COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Room 135, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA, Deputy Chairperson (in the Chair)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Claire McGill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Alister Strain (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mrs Iris Robinson MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.37 p.m. in public session.
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Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
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Chairperson’s Business
Members noted that the Committee motion on the post mortem injuries sustained by Mrs M McGinley has been scheduled for debate on 24 June 2008. It was agreed that the Chairperson should seek a meeting with the Minister in advance of the debate and that the Committee should write to Mrs McGinley’s family formally inviting them to attend the debate. Dr Deeny expressed his regret that he would be unable to attend the debate due to a pressing family commitment.
The Chairperson reported that an informal lunchtime meeting had taken place earlier today with Mr and Mrs Bennett about the death of Mrs Bennett’s mother and a separate meeting had taken place with the Participation Network. A note of the meetings will be circulated in due course.
The Committee noted that a report on the visit which took place last week, to Enniskillen and Omagh to look at hospital provision in the area, would be circulated in due course.
The Deputy Chairperson requested that it be put on record that she wished to distance herself from the comments made by the Chairperson of the Committee in the media in relation to homosexuality. The other Members present expressed their views on the issue.
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Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 29 May 2008
The minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2008 were agreed.
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Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to the Committee report on the Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by Praxis Care and agreed that a copy of the Minister’s response should be forwarded to Praxis Care.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and agreed that a copy of the Minister’s response should be forwarded to RNIB.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by Caroline Calvert about the recent proposal for a three-year pay deal for staff on the agenda for Change rates of pay. The Committee agreed that a copy of the Minister’s response should be forwarded to Ms Calvert and that a letter should be sent to the Minister seeking further clarification in relation to Speech and Language Therapists.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to issues raised by Dr Mageean and Dr Bailie about the funding of Loughview Surgery. The Committee agreed that a copy of the Minister’s response should be forwarded to Dr Mageean and Dr Bailie. The Committee also agreed to invite Dr Mageean and Dr Bailie to a future Committee meeting.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the Motor Neurone Disease Care Centre.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about a report from guide dogs for the blind and agreed to forward a copy to the Guide Dog Association for the Blind.
The Committee noted a letter received from the Minister about under spend by the Department.
Members noted a response from the Minister about scanning equipment available at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking further clarification.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding an evaluation of the work of Healthy Living Centres.
The Committee noted correspondence received from Lisburn City Council requesting a meeting with the Committee about Lagan Valley Hospital. The Committee agreed that representatives of Lisburn City Council should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted a response from the Department for Regional Development about issues raised by the Trossachs Area Residents Association. The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the Minister’s response to the residents association.
The Committee noted a copy of the interim RQIA review on C Difficile. The Committee agreed to invite the Independent Review Team to brief the Committee in the autumn.
The Committee noted correspondence received from Pieta House about the Committee report on suicide.
The Committee noted a letter received from the Beechgrove Glencregagh Residents Association thanking the Committee for their help.
The Committee noted a summary of key points from the Committee’s meeting with the Commissioner for Children and Young People.
- Evidence session with the Institute for Public Health on the Department’s proposals for health care reform
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Dr Jane Wilde Chief Executive, Institute for Public Health
Ms Claire Higgins Public Health development Officer, Institute for Public Health
2.55pm Mr Alex Easton joined the meeting.
3.06pm Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.40pm the Committee adjourned
3.50pm the Committee reconvened
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Evidence session with the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) on the Department’s proposals for health care reform
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Ms Heather Moorhead Chief Executive, NILGA
Arnold Hatch President, NILGA
A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.27pm Dr Deeny left the meeting
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Statutory Rules
The Committee passed the following motions:
The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule: The Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc.) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 which is subject to the affirmative resolution in the Assembly and has no objection to the Rule.
The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule: The Smoke-Free (Exemptions, Vehicles, Penalties and Discounted Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) which is subject to the affirmative resolution in the Assembly and has no objection to the Rule.
4.29pm Dr Deeny returned to the meeting.
The Committee at its meeting on 15 May 2008 approved Statutory Rule: The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (General) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the rule. The Examiner’s report has now been received and Members noted that the Department is in breach of the 21 rule but accepted the explanation provided by the Department.
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Proposal for a Statutory Rule
Members were briefed by Mr Seamus Camplisson and Ms Karen Savage, Population Health Directorate, DHSSPS on the proposal to make the Public Health (Ships) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members agreed that the Department proceeds to prepare the Statutory Rule.
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Sexual Health Strategy
Members agreed the Committee’s draft response to the Department’s draft Sexual Health Promotion Strategy.
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Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development about the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy asking if the Committee had carried out any scrutiny of the DHSSPS contribution to the Strategy. The Committee agreed to ask the Minister about the Department’s contribution to the Strategy. Members agreed to respond that the Committee has not undertaken any such scrutiny to date but was raising the issue with the Minister.
Members noted a document received from the Department about Regulatory Changes to the Primary Medical Services Performers List System.
Members noted the contents of the Forward Work Programme which had been received from the Public Accounts Committee.
Members noted a letter which had been received from Ms Nicola Sturgeon MSP about the Committee visit to Glasgow.
The Committee noted a letter from the Buddy Bear Trust seeking a meeting with the Committee. Members agreed that they should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted a letter from Mrs McShane who has invoked the internal trust grievance procedure following a dispute over additional work shifts.
The Committee noted a copy of letter sent to the Chairman of the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust about the treatment of Ryan McCauley.
The Committee noted a letter from the Royal Jubilee Liaison Committee requesting a meeting with the Committee. Members also noted that the Committee agreed at its last meeting to arrange a meeting with the Liaison Committee.
The Committee noted correspondence from Disability Action highlighting their ‘My Life, My Right, My Choice Health Campaign’
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr William McCullough about conditions for nurses.
The Committee noted correspondence from the General Medical Council about reporting criminal and regulatory proceedings within and outside the UK.
The Committee noted correspondence from the General Medical Council about the new edition of GMCtoday.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Shankill Stress and Trauma Group about the future funding of the Shankill Stress and Trauma Group.
The Committee noted correspondence from the College of Occupational Therapists about Health Promotion in Occupational Therapy.
The Committee noted a letter from Dr Michael Ryan seeking a meeting with the Committee about obesity problems in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed that Dr Ryan should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted a letter from South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust about the ‘Stroke is a Medical Emergency (FAST) Pilot Campaign’.
The Committee noted a letter from Asthma Northern Ireland thanking the Chairperson for speaking at their World Asthma Day on 6 May 2008.
The Committee noted an invitation from Ms Anna Lo MBE MLA to attend a presentation and reception for the launch of the Facts, Fears and Feelings Project on Wednesday 25 June 2008.
The Committee noted correspondence from Independent Health and Care Providers (ihcp) about the Challenges Facing Community Care Services.
The Committee noted correspondence from the British Medical Association about Medical Student Finance.
The Committee noted an e-mail from the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association seeking a meeting with the Health Committee. The Committee agreed that the Association should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted an e-mail from the Regional Fostering Recruitment & Training Co-ordination Service seeking a meeting with the Committee. The Committee agreed that the service should be invited to an informal lunchtime meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted an e-mail from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists seeking a meeting with the Committee. The Committee agreed that they should be invited to meet with the Committee.
Members noted a copy of CNO News (a news sheet from the Chief Nursing Officer).
The Committee noted an e-mail from Samuel Hadden about comments made by the Chairperson on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show about homosexuality.
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Any other business
The Committee noted the recent announcement by the Minister about funding for after school clubs and agreed to invite officials to a future meeting to give evidence on the funding of Playboard.
The Committee agreed to invite the Lymphodema Network to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee agreed to hold a reception for Health Related groups on Tuesday 30 September 2008 in the Long Gallery from 4.00pm to 6.30pm.
Members noted the contents of the programme for the Committee’s visit to Glasgow next week to look at perinatal services.
Following discussion it was agreed that consideration should be given at a later date as to how best Members can participate in all party groups.
Dr Deeny expressed concern at the resignation of three senior consultants from Altnagelvin hospital, especially at a time when Omagh hospital is to be closed. He indicated that General Practitioners were being asked to refer patients to other hospitals. He also raised an issue about the teleneurology service in the South West which is to be discontinued. Following discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking clarification on issues raised.
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking an update on the investigation into the Listeriosis outbreak in the Belfast Trust area.
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Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 2.30pm in the Senate Chamber. It was agreed that the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Forum should be invited to an informal meeting in the Private Dining Room as 1.25pm.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at4.36p.m.
Signed: ______________________________
Chairperson
Date: ________________________________