Results 25,941-25,960 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (29 May 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Groups (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Currently, there are seven hospital groups which have responsibility for planning and managing acute hospital services within a specified area. The Groups are presently established on a non-statutory administrative basis. Each Group has an Administrative Board that has a mandate to assist and advise in respect of acute hospital services in the Hospital Group. Management teams are in place for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Negligence Cases (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Since the publication of the recommendations of the Working Group on Medical Negligence and Periodic Payments, which was chaired by former High Court Judge John Quirke, significant legal reforms have been introduced or are on the way in order to deal more effectively with clinical negligence claims.   These include the enacting of The Mediation Act, 2017 and The Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: At the end of March, the HSE is €116m over profile.  While made up of offsetting surpluses and deficits, the main drivers of the overall deficit are Acute Hospitals, Disabilities, Support Services, State Claims Agency, and underachievement on the Value Improvement Programme.  Expenditure in the Acute Hospitals Division is approximately €63m over budget at the end...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reform (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The Sláintecare report makes a number of recommendations in relation to improving health service structures, governance and accountability, including the establishment of a governing board for the HSE and the establishment of regional bodies to support the delivery of integrated care. A range of actions are already underway in response to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Improving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the programme for Government. It is acknowledged that outpatient waiting lists are a challenge which need to be addressed. The development of a sustainable and safe paediatric orthopaedic service, including scoliosis services for children and young people has been prioritised in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (29 May 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that Outpatient waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. The HSE service plan 2018 sets out a target that 80% of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment will be seen within a 52 week wait timeframe. HSE figures for March 2018 show that Our Lady's Hospital, Navan is seeing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Charges (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The Minister of Health approved a policy for the reimbursement of the expenses of living donors in November 2014. The scheme provides for the reimbursement of accommodation and travel expenses incurred by living kidney donors up to a maximum of €6,000.  In addition, the scheme reimburses loss of earnings incurred by salaried/waged donors and self-employed donors for up to 12 weeks...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Improving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The Outpatient waiting list remains a significant challenge to be addressed in 2018. The HSE service plan 2018 sets out a target that 80% of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment will be seen within a 52 week wait timeframe. HSE figures for March...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Specialist cardiac catheterisation lab services are provided in a small number of hospitals in order to ensure that the services provided achieve the required standards of safety, quality and sustainability in the interests of patients. The Deputy may wish to note that I have established a Steering Group, chaired by Professor Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (29 May 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I am committed to the development of an improved GP out of hours service for North Wicklow which can provide the appropriate level of cover for the population of the area. The development of such a service will allow GPs to participate fully in the provision of an integrated healthcare system providing medical services that are appropriate, timely and effective, easily accessible and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 313 and 410 together. On 9 February 2018, an agreement was reached at the WRC between the Department of Health, the HSE and health sector Trade Unions in relation to a process aimed at resolving the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies.  While it is understood that pay savings were made by the organisations, the precise...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I would like to convey my sympathies to the families involved and welcome the completion of this review process for them. The HSE has advised me that Portiuncula University Hospital and Saolta University Health Care Group have reviewed the findings and recommendations in the report.  An Implementation Team is already in place to progress the recommendations. I particularly welcome...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Improving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the programme for Government. It is acknowledged that outpatient waiting lists are a challenge which need to be addressed. The development of a sustainable and safe paediatric orthopaedic service, including scoliosis services for children and young people has been prioritised in the 2018....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The Government is firmly committed to supporting the recruitment and retention of the right mix of workers across the health service. Notwithstanding recruitment and retention challenges, the number of consultants has increased by 110 in the 12 months to end March 2018 and by 462 in the past five years. Similarly, funding was provided in 2017 for the Nursing Recruitment and Retention...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: The Government and the HSE remain committed to recruiting and retaining nurses and midwives in the public health service. As part of the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement with the INMO and SIPTU, the HSE agreed to appoint 1,224 additional nurses and midwives in 2017. The HSE has submitted the final report setting out progress on implementation of the Agreement as at end...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (29 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the important role that general practitioners play in our health service and I recognise the commitment of GPs to ensuring a responsive, accessible and high-quality service to patients. The Government is committed to engaging with the representatives of GPs on the development of a package of measures and reforms to modernise the current GMS contract and which will enable...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services Provision (29 May 2018)

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