COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present: Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr John Render (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.13 pm in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Deputy Chairperson reported that an informal lunchtime meeting had taken place earlier today with the National Osteoporosis Society. A note of the meeting will be circulated in due course.
Members noted that a report of the Committee’s visit to the National Assembly for Wales was being prepared for the next Committee meeting along with a draft Committee response to the Department’s consultation on the ASD action plan.
The Committee approved Christmas cards to be issued on behalf of the Committee.
Members noted that the Committee Motion on Hospital Car Parking Charges was due to be debated on Tuesday 2 December.
Members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill would take place on Monday 1 December.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 13 November 2008.
The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the payment of ‘reward’ money and agreed to write to the Minister about the intention of other trusts to review their arrangements.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the Human Papilloma Virus immunisation programme.
The Committee noted a letter from Dr Tony Stevens from the Belfast Trust and agreed to write to Dr Stevens for further information.
The Committee at its meeting on 6 November 2008 had approved the Optical charges and payments (Amendment No.2) Regulations (NI) 2008 subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the rule. The Examiner’s report has now been received and Members noted that the report has drawn attention to drafting defects. The Department has agreed to correct this error.
The Committee noted a summary of the key points from the lunchtime meeting with transplant clinicians.
5. Evidence session with Trade Union Representatives on efficiency savings.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Patricia McKeown Regional Secretary, UNISON
Mary Hinds Director, Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland
Kevin McAdam Regional officer, Unite
Kevin McCabe Regional officer, NIPSA
Tom Sullivan Regional officer, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Breedagh Hughes Secretary, Royal College of Midwives Northern Ireland
A question and answer session ensued. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. The Committee agreed to write to the five trusts about issues raised.
2.43 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
3.13 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.
3.14 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting.
3.26 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.40 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
6. Proposed Statutory Rule: The Charges for Drugs and Appliances (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members were briefed on the proposal to make The Charges for Drugs and Appliances (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 by:
Christine Jendoubi Director, Primary & Community Care, DHSSPS
Olive Smith Primary & Community Care Directorate, DHSSPS
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
7. Statutory Rule. 2008/434: The Health and Personal Social Services (Primary Medical Services Performers Lists) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members were briefed on the Statutory Rule by Robert Kirkwood from the Department for Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/434: The Health and Personal Social Services (Primary Medical Services Performers Lists) (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.
3.56 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
3.56 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.57 p.m. Meeting moved to closed session.
3.59 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
8. Evidence session with Departmental officials about a complaint by Mr and Mrs Bennett.
Members were briefed by:
Jim Livingstone Director of Safety & Quality, DHSSPS
Pat Newe Social Services Officer, DHSSPS
Andrew Browne Safety & Quality Directorate, DHSSPS
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. Following consideration the Committee agreed to write to Mr and Mrs Bennett.
9. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a report by Lee Opticians on visual stress.
Members noted the Public Accounts Committee’s Forward Work Programme for January – April 2009.
The Committee noted a letter from Participation and the Practice of Rights Project and a copy of the First Mental Health Services Progress Report from PIPS.
The Committee agreed to return to this issue when the Executive response to the recommendations of the Committee’s report on the Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm had been received.
Members noted a letter from Environment Link about badger culling.
The Committee noted a letter from Graham Stinson about funding for mental health services and agreed to forward the letter to the Minister for a response to the issues raised.
Members noted letters about services for ME/ CFS sufferers in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a copy of a letter from David Livingstone to the Belfast Trust about the New Direction consultation. Members noted that they would be taking evidence on this issue following Christmas recess.
Members noted the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence’s Annual Review 2007-2008.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Leo McElgunn about proposals to close Drumhaw Residential Home for the elderly in Lisnaskea and agreed to forward this to the Western Trust for a response to the issues raised.
Members noted the Annual Report and Accounts 2007-08 from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.
The Committee noted a letter from the Department about a Consultation Paper about Publicly Funded Fertility Services in Northern Ireland and agreed to invite Departmental officials to brief the Committee following the consultation.
Members noted the Sickness Absence in Northern Ireland Departments (2007-08) Report from Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
The Committee noted Southern Health and Social Services Board Annual Accounts for year ended 31 March 08.
Members noted the ‘Your Health & Care’ – magazine of the Southern Health & Social Services Board.
The Committee noted the Minutes of the Western Health and Social Services Council held on Friday 3 October 2008.
Members noted the Annual Report and Accounts 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 from the Postgraduate Medical Education sand Training Board (PMETB)
The committee noted the Carson McDowell projects update.
The Committee agreed to forward a letter from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to the Minister regarding evidence from the Construction Industry Group.
10. Any other business
The Committee discussed a subject for a Committee inquiry. Dr Deeny suggested front line services as a possible subject. The Committee deferred consideration until the next Committee meeting.
The Committee agreed to host a lunch for consultants from the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital who will be briefing the Committee at its meeting on Thursday 11 December.
Members agreed to invite the Shingles Support Society to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee were briefed by a Bill Office clerk on the Consideration Stage of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill.
11. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 4 December 2008 at 2.00pm in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.40 pm.