Results 21,621-21,640 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Car Parks (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 127 together. Early this year I requested the HSE to undertake a review of car parking charges in public hospitals. The HSE established a review group with the aim of providing clear national guidance and principles for hospitals with regard to car parking. I met with HSE officials in October to discuss the progress of this review. I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Records (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The Quality Assurance and Verification Division of the HSE was established in 2015 to monitor and report on the quality and safety of health and social care services. I have asked the HSE to refer the original question to the QAVD and to provide information to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is ongoing and it is expected that the work will be completed by the end of June 2019. The aim of the Review is to achieve the optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: Improving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for government. This year €55 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients. This has been increased to a total of €75 million for 2019 and as a result of this additional funding, my Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a Scheduled...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Partnership Government is committed to expanding the role of community pharmacy, where this can provide better outcomes for public patients. However, any expansion of services should address unmet public health needs, improve access to existing public health services delivered elsewhere or provide better value for money or patient outcomes if delivered through pharmacy. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Agency Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (5 Dec 2018)

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: Medicinal Products Expenditure (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: My Department and the HSE are engaging in a number of initiatives which will endeavour to lead to better access to medicines for patients, value for the taxpayer and the cost- effective provision of medicines in Ireland. A public consultation on a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy was undertaken by the Department of Health in Q4 2017. The responses to the consultation and other possible...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the distress overcrowded EDs cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country. This year has been characterised by high demand for unscheduled care, particularly among the over-75 age group, which was further exacerbated by Storm Emma and the extended influenza season earlier this year. My...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: As has previously been advised to the Deputy, the HSE has advised that analysis is required in order to make the requested data available. Noting that the Deputy has requested, in effect, that the unanalysed data be provided, the interpretation of such data would not be clear. The requirement for analysis reflects the complexities involved. For example, some women may have had multiple...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement was agreed between the parties in 2017. This agreement provided for a funded workforce plan for 2017 and for funded workforce plans to be developed for subsequent years. Progress was made by the HSE in relation to recruitment in 2017, with the number of nurses and midwives increasing by 942 WTEs (including student nurses). This meant that 77%...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The Public Service Stability Agreement is delivering wage increases of 6.4% to 7.2% over 2018-2020 and is weighted toward the lowest paid. On top of the pay increases provided under the PSSA, in September agreement was reached with staff interests on proposals relating to the so-called “new entrant pay” issue. This would deliver an average of an additional €3,000 over...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Admissions (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: According to the National Patient Experience Survey which was published recently, 84% of respondents said they had a very good or good experience in our hospitals. The results regarding the confidence and trust, as well as the dignity and respect patients experience while in hospital, were also encouraging. It is a matter of concern, however, that in the case of Tallaght University...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: I am aware that the organisation referred to by the Deputy has had difficulties in attracting a replacement Chief Executive Officer. Discussions are taking place between officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to deciding whether the salary bands for certain Section 38 funded agencies require adjustment in the context of such difficulties....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (5 Dec 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Data (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The most up to date validated data in relation to attendances is to the end of October 2018. Up to the end of October 2018, total ED attendances at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital were 51,571, up 3.1% compared to the same period in 2017. ED admissions were 15,791, up 3.5% compared to the same period in 2017. For those over 75, ED attendances were 5,245, up 8.6%,compared to the same period in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Properties (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: Western Building Systems has undertaken work for the Health Service Executive over the last ten years at eleven HSE owned buildings. Further to an assessment of all eleven buildings it was found that there were no fire safety or structural issues arising and therefore the Health Service Executive determined that no further action is required.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: The report of the Trauma Steering Group was approved by Government in February 2018. It recommends the establishment of an inclusive trauma system and sets out key recommendations for the organisation of trauma care and the provision of patient-centred trauma services. Implementation of the National Trauma Strategy is part of the wider Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. An interim...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Services (5 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Health, I fully recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. The Health Service Capacity Review baseline forecast is for a sharp rise in the capacity needed across all sectors by 2031 to meet the projected demand for services in the years ahead. This includes...