COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday 10 September 2009
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Mrs Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr David Irvine (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.00 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson introduced himself to members and paid tribute to the Committee’s former Chairperson Iris Robinson and to Thomas Buchannan who will be leaving the Committee. The Committee agreed to write to Mrs Robinson & Mr Buchannan thanking them for the contribution that they made to the Committee. Ms Ramsey paid tribute to the deputy Chairperson who chaired quite a few meeting in the absence of the previous Chairperson.
The Chairperson welcomed Dolores Kelly to her first Committee meeting and referred members to declaration of interests for him and Mrs Kelly.
The Chairperson and members expressed their condolences to John McCallister and the family circle on the recent death of his father and agreed to write to Mr McCallister expressing their sympathies.
The Chairperson noted that over the summer recess he had met with the Minister on 18 th August 2009 and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer on 29 th July 2009. The deputy Chairperson accompanied him to the meeting with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
2.03 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna joined the meeting.
2.08 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 2 July 2009
The minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister on the funding received by Loughview Surgery, Kircubbin under the General Medical Services Contract and agreed to copy this to Loughview Surgery.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the proposed Health & Care Centre in Ballymena and agreed to copy this to Ballymena Borough Council.
The Committee noted responses from the Minister to issues raised by Mr Tom Moore regarding his application for the post of Non-Executive Director of the Public Health Agency.
Mr Jim Wells made a declaration of interest that he knew Mr Moore.
The Committee agreed to ask the Department to provide an update on its review of procedures in relation to the application of essential and desirable criteria and to copy the response to Mr Moore.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IDB) Standards and correspondence from John McCallister MLA requesting that the Committee are briefed by Dr Seamus Murphy on the treatment of this condition. Members agreed to invite Dr Murphy to the next Committee reception for health related groups.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing a timetable for the introduction of additional dental services. Members agreed to write to the Department for further information regarding planning and to copy the Ministers response to local councils for information.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the supply of contact lens solution on prescription and agreed to copy this to Advice NI who raised the issue with the Committee.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the treatment of patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister proposing to withdraw the PSA target to reduce the number of children in care by 12% by 2011. Members agreed to invite officials to brief the Committee on this.
The Committee noted an update from the Northern Health & Social Care Trust about their review of Maternity Services.
The Committee noted an update from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust detailing the policies implemented following the report of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman.
The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust about issues raised by the Prince’s Trust and agreed to copy this to the Prince’s Trust.
The Committee noted a response from the Western Health & Social Care Trust about the provision of respite care for young people in the Omagh & Fermanagh area. Members agreed to copy this to Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA and to return to this issue at the next Committee meeting.
The Committee noted a response from the Western Health & Social Care Trust about issues raised by Belfast Health Action Zone.
The Committee noted a response from the Northern Health & Social Care Trust to issues raised by TSA planning and agreed to copy this to TSA planning.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ireland Air Ambulance and agreed and to return to this issue at the next Committee meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from the Health Professions Council about the regulation of psychotherapists & counsellors.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Lee Wilson .
The Committee noted a response from Royal College of Nursing about the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on Nursing and agreed to write to the Minister regarding the lost of nursing posts due to CSR.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules expressing concerns regarding the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme and Injury Benefits) and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/188).
Mrs Dolores Kellymade a declaration of interest that she had a pension covered by the scheme.
Mrs Carmel Hanna made a declaration of interest that she may have a pension covered by the scheme.
Members agreed to copy the letter to the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the funding of Health Service Homeopathy Services.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about measures to prevent cases of sudden cardiac arrest.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing an update on the progress of the public inquiry into the outbreak of C Difficile in the Northern Trust.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about proposals for the future of Greenfield residential home in Strabane and agreed to copy this to Mr J Brennan who raised the issue with the Committee.
The Committee noted a letter from Dr Maura Briscoe providing additional information about the work of the regional resettlement team.
5. Update on Swine Flu and proposed Statutory Rule
Members took evidence from:
Dr Michael McBride Chief Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Norman Morrow Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Elizabeth Mitchell Deputy Chief Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Mr Edmund McCosh Pharmacy & Prescribing Branch , DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information.
3.10 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
Members were briefed on the proposal to make the Amendments to the Pharmaceutical Services Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 1997 to deal with emergency situations including during pandemic flu. Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.35 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
3.42 p.m. Mrs Dolores Kellyleft the meeting.
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2009/260 the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/260 the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (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 2009/258 the Food Irradiation Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/258 the Food Irradiation 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 2009/266 the Working Time (Doctors in Training) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee deferred consideration of the Working Time (Doctors in Training) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009until a future committee meeting and agreed to invite departmental officials.
SR 2009/263 the General Dental Services (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009
The Committee considered SR 2009/263 the General Dental 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.
7. Proposed Statutory Rules
Members were briefed on the proposal to make The Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations (NI) 2009 and The Fish Labelling Regulations (NI) 2009 by:
Mervyn Briggs Local Authority Unit, Food Standards Agency (NI)
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending. Members agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
3.47 p.m. Mrs Dolores Kelly rejoined the meeting.
3.47p.m Meeting adjourned
3.56 p.m. Meeting resumed.
3.58p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna rejoined the meeting.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered and agreed a forward work programme.
The Committee agreed to visit the Food Standards Agency on 22 October 2009.
The Committee agreed to invite the Minister to brief the Committee on the Departments priorities and the legislative programme for 2009/10.
The Committee discussed a Departmental press release regarding efficiency savings in the Ambulance Service and agreed to invite Departmental officials and the Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service to brief it on this matter.
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for an update on efficiency savings under the Comprehensive Spending Review.
4.20p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna left the meeting.
9. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.
The Committee noted a letter from Councillor Maeve McLaughlin regarding concerns over a constituent receiving permanent injury benefit and agreed to write to the trusts regarding their disciplinary procedures.
The Committee noted a written ministerial statement from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the End of Year Delivery Report for the Programme for Government. Members agreed to invite departmental officials to brief the Committee on the areas were the Department had failed to meet targets.
The Committee noted a letter from the BMA seeking a meeting regarding the Review and Modernisation of Supplement for Undergraduate Medical and Dental Education (SUMDE) and agreed that this should be arranged.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Brendan Moore seeking a meeting with the Committee regarding the Pharmacy contract application process and the new pharmacy contract. Members agreed to write to the Chief Pharmaceutical officer about the issues raised and invite Mr Moore to the next Committee event for healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted correspondence from Infertility Network UK (INUK) and More to Life (MTL) seeking a meeting with the Committee regarding fertility services in Northern Ireland. Members agreed to invite them to meet the Committee.
The Committee noted a letter from Cruse Bereavement Care Northern Ireland seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite him to the next Committee event for healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Louis Boyle seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite him to the next Committee event for healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted an invitation for members to visit the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service headquarters. Members agreed to contact the Clerk if they wished to go on the visit.
The Committee noted correspondence regarding an event in London, ‘Adult social care reform: Shaping the future of care together.’ Members agreed to contact the Clerk if they wished to attend.
The Committee noted an invitation by the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence to their public discussions entitled, ‘Promoting Improvement in Regulation.’
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the Ophthalmic Services Bill and agreed to invite officials to brief members on the provisions of the bill.
The Committee noted a consultation document from the Department of Finance and Personnel, ‘Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2009’ and agreed to defer consideration until a future meeting.
The Committee noted a report from the British Heart Foundation, ‘National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR) – Annual Statistical Report 2009.’
The Committee noted a publication from the General Medical Council, ‘Tomorrow’s Doctors.’
4.36 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting, meeting adjourned as quorum lost.
4.37 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting, meeting resumed.
10. Any other business
No other business was discussed
4.38 p.m. the meeting moved to closed session.
11. Consideration of draft Committee report on obesity
The Committee considered and agreed paragraphs 1 –70 of the draft report.
12. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 17 September 2009 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber , Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.57 p.m.