COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 10 April 2008
Lecture Suite, Lagan Valley Hospital
Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister 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:
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.22 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson referred to the earlier visit to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and expressed her thanks to the Trust for accommodating the visit and for the use of the lecture suite to facilitate the Committee meeting.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 3 April 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 3 April 2008were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Members noted a letter from the Ireland Air Ambulance Charity providing an update on their plans.
The Committee noted responses from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust about the treatment of Mrs Marie McPeake.
Members noted a copy of the executive summary of the inquiry into the deaths of Madeline and Lauren O’Neill. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for an update on the implementation of the inquiry’s recommendations.
5. Evidence session on the Departmental Stroke Strategy with Northern Ireland Chest, heart and Stroke Association / Speechmatters.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Andrew P Dougal, OBE Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association.
Jackie WhiteChief Executive, Speechmatters.
Joe Korner Director of Communications, the Stroke Association
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.14 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
6. Evidence session on the Departmental Stroke Strategy with Departmental officials.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Miriam McCarthy Under Secretary, Healthcare Policy
Peter Deazley Secondary Care Directorate
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. Members agreed to consider their response to the Stroke Strategy at the next Committee meeting.
4.03 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting
7. Statutory Rule: SR 2008/128 the Optical Charges and Payment (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008
The Committee considered the content of SR2008/128: the Optical Charges and Payment (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
8. Statutory Rule: 2008/131 the Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
The Committee considered the content of SR2008/131: the Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
9. Statutory Rule: 2008/130 the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Injury Benefits and Additional Voluntary Contributions and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members were briefed on the Statutory Rule by Moira McCarthy and Phil McCusker from the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/130: the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Injury Benefits and Additional Voluntary Contributions and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
10. Statutory Rule: 2008/96 the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members were briefed on the Statutory Rule by Moira McCarthy and Phil McCusker from the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/96: the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
11. Sexual Health Strategy.
The Committee noted the Minister’s intention to seek Executive agreement for publication of a Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and agreed to invite the Chief Medical Officer to brief Members at a future committee meeting.
12. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the record of an informal meeting to discuss the Forward Work Programme and agreed priorities for the period to summer recess. The Committee agreed to consider visits to Enniskillen and Omagh Hospitals. Members agreed to write to ask the Minister to arrange a schedule for meetings with the Committee to Recess.
13. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases
Members noted a letter from the Minister about proposed secondary legislation under the Health and Social Care Bill which would abolish the Hearing Aid Council and transfer its function to the Health Professions Council.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister providing an update on the UK Children’s Environment and Health Strategy and plans for a consultation exercise.
Members noted Documents from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister seeking comments on the draft Public Authorities (Reform Bill).
The Committee noted a consultation document from the General Medical Council on revisions to the indicative sanctions guidance for fitness to practise panels.
Members noted a letter from the Children’s Independent Therapy about the provision of paediatric occupational therapy in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a letter from Gateway to the Professions about a booklet ‘Advising Medical Schools: encouraging disabled students.’
Members agreed to forward a letter from the Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland about the closure of the Minor Injuries Unit at Newtownards Hospital to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for a response.
The Committee noted a copy of a letter from Ms Hazel Stevenson to the Belfast Trust.
Members noted an invitation from Starting Point to the Chair to visit their facility for the young homeless.
The Committee agreed to forward a letter from Ms Vera Hewitt about the lack of provision for planned respite care beds the Lisburn area to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for a response.
Members agreed to write to the Minister to ask for a copy of his response to a letter from Dr Maura Charlton about lack of provision for translation of medical documents received from patients from ethnic minorities.
The Committee noted a letter from S.P.E.A.C. about the results of study carried out by Professor Patricia Howlins.
14. Any other business
The Chairperson reported that she had forwarded a letter from Mr Declan Maguire concerning waiting lists to the Minister. Members agreed to write to the Minister to request a copy of his response to Mr Maguire.
Member agreed to write to the Minister about the renewal of funding for community based groups working on suicide prevention.
15. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 17 April 2008 at 2.30 p.m. in room 135, Parliament Buildings and will be preceded by informal meetings with Mr Richard Lowry and the British Medical Association Northern Ireland in the Members Private Dining Room at 12.30 p.m.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.36 p.m.
Signed:
Chairperson
Date: