Results 24,201-24,220 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 471, 474 and 501 together. The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: 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. On 11 July 2014, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 were amended to allow for certain cannabis-based medicinal products to be used in Ireland. The Health Products Regulatory Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (18 Sep 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Community Care Provision (18 Sep 2018)

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: Medical Card Drugs Availability (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key health service objective. However, the challenge is to do this in a safe and sustainable manner. Treatment must be appropriate and proportionate and clinical decision-making, such as prescribing, should be based on both patient needs and sound medical...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: In relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to ensure that a reply to the PQ No.176 is forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services (18 Sep 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service (18 Sep 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: The National Ambulance Service (NAS) Capacity Review, which was published in 2016, identified that additional resources were required to enable the NAS to meet the response time targets set by HIQA. Implementation of the Capacity Review recommendations require a multi-annual programme of phased investment in ambulance manpower, vehicles and technology. In that regard, over...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Services (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to exploring the feasibility of the expansion of air ambulance services, including the possibility of a second air ambulance base. My Department was approached by the Irish Community Air Ambulance who proposed the establishment of a charitably funded Helicopter Emergency Medical Service based in Co Cork. Following a meeting with me in March...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I cannot discuss individual cases, however I am aware of the case mentioned and am very sorry to hear of the long time that the person has been waiting. I am advised that the treating Hospital is actively engaged with the family in question on a treatment plan.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I continue to support the HSE in its efforts to bring down the waiting times for and improve access to scoliosis services. The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 has been prioritised by my Department and the HSE in the 2018 HSE National Service Plan. €9 million funding has been provided in 2018 to improve access to paediatric orthopaedic services...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: Waiting List figures for the end of August show there are 188 (of which 109 are Spinal Fusion) patients on the waiting list for spinal surgery. Of which 90 are actively waiting, 14 are To Come Ins (they have dates for surgery), and 40 are suspended and 44 are on the planned procedure list. The HSE advise that there are 109 patients waiting over 4 months for surgery. Of which 48 are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: The investment in paediatric orthopaedics this year, to include scoliosis services, has already improved access for surgery and out-patient review to address the lengthy waiting times experienced by children and young people with scoliosis. The impact of investment is now starting to deliver results with a consistent reduction in waiting times being recorded. Since January there is an 18%...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (18 Sep 2018)

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 Facilities (18 Sep 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together. A mobile cath lab has been deployed at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) since October 2017 to conduct diagnostic cardiac procedures. Last month, it was replaced by the provider with a relocatable cath lab, operating on the same basis as the mobile cath lab, i.e., it is managed by three diagnostic cardiologists, operates Monday,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: The challenge of securing affordable access to innovate medicines is not unique to Ireland. On the 22 June 2018, I signed the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy to work with Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. This Agreement is in line with my objective to work with other European countries to identify workable solutions, in an increasingly challenging...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (18 Sep 2018)

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: Health Services Provision (18 Sep 2018)

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