COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday 21 May 2009
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present: Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr David Irvine (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
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 above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Deputy Chairperson reported that a successful round table research event had been held on Tuesday 19 May 2009 as part of the Committee’s inquiry into obesity. The Deputy Chairperson thanked Dr Jane Wilde for chairing the event and acknowledged the role of committee staff in the organisation of the event.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 14 May 2009.
The minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Kevin Taylor has been received responding to the Minister’s reply about healthcare in the Western Trust area and agreed to forward this to the Minister for a response.
The Committee noted a copy of the Active Schools Network 3 Year Evaluation provided by Sport NI.
The Committee noted a report on the Committee Healthcare event in the Long Gallery on 12 May 09 and agreed to defer consideration of this until the next Committee meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from the College of Occupational Therapists providing additional information following their evidence to the Committee on obesity on Thursday 2 April.
5. Proposed Statutory Rule
Members were briefed on The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme and Injury Benefits) and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 by:
Moira McCarthy DHSSPS
Phil McCusker DHSSPS
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
2.13 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna joined the meeting.
6. Committee Inquiry into Obesity
Evidence session with the Food Standards Agency
Members took evidence from:
Maria Jennings Deputy Director, Food Standards Agency
Andrea Marnoch, Head of Dietary Health Unit, Food Standards Agency
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses invited the Committee to visit the office of the Food Standards Agency. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.37 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting
2.51 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting
2.54 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting
2.56 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna left the meeting
2.57 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting
2.57 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna rejoined the meeting
Evidence session with the British Heart Foundation, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association and Diabetes UK.
Members took evidence from:
Andrew Dougal Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association
Iain Foster Diabetes UK Northern Ireland
Victoria Taylor British Heart Foundation
A question and answer session ensued. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.01 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting
3.28 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting
3.58 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting
7. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a letter from Sammy Wilson MP MLA about the dangers of low energy light bulbs to those who have Lupus and agreed to write to the Minister about this matter
The Committee noted a letter from the Department regarding a consultation on proposed regulations on exposure to ionising radiation.
The Committee noted a letter from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) seeking a meeting with Committee to highlight concerns regarding the implementation of the Departments ‘Strategy for the Development of Psychological Therapy Services’ and agreed to invite them to meet with the Committee.
The Committee noted a copy of correspondence between the Department of Finance and Personnel and the BMA about initiatives and policies in the Civil Service to reduce the effects of obesity. Members agreed to invite the Assembly’s caterers to brief the Committee on initiatives and policies in Parliament Buildings.
The Committee noted a letter from the Food Standards Agency about proposed ‘Charges for Residues Surveillance Regulations’.
The Committee noted a letter from Smart Start seeking a meeting with the Committee to discuss the services they provide and agreed to invite them to the next Committee event for healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted an invitation from Cuan Mhuire to an event “A celebration of Recovery from Addiction,” to be held on Friday 26 th June 2009.
The Committee noted a copy of ‘Breakthrough’ magazine from the Northern Ireland Campaign for M.E. /C.F.S. Healthcare.
The Committee noted a copy of “Northern Ireland Medical Review.”
The Committee noted a report from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, “Cancer in Ireland 1994 - 2004.”
The Committee noted a report “BMA Briefing – spring 2009” from the British Medical Association Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a copy of “The Science of Climate Change: What You Need to Know,” from Environment Link.
The Committee noted a copy of “Advice Matters,” magazine from Advice Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure about a seminar they are organising to raise awareness and promote the use of townland names and agreed to forward a letter to the Department.
8. Any other business
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for clarification of the number of nursing posts which would be lost due to the Comprehensive Spending Review efficiency savings process.
The Committee agreed to write to the Chief Executive of each Health & Social Care Trust to highlight awareness of a study being carried out by the University of Ulster to learn from the experiences of suicidal men to inform mental health care services. Members also agreed to copy this letter to voluntary organisations working on mental health.
Members discussed the Department’s response to the Committee Inquiry into Prevention of Suicide & Self Harm and agreed to raise the issue of patients being given a follow up appointment before being discharged from hospital with officials at the next Committee meeting.
9. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 28 May 2009 at 2.00pm in room 135 , Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.57 p.m.