COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Claire McGill 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)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.05 pm in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Deputy Chairperson reported that an informal lunchtime meeting had taken place earlier today with the Construction Industry Training Board. A note of the meeting will be circulated in due course.
Members noted that the Committee Motion on efficiency savings was scheduled for Tuesday 10 February.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 22 January 2009.
The minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about issues raised by Graham Stinson.
The Committee noted an acknowledgement received from the Minister to the Committee’s response to the consultation on ASD Strategic Action Plan.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister for the Environment about tree planting.
The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Trust about issues raised by Derry Detox Group.
2.08 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
The Committee welcomed an announcement from the Department that patients in Northern Ireland will be allowed to pay for additional drugs. A Member inquired if this would be retrospective. The committee agreed to discuss this with the Minister at the next Committee meeting.
The Committee noted a summary of the keys points from the lunchtime meeting with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists and agreed to write to the Department about the issues raised.
The Committee noted a press release from the Department announcing investment in paediatric neurology including the introduction of a 3 Tesla MRI scanner.
5. Evidence session with the Mental Health & Learning Disability Alliance on the implementation of the Bamford Review.
Members took evidence from:
Colin Harper Disability Action
Rebecca Shea Mencap
Nigel Spiers British Association of Social Workers
Victoria Taylor National Deaf Children’s Association
A question and answer session ensued. Members agreed to raise the issue of a two track mental health legislation with the Minister. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.12 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna joined the meeting.
2.15 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan joined the meeting.
2.56 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
6. Evidence with the Western Health & Social Care Trust on Omagh Hospital and Efficiency Savings.
Members took evidence on the removal of acute services at Omagh Hospital from:
Joe Lusby Deputy Chief Executive.
Alan McKinney Divisional Clinical Director
Anne Kilgallen Medical Director
Alan Corry Finn Director of Acute Services
3.15 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
4.21 p.m. meeting adjourned.
4.29 p.m. meeting resumed.
Members took evidence on efficiency savings from:
Elaine Way Chief Executive
Alan Corry Finn Director of Acute Services
John Doherty Director of Women and Children's Services
Trevor Millar Director of Adult Mental Health and Disability Services
John McGarvey Assistant Director of Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation
A question and answer session ensued. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.45 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna left the meeting.
5.19 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
5.19 p.m. Mrs Claire McGill left the meeting.
5.21 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
5.22 p.m. Mrs Claire McGill rejoined the meeting.
7. Statutory Rule: SR 2009/16. The General Ophthalmic Services (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2009/16. The General Ophthalmic Services (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule
8. Proposed Statutory Rules
Members were briefed on the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) and Health and Personal Social Services (Injury Benefits) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 by:
Moira McCarthy HSC Superannuation Branch, DHSSPS
Phil McCusker HSC Superannuation Branch, DHSSPS
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
5.36 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
9. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a letter from the General Medical Council regarding consultation on the Draft General Medical Council (Licence to Practise) Regulations 2009 and Supporting Guidance for Doctors.
Members agreed to invite the Skeagh House Action Committee to an informal meeting with the Committee.
The Committee noted an invitation from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to an event to be held in Belfast titled ‘Old People: Choice and Independence’
The Committee noted a copy of Belfast Healthy Cities Annual Report 2007/2008.
10. Any other business
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister again about the issue of practise funding for Loughview GP Surgery Kircubbin which as not been resolved yet.
The Committee agreed to raise the issue of cardiac risk in young people with the Minister at the next Committee meeting.
11. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 5 February 2009 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.39 pm.