COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2007
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Miss Michelle O’Neill MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
In Attendance: Mr Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Mark McQuade (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.45pm in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2.55pm Dr Deeny joined the meeting
2. Chairman’s Business
Members noted that a documentary being made for the BBC would be following the work of the committee over the next few months.
The Chairperson reported that a meeting had taken place earlier today with Mrs Charlotte Caldwell regarding the treatment of her son Billy Caldwell. Members Agreed to write to the Minister for an explanation.
Members Agreed to invite the Minister to meet the Committee at the earliest opportunity to discuss a number of Departmental issues.
Members noted that a meeting had taken place earlier today with members of Disability action and IMTAC who had made a number of points regarding hospital parking. A record of the meeting would be circulated in due course.
The Chairperson advised Members that she had grave concerns about the recent revelation that more than 30 cancer patients awaiting chemotherapy treatment have been turned away from the Belfast City Hospital. The Chairperson has written to the Minister and has requested a meeting with the Trust’s Chief Executive. Members will be notified when this meeting is arranged and invited to attend.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 July 2007
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Members noted a summary of key points arising from the lunchtime meeting with the “Hospital Campaign for the Rural West” held on 5 July 2007 and that response from the Minister is still awaited on this issue.
Members noted the correspondence dated 15 August 2007 received from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in relation to the services provided for children at Forster Green Hospital in response to a previous letter from Mr Ramsey that expressed concerns about the quality for food in the hospital. Members noted that the Trust has offered to meet Mr Ramsay to discuss his concerns and a copy of the Trust letter was forwarded to Mr Ramsey.
Members noted correspondence dated 15 August from the Minister on issues relating to suicide which arose at the last committee meeting following an evidence session with Dr Miller, Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry, and a group representing families bereaved through suicide.
3.35pm Mr McCallister left the meeting
5. Bill Office Briefing on the Legislative Process
Members were briefed by Mr Kevin Shiels from the Bill Office on legislative procedure.
The Chairperson thanked the Mr Shiels for attending.
6. Committee Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
The following witnesses attended:
Christine Jendoubi - Director of Primary and Community Care
John Farrell - Assistant Director, Primary and Community Care
Robert Kirkwood - Departmental Bill Team
Donncha O’Carolan - Acting Chief Dental Officer
The Chairperson referred the members to a clause by clause briefing paper provided by the Department explaining the purpose of each clause, along with a copy of responses received from relevant bodies, which issued on 29/8/07 and the Clerks briefing paper and suggested questions.
Clause 1 (Persons performing primary medical services: listing subject to conditions.)
Question, That the Committee is content with clause 1 as drafted, put and agreed to.
4.18pm Dr Deeny left the meeting
Clause 2 (Provision of Dental Services)
Question, That the Committee is content with clause 2 as drafted, put and agreed to.
4.22pm Dr Deeny rejoined the meeting
The Committee agreed to continue consideration of Bill at its next meeting.
4.48pm The Committee adjourned.
5.01pm The Committee re-convened.
7. Departmental Briefing on Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Nigel Carson - Director of Equality and Public Safety
Colin McMinn - Public Safety Unit
The Chairperson referred Members to the written brief provided by the Department and the paper prepared by Assembly research staff.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
5.15pm Mr Gallagher left the meeting
8. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases.
Members noted a letter from Dr Jamison regarding the Appleby review and Agreed to ask Research and Library Services to prepare a short paper for the Committee on the procedure for commissioning primary research.
Members noted a further letter from Dr McDonnell about the Neurorehabilitation Unit at Forster Green Hospital and welcomed the resolution of this issue.
Members noted the volume of letters received from individuals and organisations requesting lunchtime meetings with the committee and Agreed to ask Staff to examine how these can be accommodated.
Members noted a letter from the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in Westminster asking for a meeting with the Committee on the issue of healthcare in prisons.
9. Any other business
Members discussed and Agreed the forward work programme which includes a visit to The Southern Health and Social Care Trust in Craigavon on Thursday 20 September 2007.
10. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 13 September 2007 at 2.30pm in the room 135, Parliament Buildings preceded by a lunchtime meeting with Autism NI (PAPA) in the Members Private Dining Room
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.50pm.