COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Thursday, 3 July 2008
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Ms Claire McGill MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

The meeting commenced at 2.39 pm in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson and Members expressed the wish to extend their condolences to the Deputy Chair and the family circle on the death of her father-in-law.

The Chairperson referred to her absence from the Committee meeting on 19 June and informed Members that the comments she made were expressing her personal opinion and that she does not regard homosexuality as a mental health issue. The Chairperson also confirmed her commitment to uphold Section 75.

Members noted that a report on the Committee visit to the Mother and Baby Mental Health Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow to look at perinatal services in Scotland will be circulated at the next meeting. Members may then wish to consider further action.

The Chairperson referred Members to a complaint against Belfast City Hospital highlighted in the Northern Ireland Ombudsman’s Annual Report published on Wednesday, 2 July 2008. Members agreed that the Chief Executive, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, should be invited to the next meeting of the Committee, after Summer recess, to brief the Committee on what follow up action was taken.

The Chairperson informed Members that, as a result of the Billy Caldwell case, she will be visiting Chicago in a personal capacity to look at the facilities available for the treatment of patients with intractable epilepsy. The Chairperson undertook to keep Members abreast of developments during recess. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister enquiring if the scanner is now available.

The Chairperson informed Members that she had meet with the Minister for finance and Personnel about Agenda for Change and that this will be addressed under matters arising.

3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 19 June 2008

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2008 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister to issues raised about the treatment of Mr Cecil Adair and agreed that a copy of the Minister’s response should be forwarded to Mr Adair.

The Committee noted two responses from the Minister regarding the requirements to recover excess payments arising from the implementation of Agenda for Change. The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting she had held with the Minister for Finance about the position of health service staff, mainly in speech and language therapy, who at the end of the Agenda for Change process, are facing a claw back of overpayments. The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the Minister’s responses to the Union and to write to the Minister requesting further information.

The Committee noted an interim response received from the Minister regarding Epilepsy Services throughout Northern Ireland.

The Committee noted a summary of the key points arising out of the informal meeting with Gabrielle and Thomas Bennett on Thursday 19 June 2008. Members agreed to invite departmental officials to brief the Committee on this case.

The Committee noted a summary of the key points arising out of the informal meeting with the Participation Network on Thursday 19 June 2008.

2.54pm Mr Buchanan joined the meeting

The Committee noted the contents of the Clerk’s report on the Committee fact-finding visit to Enniskillen and Omagh. The Chairperson indicated her intention to visit both hospitals at a later stage.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Committee’s request for a Public Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding post mortem injuries sustained by Mrs Maureen McGinley. The Chairperson recorded her thanks to the Members for their contribution to the debate in the Assembly.

Mr McCallister informed Members that he had attended the service on Wednesday, 2 July to celebrate 60 years of the National Health Service. Mr McCallister paid tribute to the staff in the National Health Service.

5. Evidence session with the Mental Health Commission

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Mr Paul McBrearty Chief Executive, Mental Health Commission
Mr Noel McKenna Chairperson, Mental Health Commission
Ms Clare Quigley Social Work Member of the Commission
Dr Brian Fleming Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Member of the Commission

3.18pm Ms Ramsey left the meeting
3.22pm Ms Ramsey returned to the meeting

A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

6. Briefing on the Independent Review of Autism Services in Northern Ireland

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass Chairman, Independent Review Group
Dr Stephen Bergin Independent Review Group
Dr Sandi Hutton Independent Review Group

A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

4.30pm Mrs Hanna left the meeting
4.30pm The Committee adjourned
4.40pm The Committee resumed

7. Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill

Members noted that the Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill received its Second Reading in the Assembly on Tuesday 1 July 2008 and that the Bill has been passed to the Committee to undertake the ‘Committee Stage’. The Committee agreed to release a press release and public notice and that relevant organisations should be invited to submit comments on the provisions of the Bill.

8. Statutory Rules

The Committee passed the following motions:

The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered the Drinking Milk Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the Rule.

The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the Rule.

The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Care Tribunal (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the Rule.

The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) and the Milk and Milk Products (Protection of Designations) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the Rule.

Mr McCallister declared an interest as a shareholder in a food processing company.

The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

9. Proposal for a Statutory Rule

Members were briefed on the proposal to make the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 by :

Ms Heather Robinson Equality, Human Rights and Public Safety Unit
Mr Bertie Kennedy Equality, Human Rights and Public Safety Unit

Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare the Statutory Rules.

Members were briefed on the Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2008 by :

Mr Bryan Bailie Assistant Director, Primary and Community Care Directorate
Mr Ernie Swain General Dental and Ophthalmic Services Branch

Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare the Statutory Rule.

10. Proposed Statutory Instrument

Members noted that the Secretary of State intends to make a Statutory Instrument, the Medicines for Human Use (Prescribing by EEA Practitioners) Regulations 2008. These Regulations will allow, subject to certain conditions, prescriptions written by doctors or dentists in other EEA states, other than Switzerland, to be dispensed in the UK.

11. Committee Freedom of Information delegation arrangements

Members noted correspondence from the Central Committee Office highlighting difficulties which may arise over the recess period. Members agreed to delegate authority to the chairperson and deputy chairperson to submit views on Freedom of Information requests on behalf of the Committee over the recess period.

12. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.

Members noted correspondence from the Triangle Housing Association and agreed to invite the Association to the next reception for health related groups.

Members noted correspondence from the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies about improving access to Psychological Therapies.

Members noted a response from the Minister of the Environment on climate change policies.

Members noted correspondence from Mr Roger Gale MP, acknowledging the Committee’s letter about the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Members noted correspondence from the Department of Health and Children about the Committee’s Inquiry.

Members noted responses to the proposed Health and Social Care Reform Bill from the Community Development and Health Network and the Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI).

Members noted correspondence forwarded by Mr Peter Robinson MP MLA from Ms Elizabeth Davidson about concerns regarding drug trials. Members agreed to write to the Minister about the issues raised.

Members noted correspondence from NHS Ayrshire and Arran thanking the Committee for a copy of the Report on the Committee’s Inquiry.

Members noted a report received from Child Care Partnership about ‘Planning Integrated Services to Support Children and Families’.

Members noted correspondence from BMA Northern Ireland highlighting issues raised during their meeting with the Committee on 17 April 2008.

Members noted correspondence from Dr McBride, Chief Medical Officer forwarding a copy of his Annual Report.

Members noted correspondence received from the Clerk to the Employment and Learning Committee about cross cutting disability issues and agreed to forward a copy to the Minister.

Members noted correspondence received from the Climate Change Coalition Northern Ireland.

Members noted correspondence received from Mr Nicholas Fletcher about the views expressed by the Chairperson on homosexuality.

Members noted correspondence received from the Fertility Counselling Service (NI) and agreed to invite the service to an informal meeting with the Committee.

Members noted correspondence received from Alastair Ross MLA seeking a meeting for a constituent regarding the provision of defibrillators in sports clubs. Members agreed to invite them to an informal meeting with the Committee. Members also agreed to write to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure asking them to seek the view of the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure on the provision of defibrillators in sports clubs.

Members noted that a copy of the June 2008 Edition of CRC News supplement ‘Victim and Survivors’ had been received.

Members noted that a copy of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council News Supplement had been received.

Members noted that a copy of the June/July 2008 issue of the Equality Focus for MLAs had been received.

Members noted an email received from Bumblebee Nursery about proposals to close the child day care centre. Members agreed to ask the Minister to copy his reply to the Nursery to the Committee.

Members noted correspondence from Councillor Diane Dodds about the treatment of a constituent Scott Campbell. Members agreed to write to the Minister for a response.

Members noted correspondence received from the Clerk to the Committee for the First Minister and deputy First Minister about Sustainable Development objectives and targets. Members agreed that this should be included in the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.

13. Any other business

Members noted with concern that there were two further deaths in June in the Northern Trust area due to C Difficile.

Members noted that, due to the work being undertaken in the Chamber, the first plenary session after summer recess will be deferred for a further week until Monday 15 September. Members agreed that the first meeting of the Committee after summer recess should be held on Thursday, 11 September 2008.

Mr Buchanan raised the issue of dentists taking on new National Health Service patients and the disparity in actual cost and payment from the National Health Service for treatment. Members agreed to write to the Minister seeking clarification.

14. Date, time and place of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 11 September 2008 at 2.30pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.10 pm.

Signed: ______________________________
Chairperson
Date: ________________________________

19 June 08 / Menu