Results 16,001-16,020 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The increase in the number of outpatients waiting for longer than 18 months at Tallaght is largely due to capacity pressures in certain specialties relating mainly to medical manpower pressures as a result of consultant retirements, maternity and sick leave and the inability to recruit locums into those positions. However, it should be noted that, overall, the 18-month target is being...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have an update on the new phase of development of the endoscopy unit at Naas, but suffice it to say that the unit is included in the capital plan and we are keen to get it started and have works under way sooner rather than later.

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter on which I will follow up. The Deputy has a particular interest in it and has raised it with me many times. Regarding the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, nine additional staff have been provided to accelerate the application process and a new call centre has been established, allowing staff to concentrate on processing the applications instead of having to take...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: In January, I put in place maximum permissible waiting times for inpatient and day case treatment and outpatient appointments of 18 months by the end of June and 15 months by the year's end. I refer to routine appointments, not urgent or emergency appointments. It was always made clear that, for some specialities, this would not be possible due to a lack of capacity in both the public and...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: No targets have been abandoned.

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Every month, the authorities report waiting times based on three-month intervals, making reference to those waiting for fewer than three months, those waiting for between three and six months, those waiting between six and nine months, and those waiting for between nine and 12 months or more. All the figures are very transparent for anybody who wants to see them. We have been very clear...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that University Hospital Waterford has experienced staffing and recruitment difficulties in the Dermatology Department. However, I can assure the Deputy that the HSE and the South/South West Hospital Group is committed to restoring the dermatology service as soon as possible to full operation. There are three approved consultant dermatologist posts in University Hospital...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of and have been monitoring the situation in relation to the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. The HPV vaccine protects women from developing cervical cancer. The vaccine is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in 1st year of secondary school. This is in accordance with the recommendation received from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. In Ireland,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Data (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I have been advised by the HSE that 27 patients from west and north Clare are currently receiving dialysis under the care of University Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Galway. Of these patients, 21 are receiving their treatment in Limerick, and the majority are aged between 35 and 50 years. The remaining 6 patients are receiving dialysis care in Galway, and they are between 30 and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointment Delays (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: In January, taking into account current pressures on acute hospital services, I put in place maximum permissible waiting times for inpatient and day case treatment and outpatient appointments of 18 months by 30 June and 15 months by year end. In June, the HSE reported a performance against the 18 month maximum waiting time of 99.6% for in-patient/day cases and 92% for out-patients. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The UL Hospitals Group is currently performing much better than other regions or hospital groups in managing wait times. Plans are in place to ensure that by year end, all appointments offered will be within the maximum permissible waiting times. The Group has developed a comprehensive plan to manage the expected increase in ED presentations over the coming months. Key measures include: -...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Air Ambulance Service Provision (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Following a Government decision last July, the Emergency Aeromedical Support Service has been established on a permanent basis. This very valuable service ensures that seriously ill or injured people in more remote areas have timely access to appropriate high quality clinical care. The service is targeted mainly at western counties, where the road network may not allow for timely transport...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of and have been monitoring the situation in relation to the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. The HPV vaccine protects women from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. The vaccine is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in 1st year of secondary school. This is in accordance with the recommendation received from the National Immunisation Advisory...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Improving timely access to care is a key priority for the Government. In January, I put in place maximum permissible waiting times for inpatient and day case treatment and outpatient appointments of 18 months by 30 June and 15 months by year end. The HSE was provided with additional funding of €51m to ensure that these maximum waiting times are achieved. The funding provided is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The HSE has advised that Beaumont Hospital has appointed a design team, incorporating architects and healthcare planners, to undertake a feasibility study on the location, size and cost of building a new Emergency Department at the hospital. This is currently at stakeholder consultation phase, with a number of proposals being considered and the report is expected to be available in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Officials in my Department are working with their colleagues in the HSE, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement to ensure that the State achieves the best possible deal in terms of value for money regarding the pricing and supply of medicines. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Registration of Nurses (22 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I am pleased to report that progress has been made in relation to the registration delays in the NMBI. To 13 October 2015, 1,495 applicants have been registered this year, the highest in many years, of which 758 were Irish-trained applicants. The number of applications received to 13 October this year is up 139% on the same period in 2014. I would like to advise the Deputy that, to 13...