#Simon Harris
# simon-harris - Monday 19 August, 2019
Building firm caught up in school structural defects controversy wins contract to build new hospital block
A total of 42 schools built by WBS were inspected over concerns about structural problems.
# simon-harris - Monday 12 August, 2019
Poll: Should VAT be removed on condoms and menstrual cups?
The idea is backed by Minister for Health Simon Harris.
Harris wants VAT removed on condoms and menstrual cups
Currently,13.5% VAT applies to condoms, but the minister wants this brought down to 0%.
# simon-harris - Wednesday 7 August, 2019
State apology on the cards after Varadkar and Harris meet CervicalCheck support group
Patient representatives, however, say a full apology is only possible with a full understanding of who’s accountable.
# simon-harris - Tuesday 6 August, 2019
HSE boss says it's 'awful' women weren't told of CervicalCheck results as review finds 4,000+ cases
The review was published this afternoon.
# simon-harris - Monday 29 July, 2019
New legislation to ban sale of e-cigarettes to people under the age of 18
The legislation will be considered by government in September.
# simon-harris - Sunday 28 July, 2019
Almost 1,000 people added to the waiting list for home help hours since March
As of the end of June, 7,217 people are waiting on home support packages in the country.
# simon-harris - Wednesday 24 July, 2019
Rotunda told to rely on 'short-term measures' to keep babies safe amid 'crisis' Exclusive
An outbreak of infection earlier this year saw eight babies affected – with the death of one infant referred to the coroner.
# simon-harris - Tuesday 23 July, 2019
Climate change happening faster than many animals can adapt, study finds
Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris has launched a public consultation on the impact of climate change on the health sector.
# simon-harris - Monday 22 July, 2019
Home help care supports: How many people are waiting in your county?
A total of 6,819 people are waiting for funding for home help hours, but the HSE continues to deny any cuts to the service.
# simon-harris - Friday 19 July, 2019
Simon Harris tells HSE poor coverage of abortion services in west and north west 'is a real concern'
In May, Harris spoke to representatives of the HSE about why abortion services are available in just half of maternity hospitals and units.
# simon-harris - Wednesday 17 July, 2019
Harris says HSE can't continue in its current form and announces return of six regional healthcare areas
Harris described today’s announcement as the biggest restructuring of the HSE in 15 years .
# simon-harris - Tuesday 16 July, 2019
Harris says he wasn't aware of CervicalCheck results IT glitch before 10 July
Meanwhile, the HSE says that 52 of the women who were re-tested were found to have HPV.
Conscientious objection prevents full rollout of abortion services in several maternity hospitals
The Health Department said it will be asking the HSE to fully implement abortion services in all maternity hospitals and units by September.
# simon-harris - Monday 15 July, 2019
DCU president to lead HSE's 'rapid review' into IT glitch that left 800 without smear test results
Simon Harris said he was not made aware of the IT glitch until last Wednesday.
Calls for children's urgent care centre at Connolly hospital to open until midnight
The Department of Health has said the opening hours of the new unit have not yet been finalised.
# simon-harris - Thursday 11 July, 2019
CervicalCheck smear results weren't sent to some women due to IT glitch at US lab
“It is unfortunate that the CervicalCheck programme has been hit with another body blow,” Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly said.
Psychiatric nurses begin overtime ban as Dáil hears they've been propping up services by working extra hours
As of 7am this morning, psychiatric nurses have not been carrying out work beyond their contracted hours.
'What happened in relation to Holles Street was pretty disgusting' - Simon Harris says exclusion zones will be a priority
“We shouldn’t have to change the law to have a basic understanding of decency,” Harris said.
# simon-harris - Wednesday 10 July, 2019
Harris accused of letting abortion protest exclusion zones 'fall off the agenda'
The group that staged a protest outside the National Maternity Hospital with three small white coffins plans to return this Saturday.
# simon-harris - Tuesday 9 July, 2019
Harris announces public consultation on increasing access to contraception
A working group on the matter was established by government earlier this year.
# simon-harris - Monday 8 July, 2019
Benzodiazepine use in Irish over 65s is higher than international average
Benzodiazepine medicine use in women over 65 years is 40% higher than in men, finds a new report.
HPV vaccination rates vary by county from just 40% in Kerry to 74% in parts of Dublin
The substantial variation needs further investigation, the report says.
# simon-harris - Sunday 7 July, 2019
Explainer: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol is on the way, but how exactly does it work?
Cheaper drinks with a high alcohol content will see the biggest price change.
# simon-harris - Thursday 4 July, 2019
New Waterford mortuary would have cost taxpayer €1m less if built 'when it should have been'
Last month the HSE confirmed that funding of €5.7 million has been approved for the development.
# simon-harris - Wednesday 3 July, 2019
Inclusion of chronic pain conditions on cannabis access scheme will be 'kept under review'
Only patients with specific medical conditions can access medicinal cannabis under the new programme.
# simon-harris - Monday 1 July, 2019
Simon Harris calls on TDs to support his motion tackling vaccine 'myths'
Simon Harris has called for cross party support for the motion.
Almost a billion Euro paid out in medical negligence cases since 2014, new figures show
Payouts have totalled €108 million for the first five months of 2019.
# simon-harris - Friday 28 June, 2019
New HSE board meets for the first time
Health Minister Simon Harris announced earlier this year that he would re-establish a board to oversee the HSE.
# simon-harris - Thursday 27 June, 2019
Harris had 'good' meeting with Bord na Móna about it growing Ireland's medicinal cannabis supply
Yesterday, Simon Harris signed the law establishing Ireland’s first medicinal cannabis access scheme,
# simon-harris - Wednesday 26 June, 2019
Access to cannabis for medical reasons is now allowed in Ireland under new law
Simon Harris has today signed legislation to allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme on a pilot basis.
# simon-harris - Tuesday 25 June, 2019
Taoiseach says offer to phase in pay increase for striking health workers was made 'out of good will'
A strike by around 10,000 healthcare support workers is taking place tomorrow.
# simon-harris - Monday 24 June, 2019
Harris says all maternity hospitals 'should be in a position' to offer abortion services after Kilkenny medics letter
Doctors at St Luke’s wrote in a letter that they’d decided the hospital “is not an appropriate location for medical or surgical terminations”.
# simon-harris - Wednesday 19 June, 2019
Simon Harris vows to meet Rotunda chief to discuss new wing to tackle 'safety crisis' for premature babies
An outbreak of infection recently saw eight babies affected – with the death of one infant referred to the coroner.
# simon-harris - Tuesday 18 June, 2019
€20,000 for women affected by CervicalCheck non-disclosure
Payments to women who have already applied through the scheme are expected to be made shortly.
# simon-harris - Sunday 16 June, 2019
Vaginal mesh implants: Women complain of delay in aftercare for severe complications
These surgeries have been suspended until recommendations made by the Chief Medical Officer are implemented.
Simon Harris says he'll look to protect Ruth Morrissey award in any appeal of her court case
The two laboratories involved in the case have said that they would appeal.
# simon-harris - Friday 14 June, 2019
PrEP programme to reduce HIV rates to be rolled out later this year
Rapid testing will be rolled out in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.
# simon-harris - Tuesday 11 June, 2019
Spinraza campaigners 'finally have hope' as HSE approves access to drug for rare disease
The drug has been approved for children with SMA Type I, II or III on “an exceptional and individualised basis”.
# simon-harris - Monday 10 June, 2019
Ban on Botox for under-18s to be considered as companies 'exploit' young people
Minister for Health Simon Harris says there’s “a desire by young men and women to be perfect, driven by social media”.