COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2008
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher 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)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Alister Strain (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
The meeting commenced at1.32 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No Apologies were received.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson reported that she had a meeting Mr and Mrs Ferguson about the death of their daughter Raychel. The Chairperson reported that she would be meeting the Minister about this and would report back to the Committee.
1.33 p.m. Dr Kieran Deenyjoined the meeting
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 7 February 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2008were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to an Inquiry into Child Poverty being carried out by the Committee of the Office for the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Members agreed to forward a letter from the Committee of the Office for the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to the Minister.
The Committee noted the decision of the Chairpersons Liaison Group restricting the use of Committee Headed paper to the Committee chairperson.
Members noted a response from the Minister about the discharge of patients with learning disabilities from Muckamore Abbey Hospital.
Members noted a report on the Committee meeting with the Family Ministry Commission on Thursday 7 February 2008 and agreed to write to the Minister about issues raised during the meeting.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to a number of issues raised by Members at the Committee meeting on 10 January 2008.
Members agreed to invite the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service to give evidence to the Committee.
5. Evidence session with the Chief Executives of the Health and Social care Trusts on C. Difficile.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
John Compton, Chief Executive, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive, Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Norma Evans, Chief Executive, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
William McKee, Chief Executive, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Elaine Way, Chief Executive Western Health & Social Care Trust
Peter Flanagan, Medical Director, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
A questions and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.01 p.m. Ms Michelle O’Neillleft the meeting.
3.15 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.16 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.18 p.m. Ms Michelle O’Neillrejoined the meeting.
3.19 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
3.28 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
3.34 p.m. Ms Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting.
3.39 p.m. Ms Carál Ní Chuilín rejoined the meeting.
6. Evidence session with the Chief Medical Officer on C. Difficile.
Members took evidence from Dr Michael McBride, the Chief Medical officer.
A questions and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
5.06 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
5.09 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
5.16 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
The Committee considered the evidence from the Chief Executives and the Chief Medical Officer and agreed a Committee motion calling for a full independent, time bound public inquiry into the number of deaths associated with hospital acquired infections.
7. Statutory Rule 2008/39: The travelling expenses and remission of charges (amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/39. Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2008/39: The travelling expenses and remission of charges (amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the Rule subject to the examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects.
8. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases
Members noted a record of a telephone call from Edith Golligher expressing concerns about the cost of the new Omagh Hospital.
The Committee noted a report send by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry on a peer review.
Member noted a letter from the Family Care Society.
Members noted a letter from the Royal College of Nursing inviting the Chairperson to speak at a conference.
The Committee noted a review of acute hospital bed capacity send by PA Consulting.
Members noted details of a conference ‘Current Developments in Mental Health Services’.
9. Any other business
Members were reminded that the Chief Executive of the Kings fund Niall Dickson would be giving a lecture in the Stormont hotel on Friday 22 February 2008.
The Committee agreed to a visit and to hold their Committee meeting in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust at the Ulster Hospital on Thursday 10 April 2008.
Members agreed a programme and Press release for the Committee visit to Dublin on the 20 th & 21 st of February 2008.
Members agreed to write to the Minister about the provision of a midwife led maternity unit at Omagh Hospital.
Concerns were raised about the cost of funding the Food Safety Promotion Board (FSPB) and Members agreed to invite representatives of the FSPB and the department to brief the Committee.
10. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 28 February 2008 at 2.30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.41 p.m.
Signed:
Chairperson
Date: