COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2007
THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallaher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Judith Murdoch (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Mark McQuade (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Mr John McAllister MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.34 pm in public session- Deputy Chairperson in the chair
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Ms Ramsey reported that a meeting had taken place earlier today with Speechmatters, who had voiced concern that there was no recurrent funding in place in the Northern Health and Social Services Board. This has resulted in people with aphasia having no guarantee of the specialist service required.
Ms Ramsey added whilst Speechmatters welcomed the development of the Northern Ireland Stroke Strategy, they had explained that it was vital that consultation takes into account the latest evidence and thinking on stroke services. A note of the meeting will be circulated in due course. The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek clarification on these issues.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 October 2007
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted that a letter had been forwarded to the Minster concerning issues raised by Carers Northern Ireland at the meeting on
4 October 2007.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister regarding the recent appointment of Lord Maginnis as Chair of the Independent Review of Autism.
The Committee note the response from the Minister to issues raised following an evidence session with the Departmental official’s on14 June 2007 in relation to PFI/PPP.
5. Amendment to the Children (NI) Order
The Minister briefed the Committee on the requirement to make an urgent amendment to the Children (NI) Order 1995 arising from a judicial review. The Committee are content that the Minister brings forward the proposed urgent Bill using accelerated passage.
6. Health and Social Care Bill
The Committee noted that Departmental officials were unable to attend to brief the Committee on the Health and Social Care Bill. This issue was deferred until the meeting on 18 October 2007.
7. Evidence Session with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
Members were briefed by the following:
Mr Phelim Quinn Acting Chief Executive RQIA
Dr Ian Carson Chairman RQIA
The Chairperson took the chair at 2.53 p.m.
A question and answered session followed. The Deputy Chairperson thanked Mr Quinn and Dr Carson for attending.
8. Proposals for Statutory Rules
Members were briefed by Mr Bryan Bailie and Mr Eddie Murphy from the Department on proposals for Statutory Rules.
Members agreed that the Department proceeds to prepare the relevant Statutory Rules for:
General Ophthalmic Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007;
Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment no 2) Regulations
(NI) 2007.
9. Consideration of Draft Report on the Committee Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
The Committee considered the Draft Report on the Committee Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill paragraph by paragraph. The Committee agreed the main body of the report:
Paragraph 1- 5, read and agreed
Paragraph 6-11, read and agreed
Paragraph 12-14, read and agreed
Paragraph 15-17, read and agreed
Paragraph 18-19, read and agreed
Paragraph 20-23, read and agreed
Paragraph 24-26, read and agreed
Paragraph 27-30, read and agreed
Paragraph 31-34, read and agreed
Paragraph 35-43, read and agreed
The Committee agreed the Executive Summary
Paragraph 1-3, read and agreed
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 ordered the Report on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA 2/07) to be printed.
10. Proposal for managing demand from interested health groups/individuals
The Committee agreed to host a reception in the Long Gallery on 26 November 2007 to meet with interested health groups/individuals. Further details will issue in due course. The Committee agreed to continue to hold informal lunchtime meetings as appropriate
4.22 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallaher left the meeting.
11. Correspondence/Press cuttings/Releases
The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from Down Community Health Committee regarding the closure of St John’s House, Downpatrick, to the Department and to ask that the Committee be kept informed of the outcome.
The Committee agreed that NILGA should be added to the list of organisations requesting a meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted an invitation from the Equality Commission to attend an information event about the accessibility of health information for people with a learning disability on Friday 16 November 2007.
The Committee noted a reminder about a conference organised by the Independent Health and Care Providers on 17 October 2007.
12. Any other business
The Committee agreed to accept an invitation to visit the Northern Ireland Hospice on the morning of 15 November 2007, followed by the regular Committee meeting on their premises in the afternoon.
The Committee agreed to forward correspondence received by Members, to the Minister urging him to address the issues raised regarding Local Commissioning arrangements in Northern Ireland. This issue will also be raised in a meeting with the Minister in due course.
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to ask him to explain the rationale for maintaining the four health boards.
The Committee noted recent media coverage about a 76 year old man had been refused specialist brain treatment because he is over 65. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister urging him to review the policy regarding the health service treatment of people over the age of 65.
The Committee were reminded that an informal meeting has been arranged for 16 October 2007 with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to discuss healthcare in prisons. Members were encouraged to attend.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.32 p.m.