COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna 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
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.35 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson reported that an informal lunchtime meeting had taken place earlier today with the Mental Health and Learning Disability Alliance. A note of the meeting will be circulated in due course.
The Chairperson reminded Members that the report on the Committee’s Inquiry into the prevention of Suicide and Self Harm was on the Order Paper for debate on Monday 19 May. Members expressed concerns that insufficient time was being allowed for the debate and agreed that staff should investigate with the Business Office if this could be extended. The Committee agreed a draft press release and to release embargoed copies of the report.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 1 May 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 May 2008were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Members noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by Medical Consultants about the implementation of Agenda for Change for Medical Secretaries in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and agreed to copy the Ministers reply to the Consultants.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing an update on the review of publicly funded infertility services.
Members noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by Mr Michael McGinn.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by Mr Declan Maguire and agreed to copy this to Mr Maguire.
Members noted a response from the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust about the Ards Minor Injuries Unit.
The Committee noted a letter from Lisburn City Council seeking a meeting with the Committee regarding proposals for changes to Maternity and Accident and Emergency Provision at Lagan Valley Hospital. Members agreed to write to Minister to seek clarification of proposals.
Members noted a letter from the Family Ministry Commission (Down and Connor) about the draft guidelines on termination of pregnancy.
Members noted a letter from Dr Victor Patterson, Consultant Neurologist, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust about funding for the Education Centre.
The Committee noted a copy of a presentation given by the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust during the Committee visit on 1 May 2008.
Members noted the Terms of Reference for the Ministerial Taskforce on Suicide Prevention and expressed concern that the group has not met since October 2007.
The Committee noted a letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development about correspondence from the Trossachs Area Resident’s Association.
2.46p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan joined the meeting.
5. Evidence session on the use of PFI/PPP on Omagh and Enniskillen Hospital projects
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Mr Joe Lusby |
Director of Planning and Performance, Western Health & Social Care Trust |
Ms Mary Maguire |
Developing Better Services Manager, Western Health & Social Care Trust |
Dr Jim Livingstone |
Director of Infrastructure Investments, DHSSPS |
Mr Harry Thompson |
Programme Director, Estates Development, DHSSPS |
A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
6. Consultation on the Executive response to the Bamford Review
Members noted a draft copy of the Department’s response to the Bamford review and that the Minister and the Mental Health and Learning Disability Board would be attending the Committee meeting on 29 May 2008.
4.39 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
7. Statutory Rule. SR 2008/188 The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Members were briefed on SR 2008/188: The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 by Joy Cresswell, Meat Hygiene and Imported Food Division, Food Standards Agency.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/188: The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (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.
Members raised concerns that an Equality Impact Assessment was not being carried out for all proposals for secondary legislation.
8. Statutory Rule. SR 2008/193 Registration of Pharmaceutical Chemists (Exempt Persons) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Members were briefed on SR 2008/193 Registration of Pharmaceutical Chemists (Exempt Persons) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 by Gail Anderson and Joyce Cairns, from Human Resource Directorate, DHSSPS
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/193 Registration of Pharmaceutical Chemists (Exempt Persons) 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. SR 2008/192 the European Qualifications (Pharmacy) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Members were briefed on SR 2008/192 the European Qualifications (Pharmacy) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 by Gail Anderson and Joyce Cairns, from Human Resource Directorate, DHSSPS
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/192 the European Qualifications (Pharmacy) 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. Proposal for Statutory Rule
Members were briefed by Seamus Camplisson, Health Protection Branch, DHSSPS on the proposal to make the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (General) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members agreed that the Department proceeds to prepare the Statutory Rule
11. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance & Personnel about the role of the Performance and Efficiency Unit together with a copy letter from the Department of Finance and Personnel.
Members noted a letter from the Speaker, Mr William Hay MLA, about the House of Commons Cross Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Power Lines.
The Committee noted a letter from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and agreed that they should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.
Members noted a letter from the Healthy Living Centre Regional Alliance and agreed that they should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Royal National Institute for the Blind on the Draft Equality Impact Assessment on the Programme for Government
Members noted an invitation from FOLD inviting Members to the TeleHealthCare event on 17 June 2008.
The Committee noted a letter from the Royal College of Nursing.
Members noted copies of responses to the proposals for Health & Social Care Reform from the Long Term Carers Alliance & UNISION.
The Committee noted a copy of a letter from Mr and Mrs J Cosgrove to the Minister about funding for dentistry.
Members noted a letter from ICAP.
The Committee noted correspondence from Choose Life Ministries giving details of an ASIST (suicide awareness) course at their church on 15/16 May 2008.
Members noted a copy of the minutes of the Western Health and Social Services Council.
The Committee noted a copy of a presentation from the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health.
Members noted a letter from Beechgrove Glencregagh Resident’s Association about the proposed Regional Adolescent Psychiatric Unit at Forster Green Hospital and agreed to forward this to the Minister for a response.
12. Any other business
Members agreed an amended press release for the Committee visit to the Fire and Rescue Service.
The Committee agreed an amended Committee Motion calling for a Public Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding injuries to Mrs Maureen McGinley after her death.
Members agreed a Committee visit to the Omagh and Enniskillen Hospitals on 12 June 2008.
The Committee agreed a Committee visit to the Mother and Baby Unit in Glasgow on either 19 June 2008 or 26 June 2008.
13. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 22 May 2008 at 2.30 p.m. in the Board room, Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.52 p.m.
Signed:
Chairperson
Date: