Results 9,161-9,180 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: Regarding the two cases in question, HIQA is considering whether there is a need to assemble a new set of facts. I told the sister, whom I met last week, and the husband of the late Ann Moriarty, that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure they get the information required in whatever way it can be assembled. A considerable amount of information has already been assembled as there were...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: Many questions have been raised by the Deputy. First, the terms of reference will mandate that the inquiry be concluded within three months because speed is important. It is important for confidence in Ennis General Hospital, for the patients who attend there and for everyone else who is involved. Second, the mammogram in St. James's Hospital was analogue and not digital. However, I...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: I regret some of the comments made by the Deputy as I have met him on many occasions with regard to Clare matters. I stated that I was planning a private visit to Clare and would call into the hospital. I did not make the private visit, as it happened — I was going to attend a private family event and circumstances dictated I could not attend. I would be more than happy if in Clare to...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: I do not make a significant number of hospital visits because I am quite busy working in the office as much as I can. I meet people from Ennis and I have met with the Deputy on many occasions, as he knows.

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: With regard to capital investment, I gave a commitment that provision will be made in the 2008 capital plan for capital works at Ennis. That is a fact and there are parliamentary questions down today where I have answered that issue. The capital works must be compatible with the developments taking place at the hospital. As I stated in my earlier reply, significant work has been under way...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: One of the issues arising for BreastCheck is the recruitment of specialist radiographers. As a result of difficulties in seeking to recruit these specialist radiographers, arrangements have been put in place with the NHS in Britain and it may be possible to second radiographers for a short period to BreastCheck in order to facilitate the roll-out to those counties where this has not happened.

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: I cannot give a precise date and have never done so. I do not know. We have provided the resources for the roll-out nationally and the centres have been constructed and are operational in Cork and Galway. The mobile units are in place in many counties around the country. It is regrettable that take-up in some areas, for example, County Mayo, is disappointing. We all need to apply our...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: The focus of the questions is Ennis General Hospital and the tragic deaths of two individuals. I am, however, familiar with the Deputy's correspondence which was received in my Department on 28 or 29 August. He also tabled a parliamentary question which I cleared last night. In my reply to the question, I indicated that the matters raised are being fully examined, that I have asked the...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: I have done so already. My office brought the matter to my attention and the Department is aware of the Deputy's correspondence. All patient safety issues are now referred to the chief medical officer in the Department. A new medical officer who will be appointed some time in October — a recruitment campaign is under way — will head up a new patient safety division in the Department...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: Errors also occur in a quality assured service. I regret very much the circumstances and state of health of the woman to whom the Deputy referred. I hope to have all the facts of the case and to be in a position to communicate with the Deputy by Friday. If the facts, as suggested by the Deputy, are borne out, we will have had a cytology failing in one of our hospitals. I would regret that...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: That happens all the time.

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: The Deputy could have telephoned me.

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: I thank the Deputy for his comments. A process relating to referrals for women who have concerns is, in effect, up and running. I understand the HSE is in contact with general practitioners in order to make available to them information relating to the precise referral arrangements in each region. This matter relates to hospitals other than that in Ennis. The idea is that there will be a...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: Women in Clare or anywhere else who are concerned should go to their general practitioners who will be able to refer them to one of the eight centres of excellence. The idea is that the centres deal with those suffering from symptomatic cancer. However, they also deal with families that are in the high-risk category. Earlier this week I was visited in my office by a group from another part...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: There are family history clinics at a number of locations, including the Mater Hospital, Drogheda and elsewhere. If there is an issue regarding the mid-west region, I will communicate with Professor Keane in respect of it.

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: I understand that the biopsy relating to Edel Kelly has been reviewed.

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: Yes, I believe that to be the case. As the Deputy is aware, there is a recommendation in the Rebecca O'Malley report regarding which tissue should be the subject of a fine needle aspiration. I understand that doctors should be guided by ultrasound scans in order to identify which tissue to take. Professor Drumm stated that another case is being investigated. That is not the cytology case...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: The only other case in regard to Ennis of which I am aware is the one to which I referred. I understand the HSE is investigating whether a breast cancer diagnosis was delayed. However, as Minister and a representative for Dublin Mid-West, I am aware of many cases around the country where there were misdiagnoses. To put this in context and to be fair, because it is not often understood by...

Cancer Screening Programme. (24 Sep 2008)

Mary Harney: I understand one of the ten appointments now being made is a radiologist for Limerick. Limerick will have a minimum of two full-time breast surgeons, two radiologists with a specialist interest in breasts, two pathologists and additional medical oncologists. The recruitment process is under way and ten appointments have been made, or certainly people have been offered appointments. Further...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2008)

Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of...