COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 26 March 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
Mr John McCallister 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)
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.10 pm in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Members agreed to write to the Chairperson wishing her a speedy recovery.
The Committee agreed to forward a petition opposing the closure of St Luke’s and Longstone Hospitals to the Minister for information.
The Committee noted an invitation to the launch of the new Health & Social Care organisations on Wednesday 1 April.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 12 March 2009.
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2009 were agreed.
2.12 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan joined the meeting.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding plans to acquire an MRI scanner.
The Committee noted responses from the Northern Health & Social Services Board and the Minister regarding funding for the Hope Centre in Ballymena.
The Committee noted a letter from Asthma UK.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about issues raised by the Royal College of Midwives and agreed to copy this to the Royal College of Midwives.
The Committee noted an interim response from the Minister about issues raised by the Shingles Support Society.
The Committee noted an interim response from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister about issues raised by the Construction Industry Group.
The Committee noted the key points of meetings held with health related Groups on 10 March and agreed to follow up issues raised.
The Committee noted a response from the Law Centre about the provision of mental health services in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a letter from Dr Mary Gallagher about the effect of the introduction of Statutory Regulation on members of the Psychological Society of Ireland currently practicing in Northern Ireland and agreed to write to the Minister about this matter.
The Committee welcomed a response from the Minister agreeing to remove a proposal to exclude MPs, MLAs and MEPs from serving on Local Commissioning Groups as set out in the proposed Local Commissioning Groups (Membership) Regulations.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the Urgent Care & Treatment Centre and the issue about nursing staff at Tyrone County Hospital.
The Committee considered a report on the Deputy Chairperson’s visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital to examine the treatment available for children with intractable epilepsy and agreed to write to the Billy Caldwell foundation to offer meeting. Members also agreed to defer a visit to Chicago.
5. Committee Inquiry into Obesity
Evidence session with Dr Ryan, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
Members took evidence from:
Michael RyanConsultant Chemical Pathologist, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
2.20 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
2.48 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
6.Departmental Briefing on the Review of Fertility Services
Members took evidence from:
Miriam McCarthy Deputy Secretary, Healthcare Policy, DHSSPS
David Galloway Director of Secondary Care, DHSSPS
Margaret Rose McNaughton Principal, Secondary Care, specialist services, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.17 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.37 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
3.53 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.54 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
7. Statutory Rules
SR 2009/65: 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
The Committee considered SR 2009/65: 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 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/93: The Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being (Membership) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/93: The Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being (Membership) Regulations( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/95: The Regional Health and Social Care Board (Membership) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/95: The Regional Health and Social Care Board (Membership) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/87: The Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/87: The Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/88: The Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/88: The Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/94: The Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency (Dissolution and Transfer of Staff, Assets and Liabilities) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/94: The Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency (Dissolution and Transfer of Staff, Assets and Liabilities) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/99: The Local Commissioning Groups (Area and Functions) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered the content SR 2009/99: The Local Commissioning Groups (Area and Functions) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/96: The Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency (Dissolution and Transfer of Assets and Liabilities) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/96: The Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency (Dissolution and Transfer of Assets and Liabilities) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/84: The Special Agencies (Consultation on the Dissolution and Transfer of Staff, Assets and Liabilities) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/84: The Special Agencies (Consultation on the Dissolution and Transfer of Staff, Assets and Liabilities) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/98: The Patient and Client Council (Membership and Procedure) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/98: The Patient and Client Council (Membership and Procedure) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
SR 2009/97: The Regional Business Services Organisation (Membership and Procedure) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/97: The Regional Business Services Organisation (Membership and Procedure) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
8. Proposals for Statutory Rules
Members were briefed on the proposal to make the Draft Food Labelling (Nutrition Declarations) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 by:
Mervyn Briggs Local Authority Unit, Food Standards Agency (NI)
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witness for attending. Members agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
Members were briefed on the proposal to make the Revocation of the Establishments and Agencies (Fitness of Workers) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 by:
Eilís McDaniel Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Implementation Team
Fergal Bradley Child Care Unit Directorate
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule
Members were briefed on the proposal to make the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 by:
David Galloway Director of Secondary Care
The Witness agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witness for attending. Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule
9. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a letter from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the Review on Spending on Artwork in the Design & Construction of Health and Social Care Facilities and agreed to forward a letter to the Minister.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister forwarding a letter from Autism NI seeking a meeting with the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Members agreed to return the letter to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for further consideration.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the Public Accounts Committee Evidence Session on 2 nd October 2008.
The Committee noted a letter from the GMC regarding Medical Students: Professional Behaviour and Fitness to Practise.
The Committee noted a letter from the Chairpersons Liaison Group regarding work shadowing placements during Disability Week and agreed to host a person with learning disabilities. Members were encouraged to provide placements.
The Committee noted the Northern Ireland Waiting Lists – December 2008 key facts and figures.
The Committee noted a copy of the Northern Ireland Guardian ad Litem Agency Annual Report 07/08.
The Committee noted a review of Smoke-Free Legislation in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a press release from the South Eastern HSC Trust.
The Committee noted the Pieta House Newsletter – March 2009.
The Committee noted an invitation to a seminar ‘FASD, Prison and Trouble with the Law’.
The Committee noted newspaper articles about obesity.
The Committee noted a letter from Western Innovations Network regarding alternatives to the closure of nursing homes and agreed to forward this to the Minister.
The Committee noted an invitation from The Child Poverty Alliance to a series of seminars in the Long Gallery.
The Committee noted a letter from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists requesting a meeting with the committee and agreed to invite them to the next reception for healthcare related groups.
10. Any other business
The Committee agreed to arrange a fact finding visit to London and Birmingham as part of their inquiry into obesity.
The Committee agreed to consider further the merits of a fact finding visit to Norway.
The Committee agreed in principle to organising a round table research event as part of their inquiry into obesity.
The Committee noted that a meeting with representatives of Loughview Surgery Kirkcubbin had been arranged for Thursday 2 April 2009.
The Committee agreed to visit Queens University Belfast on Thursday 23 April 2009. Ms Sue Ramsey offered her apologies as she would be unable to attend.
The Committee agreed to arrange a reception to meet with health related groups on Tuesday 12 May 2009.
The Committee agreed that a number of research papers prepared for the Committee should be placed on the Assembly website.
The Committee agreed to write urgently to the Health & Social Care Trusts to ask how public petitions are taken into account during the Trusts consultation on efficiency savings.
The Committee agreed to forward correspondence concerning maternity provision at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Lagan Valley Hospital to the Minister for a response.
The Committee agreed to forward correspondence concerning the use of Rapid Response Vehicles to the Minister for a response.
11. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 2 April 2009 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.18 p.m.