Results 43,481-43,500 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the witnesses for their time and their detailed submission. I know they are all working very hard on trying to clear up some of the damage being done to what appears to have been one of the most successful screening programmes of its kind anywhere in the world. I will start with accountability and move into some of the waiting times and what is being done. I would also like to look...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: The context is certainly important. Nonetheless, it is important to be led by clinical and expert advice on these issues. As noted by Dr. Flannelly, overtesting has no medical benefit and can tilt into harm. Is that fair?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: I appreciate that. This may be a question for Dr. Doherty as the clinical lead. Is there a medical benefit to offering the out-of-cycle test?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: I understand the political context. I am asking a medical question of the clinical lead. Is there a medical benefit to a shorter interval?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Dr. Doherty. As the national director of services, does Mr. McCallion accept, given the submission we now have, that the decision to offer the out-of-cycle test was taken contrary to clinical advice provided by the national screening service?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Mr. McCallion. I have a final question on colposcopy. A lot of data have been provided about women waiting to hear their test results. What are the waiting times and how many are waiting who have been referred for colposcopy as part of the care pathway of the screening service, as opposed to for other reasons?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: If I understand Dr. Doherty correctly, the waiting times to see a colposcopist have not increased in the past year. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: I want to reflect. Mr. McCallion stated earlier, quite nobly, that he took responsibility for a lot of what is happening upon his team and the HSE. I think he is taking responsibility for the wrong thing. Largely, the crisis of confidence was caused by politicians in the Oireachtas. It was partly caused by Members of the Oireachtas outside of Government and by how the Oireachtas reacted...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: Mr. McCallion does not think it is an issue with Ireland. It is not that there is capacity out there and the international market is cautious of engaging with the HSE.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: I understand that, on an ongoing basis, there is a public procurement process which is very detailed and which has to be dealt with in a very clever way. However, we are dealing with a backlog of 80,000 tests. In the context of finding temporary additional capacity to ensure that the women involved get their results on time, what is the problem? Are international providers nervous about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: Does the HSE now have an expected date for the availability of the HPV test? It did not have one the last time it was before the committee. What is the HSE's view on temporarily suspending tests to clear the backlog? As Deputy Lisa Chambers stated, the media has reported that one of the labs has proposed that as well. What is the HSE's view? My final question concerns the women recalled...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: If I understand Mr. McCallion, all 2,500 women will have their results within two weeks. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: If I understand Mr. McCallion, there is no projected target date for the introduction of the test. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: Regarding the HSE's view on the temporary suspension of the programme-----

Autism Support Services: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: As Deputy Murphy O'Mahony has said, Fianna Fáil will support this excellent motion. I hope it is supported unanimously by the House and certainly by the Government. I acknowledge that Deputies Funchion and Ó Caoláin, who tabled the motion, have taken a lead on this issue. The Minister of State may be aware that a few weeks ago, Senator Reilly told the Seanad that "A year...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Expenditure (2 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: 256. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2019 of the 10% increase across all general practitioner visit card weekly income thresholds; and the estimated full year cost of same. [14796/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme Expenditure (2 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: 257. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2019 of the €10 reduction in the monthly drugs payment scheme threshold from €134 to €124; and the estimated full year cost of same. [14797/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (2 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: 258. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2019 of the reduction in prescription charges from €2 to €1.50 for all medical card holders over 70 years of age; and the estimated full year cost of same. [14798/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (2 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: 297. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the decision not to make Spinraza available to patients here now that a 28-day period has passed which allowed the drug company time to respond to the initial State decision and-or provide further information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Status (2 Apr 2019)

Stephen Donnelly: 299. To ask the Minister for Health the status of information technology and associated fit-out plans for the new national children’s hospital; the costs and configuration involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14971/19]