COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY,
1 May
2008
Knockbracken Hall, Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Alister Strain (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.34 p.m. in public session.
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Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
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Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson thanked Dr Lynch for arranging the committee’s meeting with mothers suffering from Perinatel Depression. The Committee agreed to visit a mother and baby unit in Glasgow.
The Chairperson thanked the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust for hosting the Committee visit to the Ambulance Service Headquarters.
The chairperson thanked the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust for providing the use of Knockbracken Hall to hold the Committee meeting.
Members agreed a press release about the Committee visit to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust.
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Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 24 April 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2008 were agreed.
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Matters arising
Members noted a response from the Minister about the funding for Cloona Child Contact Centre.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about issues raised by the Northern Ireland Transplant Association.
Members noted a response from the Minister about the implementation of Agenda for Change and agreed to copy this to Southern Health & Social Care staff that had raised the issues. The Committee expressed concern that some staff may have to refund overpayments and agreed to write to the Minister about this. Members agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson should seek a meeting with the Minister of Finance & Personnel to discuss these issues.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by Clare Stevenson. Members agreed to copy the response to Ms Stevenson.
Members noted a response from the Minister about the effectiveness of antidepressants.
The Committee noted a response from the Minster to a request by the Committee to make unannounced visits to Health & Social Care Facilities. Members agreed to write to the Minster about this.
Members noted a response from the Minster to issues raised by the Beechgrove Glencregagh Residents Association and agreed to copy this to the Residents Association.
Members noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by the Committee about Medical Negligence Claims, the safety of Vioxx, Discharge of patients from Muckamore Abbey, Investing for Health and tackling health inequalities.
The Committee noted the key points of meetings held with Health related Groups on 21 April and agreed to follow up issues raised.
Members noted the key points of the Committee’s informal meeting with the Royal college of Nursing.
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Evidence session on the report of the Inquiry into the Deaths of Madeleine and Lauren O’Neill.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Dominic Burke Acting Chief Executive, Western Health & Social Services Board
Paula Kilbane Chief Executive, Eastern Health & Social Services Board
Mr Hugh Connor Director of Social Services, Eastern Health & Social Services Board
Mr Michael Gormley Head of Consumer Services, Western Health & Social Services BoardA question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.07 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
3.09 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
4.00 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan left the meeting.
4.05p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan rejoined the meeting.
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Evidence session with the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Cathy McKillop Interim Regional Manager
Alan Moneypenny Fundraiser
Marie McGonnell Specialist AdviserA question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.38 p.m. Ms Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting.
4.39 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
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Statutory Rule. SR 2008/163 Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Members were briefed on SR 2008/163: The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 by Moira McCarthy and Phil McCusker, Superannuation Branch, Human Resources Directorate, DHSSPS.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/163: The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
4.39 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.40 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
4.42 p.m. Ms Carál Ní Chuilín rejoined the meeting.
4.44 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
4.44 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna left the meeting.
4.44 p.m. the Committee adjourned.
4.50 p.m. the Committee resumed in closed session.
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Consideration of draft Report on the Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm .
The Committee considered the Draft report on the Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm paragraph by paragraph. The Committee agreed the main body of the report:
Paragraphs 1 – 3, read and agreed
Paragraphs 4 – 13, read and agreed
Paragraphs 14 - 22, read and agreed
Paragraphs 23 – 56, read and agreed
Paragraphs 57 - 96, read and agreed
Paragraphs 97 – 128, read and agreed
Paragraphs 129 – 133, read and agreed
Paragraphs 134 – 151, read and agreed
Paragraphs 152 – 157, read and agreedThe Committee agreed the Executive Summary
The Committee agreed the Summary of recommendations
The Committee agreed that Appendix 1 to 5 be included in the report.
The Committee agreed that an extract of today’s Minutes of Proceedings should be included in Appendix 1 of the report and were content that the Chairperson agrees the minutes relating to this to allow them to be included in the printed report.
The Committee agreed that a printed copy of the report be sent to each of the witnesses who gave oral evidence and those organisations who made written submissions to the inquiry
The Committee ordered the Report on the Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm to be printed.
5.06 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
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Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a copy of a letter from the Western Health and Social Services Council to Mr David McNarry MLA expressing the Council’s support for a Private Members Bill.
Members noted a letter from the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland forwarding a copy of a summary report commissioned by Partners in Autism Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a copy of a letter from Love for Life to Ms Amanda Patterson, Criminal Justice Delivery Division about ‘The Sexual Offences Order: Implications for Children – Implementation and Guidance’.
Members noted a copy of a letter from Love for Life to Dr Brian Gaffney, Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland about the Health Promotion Agency’s approach to sexual health.
The Committee noted correspondence from Loughview Surgery, Kircubbin about the New GMS Contract and agreed to forward this to the Minister for a response.
Members noted correspondence from Caroline Calvert about the Pay Review Body and agreed to forward this to the Minister for a response.
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Any other business
The Committee deferred discussion on attendance at all party groups.
Members agreed to write to the Minister about the recommendations from the report ‘ Independence and well-being in sight’ prepared by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in Northern Ireland.
The Committee expressed concern that issues surrounding post mortem injuries sustained by Maureen McGinley were not being addressed by the Minister and agreed that a draft motion would be discussed at the next Committee meeting.
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Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 15 May 2008 at 2.30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings and will be preceded by an informal meeting with the Mental Health & Disability Alliance in room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.15 p.m.
Signed: ______________________________
Chairperson
Date: ________________________________