Results 14,641-14,660 of 45,539 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As the provision of specific services in the acute hospital setting are an operational matter for the HSE I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the issue of purchasing an upright MRI scanner here. In relation to accessing upright MRI facilities it is noted that patients often access services in other EU/EEA member states under different routes. The Treatment Abroad Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (8 Oct 2019)

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: Hospital Appointments Status (8 Oct 2019)

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: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Oct 2019)

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: Cancer Screening Programmes (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE has recently completed a report which provides a breakdown of the laboratories in which the smear tests of the 221 women involved in the CervicalCheck audit were analysed. This is information that has been requested, by the women and families involved and by members of the Dáil, over recent months. This report has now been shared with the 221+ Patient Support Group and with the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmaceutical Sector (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no specific budget allocated to pharmacists, however, as contractors, pharmacists are paid a fee to dispense medication under a number of community schemes. In 2018, community pharmacy contractors were paid in the region of €400m in fee payments under these schemes. I value the role pharmacists play in the Irish health service. As you are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Access (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As the provision of specific services in the acute hospital setting are an operational matter for the HSE I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the issue of obtaining a test for malignant hyperthermia. In relation to accessing this test it is noted that patients often access services in other EU/EEA member states under different routes. The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing infection by seasonal influenza viruses and can reduce severe disease that can lead to hospitalisation and death. As this question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I have been advised that the Saolta Healthcare Group intend to review the safety and quality of gynaecology services in Letterkenny General Hospital. I understand that the Review Group, which will be established, will be led by an independent chairperson. The terms of reference and membership of the Review Group will be decided in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: In relation to the Deputy's request, I would note that much of this material has been previously supplied to the Joint Oireachtas Committee and Public Accounts Committee. The Deputy may also wish to note that the 2018 and 2019 (up to July) NPHDB minutes are available on the NPHDB's website. However, I have asked the NPHDB to forward their minutes to the Deputy. I have also requested the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the HSE that while there is no national recruitment embargo or moratorium, there is a priority requirement for all HSE services to maintain, or get to, an affordable staffing level that is sustainable in 2019 and 2020, while also prioritising the delivery of safe services. In light of this, the HSE advise that they have introduced control measures relating to staffing and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists (8 Oct 2019)

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: Newborn Screening Cards (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 289 together. Currently all newborn babies (between 3 and 5 days old) are offered newborn bloodspot screening (generally known as the ‘heel prick’) through their parents/guardians for eight very rare conditions that are treatable if detected early in life. A National Screening Committee is being established and will hold its...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Funding (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Awareness (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: Lissencephaly is one of the approximately 8,000 rare diseases affecting millions of EU citizens. A Rare Disease Day takes place every year with the aim of raising awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about all rare diseases and their impact on patient’s lives. This annual event is scheduled to take place again on 29th February 2020. 1 in 15 people will live with a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Funding (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2020 which is currently underway. Following completion of this process, the National Service Plan for the HSE will set out the type and volume of services to be provided for the level of funding available. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 285 together. As the queries raised by the Deputy relate to an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Response Times (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 to 284, inclusive, together. The National Neonatal Transport Programme operates within the Critical Care Retrieval Service which is part of the National Ambulance Service. As the queries raised by the Deputy relate to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Psychological Services (8 Oct 2019)

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: Medical Card Eligibility (8 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the HSE's Expert Group on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility examined the issue of awarding medical cards on the basis of illness and concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. The Expert Group also concluded that a person’s means should remain the...