Results 37,661-37,680 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE National Service Plan (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE National Service Plan 2017 which sets out the type and volume of health and personal social services that the HSE undertakes to provide within its financial allocation was formally submitted for my approval on Friday 25th November, 2016. Under the Health Act 2004 (as amended), I have 21 days from receiving the plan to either; a) approve the service plan in the form it was submitted b)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: In February of this year, the then Minister for Health announced his intention to provide public funding for assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment in conjunction with the planned introduction of legislation in this area. In order to determine the most appropriate funding model for AHR in the State, the Health Research Board (HRB) was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy (1 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 to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (1 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: Rare Diseases Strategy (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: A National Rare Disease Plan was published in 2014 and it contains 48 recommendations covering areas such as research, establishment of a national clinical programme and a national office for rare diseases, and the identification of Centres of Expertise. The report did not make a recommendation on increasing the number of genetic counsellors but rather that there is appropriate access to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (1 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: Prescriptions Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware of reports on trends indicating the increased use of psychotropic drugs. We are also aware that in recent years that the nature and scale of drug misuse has changed, with an increased prevalence of poly-drug use, as well as use of benzodiazepines, and other prescription or non-prescription medications. Treatment figures indicate an increase in the number of people...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. On foot of this allocation the NTPF recently issued a Prior Information Notice stating that commissioning will recommence and they will be engaging with suppliers through competitive dialogue on the required optimum approach for future...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Care Policy (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department does not collect data specifically on the cost to the exchequer of operating a private system of healthcare. However, the System of Health Accounts provides data on current health expenditure in Ireland and other EU and OECD countries, both public and private. It is collected by the CSO in Ireland for the purpose of estimating health care expenditure according to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: This Government is committed to improving waiting times for patients. While recognising that demand for acute hospital services has increased this year with a 4% increase in inpatient and day case activity nationally to end October compared with the same period last year, the important issue for patients is how long they wait. Under the HSE Service Plan 2016 targets, 95% of people should...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 65 together. The NTPF was established on a statutory basis in 2004 and previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been suspended. Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: This Government is committed to improving waiting times for patients. While recognising that demand for acute hospital services has increased, the important issue for patients is how long they wait. Under the HSE Service Plan 2016 targets, 85% of people should wait less than 52 weeks for their first outpatient appointment. The latest NTPF Outpatient Waiting List figures indicate that 75%...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: The NTPF was established on a statutory basis in 2004 and previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been suspended. I include with the official report a tabular statement setting out details of the annual budget of the NTPF and the number of patients treated per annum since its inception. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Decisions on pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products within public health systems are a national competence for EU Member States. However, the issue of pricing and reimbursement of medicines and patient access to affordable medicines has been addressed at European level. In June of this year the EU Council adopted conclusions on strengthening the balance in the pharmaceutical...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Acquired Infections (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: 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 (HCAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Government. I am aware of the challenges in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Increased demand for health services is evident across acute hospital services this year with a 5% increase in ED attendances and a 4% increase in inpatient and day-case activity to end October 2016, in comparison with the same period in 2015. Trolley numbers have been high in November due to increased ED attendances, greater incidence of infection in several hospitals and a high rate of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: This Government is committed to improving waiting times for patients. While recognising that demand for acute hospital services has increased, the important issue for patients is how long they wait. Under the HSE Service Plan 2016 targets, 85% of people should wait less than 52 weeks for their first outpatient appointment. The latest NTPF Outpatient Waiting List figures indicate that 86%...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 80 together. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the undertaking of a national hospital bed capacity review "to establish the number, type and location of beds required into the future recognising the need for a range of beds including critical care, palliative and day case bed stock", with the intention that this would form part of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Data (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Treatments have been commissioned from the private sector by both the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE in targeted initiatives to reduce waiting list numbers. The NTPF was established on a statutory basis in 2004 and previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (1 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...