COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallaher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McAllister MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Judith Murdoch (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Mark McQuade (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.35 p.m. in public session
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson advised that as there is a plenary sitting on Thursday 25 October 2007 to take statements on the Programme for Government and the Budget, it has been decided to postpone the visit to the Ulster Hospital and the committee meeting planned for that date.
The Chairperson reported on a meeting with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Tuesday 16 October 2007 on the issue of healthcare in prisons and that a note of the meeting had been tabled. The Committee agreed to raise a number of issues with the Minister about the transfer of responsibility for healthcare is prisons from the NIO to the DHSSPS.
The Chairperson reported that she had a meeting with Professor Roy McClelland, Chair of the Mental Health and Learning Disability Board, at his request. He had stressed the need to ensure funding for Bamford in the forthcoming budget.
The Chairperson reported that an informal lunchtime meeting had taken place earlier today with the Community Development and Health Network. A note of the meeting will issue in due course.
The Chairperson highlighted difficulties in getting an early date for a meeting with the Minister to discuss a number of issues. This has now been arranged for Friday 23 November 2007.
The Chairperson referred to media reports about an £800 million funding deficit in the Health Service. The Committee agreed to consider inviting Trust Chief Executives to a future meeting to discuss this.
The Chairperson reported that during a visit to St George’s Hospital in London she was informed that 21 patients from Northern Ireland are receiving treatment there for eating disorders. Concerns were expressed about the absence of local services for people with eating disorders. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding this issue.
The Chairperson reported that she had been contacted by Autism Northern Ireland about the introduction of an annual “Autism Day”, commencing in April 2008. The Committee have been asked to lend their support with this proposal. The Clerk agreed to make further inquiries regarding this request for support. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department asking for an update on the Middletown Centre for Autism.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 October 2007
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted a summary of key points arising from the lunchtime meeting on 11 October 2007 with Speechmatters.
The Committee noted follow up correspondence from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in relation to the briefing at the previous committee meeting.
5. Evidence session with the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Members took evidence from the following:
Dr Philip McGarry Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Maria O’Kane Chair of NI Faculty of Psychotherapy
Dr Peter Gallagher Chair of NI Child and Adolescent Faculty
Anne Mater Hospital Service User
A questions and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.15 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey, Dr Kieran Deeny and Mrs Carmel Hanna left the meeting.
6. Health and Social Care Bill
Members were briefed by the following:
Ms Joyce Cairns Human Resources Directorate
Dr Norman Morrow Chief Pharmaceutical Officer
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the officials for attending.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department to confirm that they are content with the provisions relating to devolved matters contained in the Health and Social Care Bill.
7. Statutory rule 2007/408: The Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/408.
Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007/408: The Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and has no objection to the Rule.
4.37 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey returned to the meeting.
8. Statutory Rule 2007/419: The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Lid Gaskets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/419.
Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007/419: The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Lid Gaskets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and has no objection to the Rule.
4.42 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny returned to the meeting.
9. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases
The Committee noted the submissions received to date in response to the Inquiry into Suicide and Self Harm.
The Committee noted that the Annual Report 2006/07 from the Northern Health and Social Services Board has been received.
The Committee noted that the Water Service Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07 have been received.
The Committee noted that the September/October 2007 edition of the GMC today has been received.
The Committee noted correspondence from the NSPCC regarding their public education campaign “Be the Full Stop”.
The Committee noted correspondence which has been forwarded to the Minister following a request from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding spending on artwork in healthcare facilities.
10. Any other business
The Committee noted correspondence from the Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss Group in Westminster suggesting the establishment of a linked but independent group in the Assembly. Members supported the proposal and the Chairperson confirmed that she would take this issue forward.
The Committee noted and agreed the programme for the forthcoming visit to Scotland.
The Committee expressed concern regarding the allocation of time for Private Members’ Motions in the Chamber on health or social issues and agreed to write to the Speaker to relay their concerns.
11. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting will take place on 15 November 2007.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.52 p.m.