Results 11,761-11,780 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Access (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I have no plans at present to introduce a scheme such as the Deputy describes. However, these matters are kept under review in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (20 May 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, the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: A robust process of testing, isolation and contact tracing is central to Ireland’s public health strategy for containing and slowing the spread of COVID-19, as advocated by the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Control. A testing and tracing process with sufficient capacity and quick turnaround is one of a number of core criteria in determining when it is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.  The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the  product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy. My Department does not provide information about individual activations or about individual cases of Covid-19 for reasons of patient confidentiality.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: NPHET has considered issues in relation to overseas travel, informed by World Health Organisation and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidance, approaches and learning from other countries, and reports of importation of cases in a number of countries following relaxation of restrictions. As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: My Department is aware of the issue raised by the Deputy where a prescribed dosage requiring different medication strengths results in separate prescription charges and it is are currently under consideration. Engagement with the HSE in regard to a solution is ongoing.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Data (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health and Social Care Professionals (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: One of CORU’s key functions as our Regulator of Health and Social Care Professionals is to assess education courses and provide assurance to the public that graduates of those courses meet the minimum regulatory standards and are safe to practise. Each registration board at CORU has set a minimum hours practice placement requirement for a student to meet the standards of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health and Social Care Professionals (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: One of CORU’s key functions as our Regulator of Health and Social Care Professionals is to assess education courses and provide assurance to the public that graduates of those courses meet the minimum regulatory standards and are safe to practise. Each registration board at CORU has set a minimum hours practice placement requirement for a student to meet the standards of proficiency...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: On 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Screening Programmes (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: In line with public health advice, the National Screening Service’s population-based screening programmes BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen were paused due to the situation with COVID-19.   Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the National Screening Service has monitored the feasibility of restarting the four programmes, and assessing the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The decision to proceed with the NCHD changeover on 13 July this year was taken after detailed consideration and consultation, in particular with the Forum of Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies and clinical sites. It was heavily weighted on the interests of trainees and training, whilst be cognisant of the Public Health advice and patient care. This decision has been communicated by...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: NPHET has considered issues in relation to overseas travel, informed by World Health Organisation and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidance, approaches and learning from other countries, and reports of importation of cases in a number of countries following relaxation of restrictions. As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 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: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The employees of section 38 organisations are classified as public servants and therefore, the employer is obliged to adhere to the salary scales as set out in the Department of Health consolidated salary scales. Section 39 organisations, however, are private sector employers and are therefore not required to adhere to these salary scales.  It is a matter for the individual employer...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (20 May 2020)

Simon Harris: At present real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosing suspected cases of COVID-19. There is no role for using this test as an indication of past infection. It can only detect whether there is active virus present at the time of the test. However serological testing can be used to estimate the level of past exposure and immunity...