COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 24 MAY 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA (In the Chair)
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance: Mr Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Vicky Surplus (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Mark McQuade (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Scott Leeman (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr John McCallister MLA
Miss Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.32pm in closed session – the Clerk in the Chair.
1. Nomination of Acting Chairperson
As an apology had been received from the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, the Clerk called for nominations for a Chairperson to Chair the meeting. Mr Gallagher proposed that: Rev Robert Coulter act as Chairperson for this meeting. Mr Thomas Buchanan seconded this and the nomination was accepted.
On there being no further nominations the Clerk put the question without debate.
Resolved, that Rev Coulter, being the only Member proposed, act as Chairperson for this meeting.
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
3. Public Access to Committee Meetings
Members noted the new arrangements to set aside seating for the press in the Committee room. The Committee also agreed to use the Senate Chamber, when available, for future meetings.
4. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2007
The draft minutes were agreed subject to agreement that the issue of attendance at informal meetings with the Minister be further discussed at a future meeting.
It was further agreed that the declaration of interests, as recorded, was an accurate record of the interests declared by Members at the last meeting.
5. Matters arising
Declaration of Interests – The following relevant interests were declared: -
Rev Robert Coulter –
- Director, Dunfane Special School.
- Member of Ballymena Shop Mobility Association
Mrs Carmel Hanna –
- ‘Friend’ of Cause Mental Health Care Group.
Health Related Groups – Members noted that the Northern Ireland Association of Mental Health be invited to a lunchtime meeting on Thursday, 31 May 2007.
It was further agreed that the Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association be invited to a lunchtime meeting on Thursday, 7 June 2007.
6. Chairman’s Business
There were no items of Chairman’s Business.
Members confirmed the invitation to the Minister to brief the Committee on Thursday 31 May 2007 on the challenges facing the Department and his initial priorities.
7. Evidence session on the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (Northern Ireland)
Members noted the Briefing Paper from the Bamford Review Team and the Background Paper from Assembly Research.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses.
Professor Roy McClelland, Chairperson, Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (Northern Ireland)
Professor Roy McConkey, Professor of Learning Disability, University of Ulster
Ms Marie Crossin, Chief Executive, CAUSE for Mental Health
3.18pm – Dr Deeny left the meeting
3.22pm – Dr Deeny returned to the meeting
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.42pm – the meeting adjourned
3.48pm – the meeting resumed
8. Evidence session on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
Members noted the Briefing Paper from the Department.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses.
Ms Christine Jendoubi, Director of Primary and Community Care
Mr John Farrell, Assistant Director, Primary and Community Care
Mr Donncha O’Carolan, Acting Chief Dental Officer
Mr Robert Kirkwood, Deputy Principal, General Medical Services
4.22pm – Mr Gallagher left the meeting
4.26pm – Mr Gallagher returned to the meeting
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
9. Forward Work Programme
It was agreed to defer further consideration of the long-term Work Programme until the Chairperson was available.
10. Correspondence
Members noted the letter from UNISON and agreed that they should be invited to attend an informal meeting.
The Committee agreed that they would like to have officials from the Department to brief the Committee on PFI issues.
11. Any other business
Members noted the Public Accounts Committee’s Forward Work Programme, particularly the evidence session in relation to ‘Outpatients: Missed Appointments and Cancelled Clinics’ to take place on 28 June 2007.
A Member asked for a breakdown of the Department’s current budget.
Members agreed that the Northern Ireland Fire Services should have the opportunity to brief the Committee on the implications of the Review of Public Administration.
Members also discuss the failure to appoint a Director of Mental Health and Learning Disability and agreed to raise this issue with the Minister next week.
12. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 31 May 2007 at 2.30pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.45pm