COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Room 135, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr John Render (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.04 pm in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2.06 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey joined the meeting.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Members agreed to write to the Chairperson wishing her a speedy recovery.
The Deputy Chairperson reported that an informal lunchtime meeting had taken place earlier today with the Derry Detox Support Group. A note of the meeting will be circulated in due course.
Members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill is scheduled for next Tuesday 9 December.
The Deputy Chairperson offered her congratulations on behalf of the Committee to John McCallister who recently got engaged.
2.10 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan joined the meeting.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 27 November 2008.
The minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the treatment of ME/CFS and agreed to copy this to a number of people who had contacted the Committee about this issue.
The Committee noted a response from Minister about the proposed Women’s and Children’s Hospital at the Royal and agreed to write to the Minister about funding that had previously been announced for this project by Direct Rule Ministers. Members also agreed to write to the Minister for Finance & Personnel urgently that funding be provided for this project.
The Committee noted a letter from Convatec and agreed to forward this to the Minister for a response.
The Committee noted a summary of the keys points from the lunchtime meeting with the National Osteoporosis Society and agreed to write to the Minister about the issues raised.
The Committee noted a report on the Committee visit to Wales and a draft response to the Department’s ASD Strategic Action Plan consultation. Members agreed to defer consideration of this until the next Committee meeting.
5. Maternal Deaths at Antrim Area Hospital
Evidence session with the Royal College of Midwives.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Breedagh Hughes Secretary, Royal College of Midwives Northern Ireland
A question and answer session ensued. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. The Committee agreed to write to the Department about research into level of private antenatal care in Northern Ireland.
2.40 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
2.55 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
3.00 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.10 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
Evidence session with the Northern Health & Social Care Trust.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Ms Norma Evans Chief Executive
Dr Peter Flanagan Director of Medical and Governance
Miss Bronagh Scott Director of Emergency, Primary Care and Older People's Services/Executive Director Nursing
Mr Glenn Houston Director of Women's and Children's Services/Executive Director Social Work.
A question and answer session ensued. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. Members agreed that the Trust provide the Committee with written updates on the implementation of reviews recommendations. The Committee also noted that it could return to the issue following the completion of inquests if necessary.
3.44 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
4.04 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.04 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
6. Statutory Rule: 2008/436: The Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members were briefed on the Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 by Seamus Camplisson, Health Protection Branch, DHSSPS.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/436: The Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objection to the Rule.
4.08 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
4.08 p.m. Mrs Claire McGill left the meeting.
7. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a memo from the Clerk to the Committee for Education, regarding the ICAN Centre, Ballynahinch.
Members noted a letter from Mr Ian McBride regarding a complaint against the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and agreed to forward the letter to the Trust for a response.
The Committee noted a letter from BHF Northern Ireland regarding an Emergency Life Saving (ELS) awareness and training session and agreed to invite them to arrange training for Members.
Members noted Northern Ireland Medical Review Magazine – Issue 10.
The Committee noted the NEBOSH Newsletter – Issue 26.
Members noted the RoseEnergy Newsletter – Issue 02.
The Committee noted the Advice NI Annual Review for 2007/2008.
Members noted the BMA (NI) Briefing – autumn 2008 edition.
The Committee noted a press release from NIPEC regarding appointment of a new Chief Executive.
8. Any other business
Members discussed a subject for the Committee’s next Inquiry, a number of issues were proposed. The Committee agreed that the Inquiry should be on Obesity and that draft Terms of Reference should be prepared for Members consideration. The Committee agreed keep the issue of the recruitment and retention of staff in the health service under review.
The Committee agreed to postpone their first meeting following Christmas recess until Thursday 15 January 2009.
The Committee agreed to invite the Department to brief Members about the lessons learned from the ‘Baby P’ case in Haringey, London.
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister about the lack of availability of aftercare in Northern Ireland for victims of human trafficking.
The Committee agreed to write to the health and social care trusts about efficiency savings.
9. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 11 December 2008 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.18 pm.
Signed:
Chairperson
Date: