Results 40,801-40,820 of 46,235 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Staff (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE's Mental Health Division is experiencing significant challenges in recruiting suitably qualified nurses for the mental health services. Given this, it sought from the National Director, Human Resources, and was granted a derogation from the policy which did not allow for the rehiring of retired staff. Following this decision some retired mental health nurses have been rehired to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Considerable efforts have been made by the Saolta Healthcare Group to improve the staffing levels at Portiuncula Hospital. In March 2016, the Hospital hired one extra ED consultant, an increase from one consultant to two. In the area of Medicine, the Hospital has five consultants in post; two permanent, three locum and two vacancies. The three locum posts are being filled on a permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cross-Border Health Services Provision (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Cross-border cooperation on health makes sense, allowing us to pool our resources to provide better health care for all our citizens. North-South cooperation on health matters takes place through the North South Ministerial Council as well as joint departmental projects. There has been significant activity in cross-border health and social care activity over the last decade. Collaboration...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised at global, European and national levels, including Ireland, as one of the greatest potential threats to human and animal health with possible serious consequences for public health, animal welfare and the agriculture and food sectors. The emergence of resistance is a normal biological phenomenon but is increased through the overuse and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: An easing of restrictions on the employment of additional staff was announced in Budget 2015. Under this new approach public sector organisations can obtain delegated sanction to recruit within the parameters of their pay budget once they obtain approval for their Pay and Numbers Strategy from their parent Department and from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This change...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Data (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE estimate that the projected number of persons covered by Medical Card eligibility on 31 December 2016, as outlined in the HSE Service Plan will be 1,675,767. On 1 May 2016, the number of people with Medical Card eligibility was 1,731,406, which included 104,671 persons granted eligibility on the basis of the exercise of discretion. It is not possible to forecast the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has focused on the recruitment of additional front line staff to support service delivery and continues to do so, as additional resources have become available. From the end of April 2014 to the end of April 2016 the number of nursing and midwifery staff working in the public health service increased by 1,275 in whole time equivalent terms to 35,925. Recent measures taken in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Safety (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Work on a new independent national model for patient advocacy as recommended by the HIQA Report into Portlaoise Report has commenced. This advocacy service will be external to the Department and the HSE and will be in line with international best practice. The Department has begun the examination of the most appropriate patient advocacy model for Ireland having requested the Health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE National Service Plan (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The National Service Plan sets out the type and volume of health and social care services to be provided by the HSE in a given year within the funding allocated by the Government. I understand that the HSE has already begun its preparatory work in relation to the 2017 National Service Plan, but detailed workings and finalisation can only be completed once the 2017 Budget is announced and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Recruitment (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has focused on the recruitment of additional front line staff to support service delivery and continues to do so, as additional resources have become available. From the end of April 2014 to the end of April 2016 the number of nursing and midwifery staff working in the public health service increased by 1,275 in whole time equivalent terms to 35,925. Recent measures taken in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department, together with the HSE, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement, entered negotiations with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) in recent months with a view to securing an agreement that would: - significantly reduce the price of medicines to the Irish taxpayer; - reduce growth in the drugs and medicines bill to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Minor Ailments Scheme (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: I am informed by the HSE that the target date for commencement of the pilot Minor Ailments Scheme developed between the HSE and the Irish Pharmacy Union is 1 July. The four locations chosen for the pilot scheme are Edenderry, Roscommon, Macroom and Kells. The pilot scheme will run for a period of three months, and a review of its effectiveness will then be conducted. The objective of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Under a Framework Agreement, signed in 2014, the HSE, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. As a first step in this process, universal GP care without fees for all children under the age of 6 years was...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Pressures on Emergency Departments have been rising, given an ageing and growing population. ED attendances have been significantly higher this year, particularly in Quarter 1. To date, the HSE has reported an average increase in attendances of nearly 6% compared with the same period last year. Despite attendance increases, TrolleyGAR numbers in Quarter 1 2016 are similar to those for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: Arising from Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an easing of restrictions on the employment of additional staff. Submission of a Pay and Numbers Strategy, outlining planned staffing levels and pay/pensions expenditure was required to obtain sanction for the lifting of the moratorium and Employment Control Framework arrangements. This change allows for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: My Department has committed, in its Statement of Strategy 2015-2017, to developing a national integrated strategic framework for health workforce planning, in collaboration with Government Departments and agencies. Workforce Planning models in other countries will be assessed and analysed as part of this development process. This will provide an overarching framework for strategic,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Retirements (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: As set out in the Programme for Partnership Government, the Government is committed to the goal of universal healthcare. One of the key proposals in the Programme is the establishment of an Oireachtas Committee to develop cross-party consensus on the future of the health service. I believe the health service would benefit enormously from a single unifying vision that can help to drive...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (2 Jun 2016)

Simon Harris: The decision to locate the new children's hospital at the St James's campus was based on the over-riding priority of best clinical outcomes for our children and, in particular, the sickest of these. The planned new facilities will provide us with the means to deliver on improved health outcomes for children, especially the sickest children in Ireland. I am delighted at the unanimous...