Results 20,861-20,880 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Data (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (17 Jan 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (17 Jan 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Building Programme (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the proposed development of an elective only facility in Cork, as proposed in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 - 2027. The NDP includes significant new programmes and projects, particularly in relation to additional capacity and the development of three elective only facilities. These projects reflect the next stage of health sector...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (17 Jan 2019)

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: Vaccination Programme (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137, 140 and 149 together. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is an independent committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland which is comprised of experts in a number of specialties, including infectious diseases, paediatrics, and public health, which makes recommendations to my Department on vaccination policy in Ireland. On foot...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. In parallel with the Rapid Access Clinic for Symptomatic Breast Disease in St James's Hospital, a Familial Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Service has evolved to provide a clinical service to women who are considered to be at higher than average risk of developing cancer in their lifetime. Due to increased referral rates to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The model of stand-alone maternity hospitals is not the norm internationally. In line with the National Maternity Strategy, Government policy is to co-locate all remaining maternity hospitals with adult acute services in order to provide optimal clinical outcomes. Co-location of maternity services with adult services provides mothers with access to a full range of medical and support services...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (17 Jan 2019)

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: HSE Expenditure (17 Jan 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2019 I announced a reduction in the prescription charge for medical card holders aged 70 and over, from €2 to €1.50, and a reduction in the monthly cap for this group from €20 to €15. The implementation date is 1 April 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Treatment Abroad Scheme (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) allows public patients to be referred to another EU/EEA country for treatment that is not available in Ireland, subject to qualifying criteria. A patient's Irish based consultant is responsible for referring the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS, after having exhausted all treatment options including tertiary care within...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (17 Jan 2019)

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 Appointments Delays (17 Jan 2019)

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 (17 Jan 2019)

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 Procedures (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) advises that on foot of a proposal submitted by Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) in 2018, funding was provided for extra theatre sessions in order to open additional surgical capacity to accommodate 50 surgeries which were undertaken primarily in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together. I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded EDs cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. Hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. Key...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 159 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Winter Plan came into effect on 1 December 2018 and will continue until 31 March 2019. The Plan seeks to ensure that the health system is as prepared as possible for the increase in demand on services over the coming months, within existing capacity and financial parameters. Key actions are now...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: In May, I made the decision to offer free out of cycle smears to any woman who was concerned about her health following issues which had emerged in relation to the CervicalCheck screening programme. This decision was made in good faith to address the considerable fears of the many anxious women in Ireland as a result of the issues that emerged in late April. In regard to the specifics...