Results 38,641-38,660 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: In May, the HSE granted approval to the Hospital Groups to recruit an additional 100 midwives. The allocation of these midwives was informed by the findings of the Birth Rate Plus midwifery workforce project. In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (18 Oct 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: Speech and Language Therapy Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The Government recognises that waiting lists for speech and language therapy have been very difficult for families. To address this, €4 million was provided under the HSE’s National Service Plan 2016 to specifically focus on speech and language therapy waiting lists in Primary Care and Social Care for children up to 18 years old. This investment represents a long-term...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long children are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff (18 Oct 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments (18 Oct 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware that a number of outpatient oncology appointments have had to be rescheduled at University Hospital Galway. The HSE has advised that this is due to a high volume of patients listed for attendance at the Oncology/Haemotology day ward. The patients involved have been provided with rescheduled dates and every effort is being made to see all patients in a timely fashion....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Ambulance Service has undergone a programme of modernisation in recent years and a number of significant service innovations and developments have taken place. These developments will continue in 2017 with increased funding which will be available to the National Ambulance Service for 2017. With regard to the specific enquiry raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Ambulance Service has undergone a programme of modernisation in recent years and a number of significant service innovations and developments have taken place. These developments will continue in 2017 with increased funding which will be available to the National Ambulance Service for 2017. With regard to the specific enquiry raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: UK Referendum on EU Membership (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department has built on initial work completed to undertake a full audit of the possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies arising over the longer term as a result of the UK's decision to leave the EU, including in the area of cross-border health co-operation. This work is being conducted by a sub-committee of the Management Board set up to examine the potential consequences...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift within the health service towards primary care in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. Occupational Therapy has, as one of its core values, the principle of enabling people to remain in their own homes and communities. I can advise the Deputy that the HSE National Therapy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest. While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: It is recognised that recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives is a significant issue at present. This is due to a range of factors including intense competition globally and from private providers for nurses due to a world wide shortage and the international standing of public nurses trained in Ireland, working conditions and lifestyle choices. I am committed to making terms and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: The marketing authorisation for Lariam (active substance, mefloquine) was withdrawn from the Irish market by Roche Products Ltd, the marketing authorisation holder, in July 2016. The reason Roche withdrew the authorisation was commercial. As the marketing authorisation for this product has been withdrawn in Ireland, the product information for Lariam is no longer available on the Health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Legal Cases (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: This issue was addressed in the High Court on 18 June 2015 when the Court was informed that a settlement had been reached whereby the Plaintiffs entered into an agreement to discontinue their claim against the State Defendants.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Research (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: Since 2005, the Health Research Board (HRB), a statutory agency under the aegis of my Department, has invested approximately €53m in the development of a network of cancer clinical trials in hospitals across Ireland. The aims of this initiative are to ensure that a significant proportion of patients have the option to participate in the latest clinical trials, to improve the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (18 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: I have been advised that the BreastCheck programme will return to Sligo before the end of November and will provide screening services there for approximately 6 months. The BreastCheck mobile unit is scheduled to visit Tubbercurry around September next year. A mobile mammography service for breast cancer patients who are 5 years post treatment will also be located at Sligo University...