Results 37,621-37,640 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff (6 Dec 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (6 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. The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Audiology Services Provision (6 Dec 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Audiology Services Provision (6 Dec 2016)

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

Cannabis for Medicinal Use (Regulations) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Two.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use (Regulations) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I understand why the people in the Gallery applauded Deputy Kenny. He highlights a very important issue. Having engaged with him over the past week, I fully accept and understand his sincerity and desire to try to do the right thing by Irish patients and those suffering. I thank him for the Bill and the opportunity his tabling it provides us to try to debate and progress the very important...

Other Questions: Maternity Services (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I will do my best. The issue in Mayo has been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission and I hope everyone involved will use all available mechanisms to resolve the dispute. People do not take these decisions lightly but it is in everybody's interests, including those of women, that this issue be resolved as quickly as possible. I accept the thrust of what Deputy Clare Daly is...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I replied to both questions as a group and, therefore, the points I made in response to Deputy Moynihan regarding what I wish to do to tackle waiting lists and the longest waiters stand in the context of this question about Cork. I intend to take the steps I have outlined and that the South-South West Hospital Group will outline as well. Although the Deputy is not suggesting that I am...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I take seriously the points raised by Deputy Kelleher and, indeed, a number of Cork-based Deputies have brought these to my attention. I will act on them. I have asked the HSE to provide a report on gynaecological service waiting times and what it proposes to do to reduce them. I expect to have that in hand before I meet directly with clinicians in Cork, who also have a range of options....

Other Questions: Maternity Services (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I visited the Coombe Hospital only yesterday, I visited Holles Street Hospital only last Friday and I visited the Rotunda Hospital the week before. In years past, our maternity services did not receive the priority they needed in respect of investment and I am determined to fix that. This is not a political point; it is one levelled at...

Other Questions: Maternity Services (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I agree with the Deputy. Maternity services were neglected compared to other parts of the health service, even in years when money was aplenty. It cannot, therefore, just be put down to a recessionary challenge. It was an issue going back through the generations and we have to work collectively to rectify it. I acknowledge the Deputy said the national maternity strategy is a good document...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 12 together. I thank Deputy Moynihan for tabling that important question. Similar to Deputy Lahart's question, I would begin by pointing out that we have seen a significant level of underinvestment, perhaps due to the difficult challenging economic years, in addressing waiting lists. There is a direct correlation between under-investing in waiting...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: There does, there will be and there are. That is seen by the increased level of investment in the health service, which is being translated as we speak into a HSE service plan which will see more funding going into the health service in 2017 than in 2016, which is more funding than ever before. I am not suggesting in any way, shape or form that we can rectify all of the challenges and...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I will certainly ask that this be considered in the context of the NTPF funding. It has €20 million for expenditure in 2017. I have approved the first €5 million of that which is for day-case procedures largely because we can get through quite a volume of day-case procedures which takes pressure off the acute hospitals and allows them to do other procedures as well. I have...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: They were taken together.

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to improving waiting times for patients. It is the waiting time rather than the headline figure that is the Deputy's focus, and it is an important point. While recognising that the demand for acute hospital services has increased the important issue for patients is how long they wait. The latest National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, inpatient and day case...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I would tell them that it is utterly unacceptable. That is the reason I believe the House is united in its view, and it is my view, that every cent we target on waiting lists must be focused on the longest waiters. Thankfully we are now spending specific money on waiting lists, be it the €20 million for the NTPF in 2017, the further €55 million earmarked for 2018 or the...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Indeed.

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I see merit in the NTPF, regardless of past political debates. I acknowledge that the Deputy's party established it. If I was to be objective, in the past perhaps the NTPF cherry-picked patients somewhat, and the point the Deputy and I would agree on is that this time it must target those waiting the longest. That has to be the difference. With regard to the increase in attendances and...

Other Questions: Maternity Services (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Rabbitte for this important question. Regarding the two vacancies in the University Hospital Galway maternity service, the Saolta University Healthcare Group has advised that these vacancies have arisen due to the resignation of the director of midwifery in the autumn, and the untimely passing of the assistant director of midwifery earlier this year. I am advised by the...