Results 11,681-11,700 of 45,563 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services to medical card and GP visit card holders. The GMS contract stipulates that GPs must make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for urgent cases outside normal practice hours. Most GPs choose to participate in GP out of hours cooperatives to meet this contractual obligation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I have sought a specific report from the HSE in relation to this matter. This will set out the circumstances under which results were not communicated to individual workers in affected meat plants and in long term residential care facilities, and the actions that are being taken to ensure that communication of the results of individual COVID-19 tests is directly to the individual.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Data (27 May 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: On 5 May 2020, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) agreed that its recommendation of 27 March to pause all non-essential health services should be replaced with a recommendation that delivery of acute care be determined by appropriate clinical and operational decision-making. Application of the essential risk mitigating steps set out in the guidance developed under the NPHET...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: My priority with Covid-19 is to keep as many people in this country alive as possible. Through the incredible efforts of the Irish people, we have saved an awful lot of lives. My ongoing priority is to manage the virus to a point that we do not see a second wave and that we continue to see the virus suppressed while we try to live alongside it. That will be a difficult and delicate...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I am open to correction but I believe the risk assessment was done by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. I did not carry it out but I hope the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission will make it available to Members if it has not already done so. The point the Deputy made about deaths because of but not of Covid-19 is a serious and accurate one. This will be a major challenge for all...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: We will not have the nursing home debate because we do not agree on that and it would take up time. We will get to debate it one day. There is vacant capacity in the private hospitals but, to be clear, we do not want to get the capacity in our health service to 100%-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Let me agree with the Deputy on this point. I want us to see greater utilisation of that capacity but, as Dr. Colm Henry of the HSE has said, we have to do it in a safe manner. Even in the case of surgeries the Deputy talks about wanting to be recommenced, it is not just a matter of flicking a switch. We will have to look at how we can provide it safely and how we can bring people back...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I will have to find out from Saolta why it decided to move patients. Presumably, it was a clinically appropriate decision to do that but I will check that out. A review at the end of May is built in to the agreement and I am very open to the idea of looking at how we can use the hospital. I will write to the Deputy on the matter.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I know why the Deputy makes that point but I certainly would not be in any way flippant in respect of this. The decision to suspend cancer screening was taken by clinicians on public health grounds. I do not have responsibility for McDonald's but I do have responsibility for the safety of people in our health service, of its staff and of the women and men of Ireland who use it. The...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The first thing we do when sourcing any equipment is to try to source it from wherever we can. I am very pleased that we were able to secure some international supply chains to get access to personal protective equipment and so on. The Deputy's general point is on the importance of trying to support indigenous industry. This issue has been raised by a number of Deputies in the House. I...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for highlighting this issue. My Department provides public health advice and other line Departments interact. I will certainly bring the issue raised to the attention of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and ask that his Department respond directly to the Deputy.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I believe they have but truthfully I would need to-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I will confirm that in writing so as not to mislead the Deputy.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I believe we now have enough laboratories on board to deliver 100,000 tests per week. There are 41 laboratories being used across the country, mainly hospital laboratories, as well as some academic laboratories and private laboratories. I will get a breakdown of those for the Deputy.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Yes, I will.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I understand.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I join with the Deputy in paying tribute to healthcare workers across the country. The point he makes is a very interesting one, that they have been at work when many of us have been staying at home, and the Deputy raises their concern in respect of their children and their children's education. The Deputy will understand that it is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I do not have the information to hand but from my memory, I understand that there was a pain consultant working within Children's Health Ireland, I think in Crumlin, who left the position for a variety of reasons. I wish the consultant well and understand this person was very highly regarded by patients and families who are really...