Results 11,301-11,320 of 45,563 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Screening Programmes (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: During the COVID-19 crisis, the HSE prioritised the delivery of Opioid Substitution Therapies (OST) so that everybody on the waiting list could commence appropriate treatment. The Executive developed guidance on the commencement and maintenance of treatment and on the safe supply of medicines during COVID-19. This included the delivery of OST to individuals who were in self-isolation or...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Maternity Hospital (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific provisions of the Lease, which has yet to be finalised; however, the position regarding the continuity of maternity care at the site, after the 99 year term of the Lease has expired, has been considered in full.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Screening Programmes (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Memoranda of Understanding (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will know, a Memorandum of Understanding was formally agreed by the Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on Tuesday 7 April. The MOU was entered into on my behalf as Minister for Health and on behalf of the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland to strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: A robust and real-time process of testing, isolation and contact tracing is central to our public health strategy for containing and slowing the spread of COVID-19, as advocated by WHO, EC and ECDC. There is now capacity in place to test 15,000 people a day on a seven day basis. As of midnight Monday 1 June, 348,416 tests have been carried out with an 8% positivity rate overall. The target...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 430 together. Gathering and reporting on demographic details of confirmed cases of COVID-19, such as healthcare worker status, is a complex and technical process involving multiple steps of data collection, processing and analysis. I have agreed with the HSE that such information would be made available on a weekly basis. The HSE Health Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The HSE through the Health Protective Surveillance Centre has developed an extensive body of guidance and support tools to assist in the management of COVID-19 cases, including in relation to nursing homes and homecare. This guidance is reviewed and updated regularly as necessary The current relevant guidelines are the: “Interim Public Health and Infection Prevention Control...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: A robust and real-time process of testing, isolation and contact tracing is central to our public health strategy for containing and slowing the spread of COVID-19, as advocated by the WHO and ECDC. All healthcare workers meeting the current case definition for COVID-19 are referred for testing in line with current testing criteria. There is extensive guidance in place for healthcare workers...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Treatment Services (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Alcohol delivery services are governed by the Intoxicating Liqour Acts and as such are not within the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Screening Programmes (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Measures (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: I would hope to have the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019 Bill restored to the Seanad Order Paper as soon as possible, noting that this will require a resolution of the House.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) for the anti-epileptic medicine Epanutin confirmed a shortage of its Epanutin Infatabs 50mg Chewable Tablets presentation. which contains the active ingredient phenytoin, commencing November 2019. The shortage is due to a manufacturing site change and other changes to the manufacturing process of this particular product and the resulting shortage is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: While visiting restrictions are required in the context of a pandemic situation, national guidance issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and available on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website advocates a compassionate and practical approach in relation to visiting by friends and family. A updated guidance document on Infection Prevention and Control Precautions...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (9 Jun 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: A robust and real-time process of testing, isolation and contact tracing is central to our public health strategy for containing and slowing the spread of COVID-19, as advocated by the WHO and ECDC. I am confident that the HSE is putting in place the measures to further reduce turnaround times and we are seeing continuing improvement. The HSE continues to streamline the process and to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Defibrillators Provision (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.