Results 37,441-37,460 of 46,228 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together. My Department and the HSE are committed to securing and developing the role of Portlaoise Hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. The most important issue in relation to any changes at Portlaoise Hospital is that patient safety and good quality outcomes must come first. Reports on Portlaoise Hospital in recent years...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (13 Dec 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The submission to the Dáil Committee for the Future of Healthcare quoted €325,000 for the capital cost of a bed, and €78,000 for running costs. The figure of €325,000 is based on the capital costs of building new ward space to accommodate an additional bed, and does not include additional equipping costs, or the costs of providing the necessary associated hospital...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In line with the 2013 Act, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE pursuant to the community drug schemes or as a hospital medicine, the company must first submit an...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Rintatolimod (brand name Ampligen) is an experimental drug in development for the treatment of a variety of chronic diseases and viral disorders, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). The drug has not been authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of ME in the European Union. If the drug should receive marketing authorisation in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Training (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: In November 2016, a working group, with an independent chair, was established by the HSE to conduct a comprehensive review of the role and function of the Health Care Assistant in the health service. It is expected that the work of the group will include a consideration of the educational qualification requirements for the role. The group will engage, as appropriate, with relevant bodies...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Protected Disclosures (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 to 529, inclusive, together. Multidrug-resistant infections and resistance to antibiotics are an ongoing and evolving international risk for all healthcare providers. I can assure the Deputy that the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance is a significant patient safety and public health priority for the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal devices under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Programme (13 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is shown in the following tables: May 2016 to date - Bills published, current stage and Bills enacted Bill Enacted/current stage Health (Amendment) Bill 2016 Enacted Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 Enacted The Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016 Passed by Dáil Eireann and scheduled for Committee and Report Stages in Seanad...

Seanad: Cystic Fibrosis Treatment: Statements (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank the Seanad for giving me an opportunity to address this important issue today. I look forward to listening to the contributions of Senators. I hope it is clear that everyone here shares the absolute objective of securing access to this medicine for Irish patients at an affordable price. Irish cystic fibrosis patients should have access to innovative treatments. This is the clear...

Seanad: Cystic Fibrosis Treatment: Statements (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank all Senators from all sides of the House for the great solidarity we have collectively shown today with cystic fibrosis patients in this country and for the very clear message we have collectively sent to Vertex, the drugs company. We want to make this drug available for our people, we want to pay a reasonable and fair price but we will not have extortion of our people and we will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Expenditure (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the costs of maintaining and securing the healthcare property estate, including costs incurred for St Finian's Hospital Killarney, is a service matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Haddington Road Agreement Savings (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Service Pay Commission (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: To date my Department has not made any submission to the Public Service Pay Commission. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the element of this question that relates to them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Groups (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Hospital Groups have been established on a non-statutory administrative basis in line with the Government’s programme for reform of the health service. The establishment of Hospital Groups is designed to deliver more responsive and equitable access to vital services for all patients. Potential benefits include increased efficiency and greater cost-effectiveness, better outcomes for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Co-operatives (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of products under the community drug schemes, including the LTI Scheme, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Dec 2016)

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: Disease Management (8 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together. Recommendation 30 of the National Rare Disease Plan recommends that the HSE develop a Working Group to bring forward appropriate decision criteria for the reimbursement of orphan medicines and technologies. The HSE has advised my Department that the terms of reference for the proposed Rare Diseases Technology Review Group are at final...