Results 20,501-20,520 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Investigations (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: In relation to the Cork University Hospital mortuary review, the Department has been advised by the HSE that the External Review Team is currently seeking legal opinion. Communication has issued to the families advising them of the further delay. The Department is continuing to engage with the HSE in relation to progress on this matter. As this Parliamentary Question relates to an...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The number of people on acute scheduled care waiting lists was already too high before the pandemic and now, following months of disruption to services, there are over 730,000 waiting for scheduled care in Ireland. In February of this year, I launched the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, following extensive consultation between my Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants. The HSE has confirmed to the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments cause to patients, their families, and staff throughout the country. I am committed to improving emergency services for all. The Government invested an additional €1.1bn in budget 2021 to expand capacity, increases services and support reform. We maintained this level of investment in budget 2022. The Government invested...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 376 together. The Government’s commitment to Sláintecare reform and to ensuring every patient receives the right care, in the right place, at the right time is absolute and unwavering. €1.235 billion was allocated to Sláintecare initiatives in Budget 2021 enabling and supporting major milestones in the implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Under Action 25 of the Civil Service Renewal Planthe Civil Service as a whole committed to carrying out a series of employee engagement surveys, the first of which was undertaken in September 2015. The most recent survey, coordinated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was conducted in 2020. The surveys are undertaken to help civil service employers to understand and build on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter. 

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs contracted under the General Medical Services Scheme are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy, for emergencies outside of normal practice hours. While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out of hours co-operatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, such services facilitate the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: In 2021, the HSE commenced a new procurement that allows patients to have treatment with private Specialist Orthodontists. The Waiting list plan initiative for 2022 included €11 million in funding is to be made available for identified community initiatives, including a focus on orthodontics. A HSE orthodontic treatment waiting list initiative in 2022 will see Children and Young People...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Management (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for orthopaedic treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. One of the central priorities for me as Minister for Health is that waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures are improved, and that children receive the care that they need and deserve in a timely and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 gives full statutory powers to the HSE to assess and make decisions on the reimbursement of all medicines taking account of a range of objective factors, clinical benefits, cost effectiveness and expert opinion as appropriate. Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR) has been fully applicable as of 26 May 2021 and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDR) becomes fully applicable as of 26 May 2022.  The aim of these new regulations is to provide a robust and consistent regulatory framework for medical devices and enhance public health across the EU, by ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The next meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) is due to take place in Luxembourg on 14 June 2022. I understand the draft agenda will include an item relating to the implementation of the Medical Devices Regulation.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have also received a copy of the data from the person in question and have responded directly on the matter. COVID-19 is a new diseases and information on it, its features, incidence and course are still emerging. My Department and the HSE, continue to review new evidence, research and data on all aspects of COVID19 including Long COVID, as it emerges to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Department is working with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme to improve access to gynaecology services, through the implementation of the Ambulatory Gynaecology Model of Care. This centres on the establishment of one-stop “see and treat” ambulatory gynaecology clinics. An ambulatory care model is a more efficient and effective...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Unfortunately, medicine shortages have become increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade and are a feature of modern health systems around the world. There are many reasons for such shortages including shortages of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties, logistical/transport issues or product recalls due to potential quality defects.  Medicines shortages can therefore...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Reviews (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: A comprehensive review of maternity services was carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority, an independent authority established to drive high-quality and safe care in Ireland. In 2018 and 2019, HIQA undertook a monitoring programme of all 19 maternity units/hospitals, against the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services. Assessment of services undertaken...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (26 May 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.