Results 28,981-29,000 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 221 and 233 together. Tackling overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) is a key commitment of the Government. Accordingly, €30 million in additional funding was provided in 2017, and a further €40 million is being made available in 2018, to manage the expected peak in demand for our health services over the winter period and to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the statutory body responsible for standards, education and training in the area of pre-hospital emergency care. PHECC's statutory functions encompass the recognition and assessment of institutions providing education and training in pre-hospital care and the determination of the standards for training courses. PHECC has a long standing,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: On foot of the 2017 HPRA report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’ I announced the establishment of a cannabis for medical use access programme for patients under the care of a consultant and suffering from certain medical conditions which have failed to respond to all other previous treatments. The Programme is intended to facilitate access to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities. Throughout 2017, the HSE and NTPF worked together to drive down long wait times for Inpatient and Daycase procedures. Over 29,000 patients came off the Inpatient/Daycase waiting list by the end of October . In order to continue the strong focus on reducing waiting times for scheduled care, Budget 2018 included...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge that waiting times for Ophthalmology patients are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the impact of this on people's lives. Data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund indicates that as of 29 December 2017 there were 23 people waiting for an outpatient Ophthalmology appointment in Mercy University Hospital and 13 people waiting for an Inpatient/Daycase...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Correspondence (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I approved the NSP 2018 on its own merits and, as required under legislation, assessed it by reference to relevant legislative provisions, the letter of determination, the policies and objectives of the Government and the HSE’s approved Corporate Plan. It is the responsibility of the HSE to manage the entire budget and to set out in its Service Plan what can be delivered in the coming...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (8 Feb 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 186 together. The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In reaching a decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Properties (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: As the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the day care centre on Drogheda Street, Monasterevin, Co Kildare.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Data (8 Feb 2018)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments Waiting Times (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities. Consequently, the HSE Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan 2017 contained a specific target to reduce by 50% the number of patients who would be waiting 15 months or more for outpatient appointments by the end of October 2017. The Plan aimed to remove over 95,000 patients from the Outpatient Waiting List. This...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the safety concerns that have been raised surrounding the use of Transvaginal mesh procedures. As Minister for Health, I want to ensure that both the current use of mesh implants in uro-gynaecological procedures in Ireland, and the on-going clinical management of women who have had these procedures in the past, are in line with international best practice and emerging evidence....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: There are no medicinal products with a marketing authorisation in Ireland for the termination of pregnancy. Literature indicates that mifepristone alone, or in combination with misoprostol, may be used for the medical termination of pregnancy, or for the induction of labour following miscarriage. There are currently no medicinal products containing mifepristone authorised for use in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities. In addition, all patients are prioritised according to clinical need. The HSE Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan 2017 contained a specific target to reduce by 50% the number of patients who would be waiting 15 months or more for outpatient appointments by the end of October 2017. The Plan aimed to remove...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to “...put in place a scheme, on a no-fault basis, that will respond to the needs of people with disability arising from vaccination”. The final report of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group was published in 2009 and recommended establishing an ex-gratia payment scheme. The policy objectives in putting in place a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: Reducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities. Data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund indicates, that as of 29 December 2017, there were 3,790 people waiting for Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) gynaecology outpatient services and 425 people waiting for gynaecology inpatient/daycase services. Of this number, approximately 48% (202...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: The National Service Plan 2018 sets out a budget of over €14.5 billion for the HSE which is the highest ever budget allocated. Since Budget 2015, the HSE has received significant additional funding of almost €2.5 billion, or an extra 20%, with an additional €600m provided for 2018 alone. This is a substantial additional level of funding for our health services and the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme Administration (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 215 together. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (8 Feb 2018)

Simon Harris: October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles the 2017 total allocation of €20m. The HSE and the NTPF are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018. This will include ambitious targets for both the HSE and the NTPF...