Results 11,001-11,020 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: The entire midlands region did not have that volume of cases. The Northern Ireland health services are way ahead of ours. They were rationalised many years ago and reduced the number of surgeons.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Belfast has a centre of excellence.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: For many reasons, it makes sense for the north west to be served by a cross-Border unit, for which we have indicated our support. The centres were not chosen by me. The hospital in my constituency is not a centre of excellence. The centres were chosen by the best medical and clinical experts we could assemble both at home and abroad.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: To answer Deputy Ó Caoláin's question, there is no plan or discussion about changing the structure of the HSE. I do not go around my Department and ask every official whether they spoke to a journalist. I have the height of regard for the journalist in question, Dr. Muiris Houston. There is no plan at management or political level to return to the old health board system with 273 people...

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: I will answer when I have the opportunity.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Deputy O'Sullivan asked a number of questions. I understand the system for dealing with letters in my office has been in place for a considerable number of years and long preceded my arrival and that of my three or four immediate predecessors. Letters addressed personally to the Minister go to the Minister's office. As I indicated to the joint committee last week, the Department receives...

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: ——on foot of a request from the Midland Health Board in November 2002, subject to conditions such as triple assessment. On the new procedure in place, letters fall into different categories and, as is the case with referral letters from doctors to hospitals, serious safety issues will arise. As Minister for Health and Children, safety must be a priority for me. This is the reason for...

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Yes.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: I will clarify. She received that letter last December, not——

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: There is still no record.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Deputy Shatter's colleagues took us to court.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Deputy Shatter is being very selective. Mr. John Fitzgerald said 21 November.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Deputy Shatter is misrepresenting the facts.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Deputy Shatter is misrepresenting Mr. Fitzgerald's remarks.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Does Deputy Shatter support the plan now?

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: I move: That Dáil Éireann: welcomes the publication of reports into events relating to breast cancer services at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; supports the action being taken by the Minister for Health and Children, and the board and management of the HSE, to ensure that patients' interests come first in the future management of all such reviews and serious adverse incidents;...

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: Deputy Flanagan may remember that in that era it was a matter for Comhairle na nOspidéal, which was dominated by consultants, to proceed with the appointment of clinicians. The jobs were advertised in 2004.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: It became impossible to get anyone with specialist breast radiology skills.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: A radiologist was appointed in 2005. That doctor did not have a specialist interest in breast treatment and when the appointment of such a person was sought it was impossible. These clinicians are scarce globally. It is extraordinarily difficult to get clinicians with specialist expertise.

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Mary Harney: It is particularly difficult to get them in hospitals with small volumes of activity. In 2005 and 2006 the volume of activity in Portlaoise was very low, as it is in many other hospitals.