Results 12,441-12,460 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: It is accurate.
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I wish to be really clear because the Deputy and I may be at cross purposes and we may both be right. On 31 March-----
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: ----the NPHET minutes show - these are all published - that HIQA was asked by NPHET to risk assess all nursing homes.
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct. It is a long-known fact - indeed, the Sláintecare plan speaks very much to this - that there is a lack of integration between our nursing homes, be they public or private, and the HSE in general. I am not sure GPs and others would fully accept the view that there is no clinical involvement or governance, but I do think it is a shortcoming in relation to the...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: -----and the Department. I asked only today for that correlation to be considered. We thought in the same way in that regard. The question the Deputy put to me as to whether there are any other concerns makes me believe he has an answer which I am not aware of. He will need to be clearer on this question to me because I do not quite understand it. I would welcome clarity in that regard....
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I am open to the idea of having a conversation with regard to private hospitals that are available to provide capacity. My current priority, however, is providing for the needs of the HSE with regard to capacity. We should be clear that we will need that capacity beyond the end of June. That is my very strong view. With regard to cancer screening, I met representatives of the national...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: Has the letter not been published?
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I will certainly publish the letter. It will probably be for the next Government to make-----
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I am happy to publish any relevant documentation but, at this stage, it will be a matter for the next Government to decide whether those tests have been met.
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I join the Deputies in wishing Dr Gerry Burke well on his retirement. He is a very dedicated public servant and clinician. In relation to the letter, I think — I say “think” because I read a lot of documents — I read it for the first time today. If the Deputy does not mind, let me explain the issue here.
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: Absolutely, I will allow time for all the questions. What I wish to say in this regard is important. I would like these documents to be shared with the Covid committee. I am aware the Deputy asked for the documents concerning Nursing Homes Ireland and the Department. I would have thought it important for the Deputy to have the documents involving the Department and HIQA also. That is...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I will try to get through these questions. First, I had a meeting with the Disability Action Coalition, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers in respect of a number of the issues that the Deputy has raised regarding disability funding. There are three elements to it. First, there is the 1% efficiency cut, saving or whatever one...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I pay tribute to the staff in UHL, led by chief executive, Ms Colette Cowan, and clinical director, Dr. Gerry Burke, for the excellent work they do. It is a hospital, and a hospital group, that does not have adequate capacity relative to the size of the population, which will not come as news to anybody. I do not want to use up all the...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: Yes, we need to staff the beds so we can fully-----
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: Absolutely. Those beds are specifically being provided as part of our ongoing response to Covid and non-Covid care. There will be 98 potential extra beds plus the 24 in Croom, which is much-needed extra bed capacity in the mid-west.
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: First, I am very pleased that Deputy Feighan is okay. One cannot keep a good man down. I am pleased he is well and that he had a good experience in our health service. I join him in paying tribute to the staff in Sligo University Hospital, and the paramedics as well. I had the pleasure of visiting Sligo University Hospital some time last year. There are exciting plans in place in terms...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Colm Burke for raising this issue and for keeping in touch with me on these issues, particularly those in Cork. The Deputy is correct that at a point in time we had to make sure we had access to every possible hospital bed in every possible setting for a wave or a surge which, thankfully, did not come in the way that it could have. That is thanks to the incredible efforts...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: I found myself smiling because this must be the most famous 60-bed block in the country because it is raised so often and talked about so much in the House. I visited it quite a while ago. I am delighted to see it is progressing and nearing completion.
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: Exactly, and 24 in Croom. The short answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes". We will need all of the additional capacity we can get. I will give the Deputy a commitment that it is the intention of my Department to ensure those beds are fully funded and can open as quickly as possible. Of the 48, 24 are due to be ready to be opened in June and the other 24 in July. I will look into the...
- Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)
Simon Harris: On the contract cleaners, and taking the point made by the Deputy, I join with him in sharing the view that cleaners have been on the front line and they have been keeping us all safe. I too would like to see that agreement honoured. On the Bon Secours Hospital Limerick, they are the figures I gave to Deputy O'Reilly. The updated figures I have today show 30% of inpatient beds now being...