Results 17,441-17,460 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: A central objective of the Programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated health care with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a “home first” approach.   Primary Care Centres play an essential role in the delivery of that objective and significant progress has been made in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: An independent radiation therapist review has been agreed between the HSE, Department of Health and SIPTU, under the auspices of the WRC.  Cancer cases are increasing in line with our ageing and growing population.  The National Cancer Control Programme estimates that up to 60% of patients will require radiation oncology for primary treatment and palliative care in coming years....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations play in our health sector, particularly in providing services to people with disabilities and older people. In 2019, a data-gathering exercise was conducted among 50 pilot Section 39 organisations, based on a WRC agreement. This informed a process of pay restoration for 300 of the largest Section 39...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am very aware that Long COVID is having a devastating effect on people. Clinical evidence currently suggests that longer-term effects of COVID19 are felt mostly by adults. The Interim Model of Care being implemented by the HSE aims to ensure a national service to support those needing care. €2.2m was allocated this year and within Estimates 2023, additional funding has been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The annual Capital Plan outlines the health capital projects which are being progressed across the country. I am happy to confirm that capital funding allocated in 2023 for the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities is €1.017 billion, an increase of 11% over 2022. There are typically over 300 projects included in the capital plan each year across the country and across the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 331 together. As the Deputy will be aware, in December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. We are developing additional capacity which will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: A number of surveys have been undertaken in relation to NCHDs training and working experiences, including the Medical Council's annual survey "Your Training Counts", surveys by the postgraduate training bodies and independent researchers. Others include the RCPI Post Evaluation Survey and Irish Association for Emergency Medicine’s Survey. The Government is committed to a root and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The HSE has advised me that there have been occasions recently where staffing issues have resulted in the temporary closure of Injury Units in Nenagh, Ennis and St John’s hospitals.  The closures, including on the day in question, related mainly to NCHD resources and to COVID-19 issues, though services can also be affected by deficits in nursing and allied health staffing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: In December 2021, the Government agreed a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged and ensure greater capacity in the future. It will also help to address waiting lists on a national level through the provision of dedicated, standalone facilities in Cork,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the body responsible for education and training in general practice. It is recognised by the Medical Council for the accreditation of specialist training in general practice in Ireland. In 2021, responsibility for GP training transferred from the HSE to the ICGP. The ICGP has made and will continue to make a vital contribution to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Counsellors and psychotherapists are among a list of professions that CORU’s website confirms are soon to be regulated. The link below confirms this. coru.ie/about-us/what-is-coru/ In February 2019 the then Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, confirmed the establishment of, and appointment of members to, the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board, under the Health and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Thank you, Deputy. Building ventilation has remained an important component of our broader infection prevention and control response over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, both at population and sectoral levels. It should also be noted that the most effective way to reduce the impact of this disease is for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate until 48 hours...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputy for his question. Considerable progress has been made on Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for the New Children’s Hospital, for Community Based Care and other healthcare settings. Following an open procurement process and Government decision, Children’s Hospital Ireland have signed contracts with EPIC for the provision of an EHR System for the New...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 119 and 123 together. Kaftrio has been a life changing drug for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, and I want to see it made available to everyone who needs it. The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population. It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, or the introduction of new programmes, such as screening for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: An independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been agreed under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have been committed to ensuring sufficient staffing levels to meet both COVID-related and long-term healthcare demand. There are 15,177 more whole-time equivalents working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020. This includes 4,500 nurses and midwives; 2,300 health and social care professionals; and 1,400 doctors and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government, as provided for in the Programme for Government, is committed to introducing the Sláintecare public-only consultant contract in a timely manner. The Department of Health along with the HSE has engaged with the Consultant’s representative bodies, the IMO and IHCA, through an intensive negotiation process on the new contract. The contract will not permit holders...