Results 11,441-11,460 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 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, particularly in the context of the care of the dying. A guidance document on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Transport (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Childcare Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: In circumstances where a person is not a  public health service employee, the Minister for Health has no role with regards to the matters outlined.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Public Health Emergency Team (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 was established on 27th January 2020 in the Department of Health and is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer. The NPHET’s membership is multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral in line with best international practice. Membership comprises representatives from across the health and social care service including the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The scope of the winter influenza vaccination programme which is planned for this year arises on foot of a report prepared by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.  That report recommended the use of a Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) delivered via nasal drops for children aged from 2 years.  Use of this vaccine has a number of advantages over the intramuscular...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: A major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Maintaining scheduled care access for all patients is a key priority for hospitals. I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures.  In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 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: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: It is not currently the intention that the HSE will engage in the large-scale procurement or distribution of face coverings, although this will be kept under review and may change in line with public health advice. Wearing a cloth face covering is recommended in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing, for example in shops or busy public transport.  Such face...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The development of Primary Care Centres (PCCs) is an important building block in enabling the vision of Sláintecare to become a reality.   There are clearly recognised benefits in bringing healthcare professionals together to operate as a multi-disciplinary team, while the centres can also serve as a focal point for local health services and other community initiatives. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: A major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Organ Transplant Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: Transplantation remains the only available treatment for heart, lung and liver end stage failure.  It is the most cost-effective treatment for end-stage kidney disease, and it brings enormous clinical and social benefits to patients who would otherwise remain on dialysis. The number of deceased donors has remained relatively static over the last decade and world wide the most significant...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital.  I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 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...