COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 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 John McAllister MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Mark McQuade (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Tommy Gallaher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.35 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson reported that she had recently returned from the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership visit in Washington and that it had been extremely successful. She stated that the there had been an historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Autism Caucus of all the main parties the Assembly and the Autism Caucus in the US Congress, which commits both sides to working together in dealing with the issue of autism.
There had been an opportunity to meet with Congressmen Chris Smith, Mike Doyle, Ritchie Neal and Carolyn McCarthy who are all members of the Autism Caucus and also Senator Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff. There had been a briefing on the Combating Autism Act 2006 which was sponsored by Senator Clinton, and aims to raise awareness of the issue and provide vital funding for research. The delegation was also briefed on legislation on autism sponsored by Congressmen Smith and Doyle.
The Chairperson paid tribute to all who took part in the delegation and thanked Autism NI and it’s Chief Executive, Arlene Cassidy for her drive and determination in bringing the event together. She also thanked Tim Losty and his colleagues in the NI Bureau for all their efforts in arranging the various meetings in the US Congress.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 September 2007
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 20 September were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Members agreed that the Food Standards Agency proceeds to prepare the relevant Statutory Rules for the Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Members raised the issue that there was currently no requirement for restaurants to issue food allergen warnings on menus or in the preparation of food. This was an issue which also has cross border implications. Members agreed that the Food Standards Agency should be asked to provide clarification and state if there are any future plans to incorporate this into existing legislation.
2.49 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
5. Briefing Session with Dementia Services Development Centre and the Alzheimer’s Society
Members were briefed by the following witnesses:
Professor June Andrews, Director Dementia Services Development Centre, Stirling University
Ms Maria McManus, Associate Director for Northern Ireland
Ms Claire Keatinge, Director Alzheimer’s Society in Northern Ireland
Mr William Hogg, a carer
Ms Siobhan Donaghy, Dementia Forum Representative
Dr Brid Kerrigan, Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.15 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.
3.17 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny returned to the meeting.
Members agreed that the issues highlighted by both groups regarding the availability of drugs for Alzheimer’s patients in light of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, should be raised with the Minister when he attends the Committee meeting on 4 October 2007.
3.40 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.55 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey returned to the meeting.
6. Draft Criminal Justice Bill
Members were briefed by Mr David Bingham, Director of Human Resources
and Mr David Best, Human Resource Directorate, DHSSPS.
Members agreed to support the inclusion of provision which would make it an
offence to create a nuisance or disturbance on health service premises and
would give power for certain health service employees to remove the person
creating the nuisance or disturbance.
Members agreed to write to the Minister supporting the legislation but urging him to bring forward more comprehensive legislation as soon as possible to provide protection for all health service staff irrespective of where they worked.
7. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases
Members accepted an invitation to visit the Northern Ireland Hospice and hold a future committee meeting in their premises.
Members agreed that the Myasthenia Gravis Association and Love for Life should be added to the list for future lunchtime meetings.
8. Any other business
Members agreed to raise the following additional issues with the Minister when he attends the Committee meeting on the 4 October 2007:
- The availability of drugs for Alzheimer’s patients;
- Investing for Health, Agenda for change;
- The ongoing uncertainty over RPA health structures;
- Healthcare required infections.
Members expressed concern that recent action by the Minister on a number of issues, including his decision to visit Scotland in relation to suicide, the meeting with Mrs Caldwell, and the review of autism, were seen as duplication and undermining the work of the Committee. Members agreed to raise this with the Minister.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.41 pm.
Signed:
Chairperson
Date: