Results 16,841-16,860 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I do not have to hand the date of when Dr. Scally found that out.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I will certainly ask that. As the Deputy helpfully pointed out, Dr. Scally will appear before the health committee but I will certainly ask him-----
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I will certainly ask Dr. Scally to provide the Deputy to provide him with that information.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: Yes, I will certainly ask the HSE to do that. For the patient representatives, I asked that the HSE issue a statement in that regard. That was done but the Deputy is asking for a clinical view in that regard-----
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I will certainly ask for that. I do not mind saying the idea of a retrospective accreditation does not sit well with me. It sounds a bit like an oxymoron. Nevertheless, I am satisfied Dr. Scally was clear there was not a safety deficiency.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: On the governance structure, I am not aware of any changes but I will have to ask the director general of the HSE, which I undertake to do. On the audit, my understanding is we will establish, as per Dr. Scally's report, a national screening committee later this year. It will interact with patients to decide how to audit appropriately, as opposed to what happened in this debacle. On...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I would like it to happen and the representatives would like it to happen. I want it to happen in a manner that is acceptable and appropriate to them. I fully apologise as Minister for Health. On the final question, I will certainly ask the HSE to examine breaches of contract.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I do not have access to that contractual information but whatever we pay will be to ensure there is an appropriate safety standard that meets Dr. Scally's standards.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: Yes, I will.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I will seek that answer for the Deputy.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: There is certainly no confusion between me and the Taoiseach. In fact, I welcome the opportunity to give an assurance on the record of the House. Yesterday, a letter of assurance issued from the Chief State Solicitor's office to Ms Morrissey's legal team. While I do not like discussing individuals and do not wish to cause them distress in any way, a legal assurance was given yesterday in a...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I would like to be in a position to give that reassurance, although I cannot currently do so, simply because I do not have the legislation in front of me. We will debate the legislation next week on Second Stage, which will be followed by Committee Stage. I will work with the Deputy to try to provide that assurance. My initial gut reaction is that if the facts or circumstances change, it...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I will take on board the Deputy's comments, examine the legislation and revert to her.
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: This is something I am considering at the moment. I am talking to the patient representatives, namely, Stephen Teap and Lorraine Walsh, about how this matter will be dealt with. We have an independent review of slides available for everybody to avail of through the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists process. The last day for participating in same was 7 June. That is also...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: The implementation of Dr. Scally's recommendations will bring that about. That is not all that needs to be brought in. A quality assurance lead must also be put in place within CervicalCheck. I heard the Fianna Fáil spokesperson, Deputy Donnelly, rightly acknowledge earlier that while in the past our CervicalCheck programme has been a great success in terms of outcomes and the...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I am no spokesperson for the laboratories. They failed to do so, it was entirely inappropriate and I share Dr. Scally's frustration with that situation. Dr. Scally kept me informed throughout the process and I am pleased that he seems to have got to the bottom of matters and established many facts. The idea that people could not or would not co-operate is entirely unacceptable to me, to...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: That is an important point. I am open to correction but from my engagements with Dr. Scally and from my reading of any of Dr. Scally's reports, I do not believe that he has suggested that my Department did not co-operate. I have had conversations with my Secretary General from day 1 about the importance of my Department co-operating in full. The Deputy is correct that at the start of his...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I appreciate that the Deputy is being reasonable. I cannot answer for things that happened, not just before I was Minister for Health, but before I was a Member of this House in 2010. It is a cause of concern and Dr. Scally pointed out that it was a cause of concern that the ratio seemed to change quite significantly. He did not say that the safety of the screening was altered by that. I...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I know the Deputy is aware of this but I want to assure her that when the HSE tried to identify additional capacity for the programme this time around, it searched everywhere, including in Ireland, to see if additional capacity could be found. The Deputy will accept that there is no additional capacity today. The Deputy is correct that there may have been at a point in the past but today...
- Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (19 Jun 2019)
Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to draw up plans on how we can significantly increase the size of the facility in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital. That hospital is carrying out about 10% of our tests today and there is no reason, particularly with the move to HPV testing, that it could not be doing an awful lot more, coupled with investment. I am told, however, and I am awaiting more...