The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: The new four-year Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines, signed in July 2016, which is available at is an agreement between the State and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), and is expected to deliver approximately €600 million in savings over the lifetime of the Agreement from IPHA companies and €150 million in savings from non-IPHA...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (3 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: This year, the Health Service Executive established an Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Steering Group. The purpose of this project is to improve survival rates for those who suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest through the development and implementation of an out of hospital cardiac arrest strategy. This work will support the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and Community First Responder...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (3 Oct 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Data (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: As the issues raised refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (3 Oct 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: General Practitioner Contracts (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high-quality, integrated and cost effective health service. The Programme for 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. The development of a new, modernised contract for the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: Asthma is not covered on the Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme. The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: In relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Vaccination Programme (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: It is very good to be with the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Members in their new temporary Seanad Chamber. I thank Senator Tim Lombard for tabling this very important issue, which provides me with an opportunity to update the Seanad on what is a very important public health matter. As Senator Lombard will be aware, immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost effective of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Vaccination Programme (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Harris: That is correct. It is also important to inform the House that we are considering extending the vaccine to boys. Recently, I asked HIQA to carry out a health technology assessment on the benefits for boys of this vaccination, which is due to be completed in 2018. The Government will act accordingly regarding that. There is an onus on all of us to debunk the myths, publicise the medical...