COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 24 JUNE 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Mrs Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Jessica Golden-Alexander (Clerical Officer)
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
The meeting commenced at 2.01 p.m. in public session
1. Apologies
Apologies as above
2. Chairperson’s Business.
The Committee agreed to postpone a briefing on Adoption until autumn 2010.
The Committee noted that the Minister and the Chief Executive were not available to brief members on the closure of services at the Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey hospitals and that the Committee would be briefed by officials from the Department and the Trust .
3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 June 2010.
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2010 was agreed as amended.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the North South Feasibility Study and agreed to copy this to Mr Conall McDevitt MLA.
The Committee noted a response has been received from the Minister regarding a request for information from the Public Accounts Committee and agreed to forward the reply to the Public Accounts Committee.
The Committee noted information provided by the Justice Committee relating to the Desertcreat Training College. The Committee agreed to ask the Department to provide a written briefing on Desertcreat as soon as the capital position becomes clear.
The Committee noted legal advice regarding the Ministerial briefing and papers on the Revised Expenditure Plans 2010/11 and agreed to write to the Minister requesting a copy of the analysis of the Equality, good relations and anti poverty implications of the proposals.
The Committee noted correspondence relating to the delegated powers in the Safeguarding Board Bill.
2.05 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey joined the meeting.
2.07 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan joined the meeting.
5. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/201: The Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/201: The Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
6. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/ 214: The Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) (Revocation) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/ 214: The Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) (Revocation) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 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 Rule
The Committee took evidence on the Regulation and Improvement Authority (Independent Health Care) (Fees and Frequency of Inspection) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 from
Dr Jim Livingstone Director, Safety, Quality and Standards Directorate, DHSSPS
Mr Billy Baird Safety Quality and Standards Directorate, DHSSPS
Mr Phelim Quinn Director of Operations and Chief Nurse Adviser, RQIA
The Committee requested that the Department extend the consultation period on this statutory rule and report back to the Committee in October 2010. The Committee agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
2.21 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
The Committee considered the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Injury Benefits and Additional Voluntary Contributions), the Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
Mr Alex Easton made a declaration of interest that he had been a member of HSC pension.
Dr Kieran Deeny made a declaration of interest that he was a member of HSC pension.
Mrs Mary Bradley made a declaration of interest that she was a member of HSC pension.
The Committee considered the Contaminants in Food Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Committee agreed a Forward Work Programme for September to December 2010.
9. Evidence session on the Sunbeds Bill NIA 18/09
The Committee took evidence from
Mr Craig Allen Legislation Equality Branch, DHSSPS
Mr Seamus Camplisson Health Protection Branch, DHSSPS
Mr Nigel McMahon Chief Environmental Health Officer, DHSSPS
Ms Julie Stewart Health Protection Branch, DHSSPS
The Committee considered each of the Bills clauses
Clause 1 - Prohibition on allowing use of sunbeds by persons under 18
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 2 - Prohibition on sale or hire of sunbeds to persons under 18
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 3 - Remote sale or hire of sunbeds
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 4 - Prohibition on allowing unsupervised use of sunbeds
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 5 - Duty to provide information to sunbed users, or buyers etc.
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 6 - Duty to display information notice
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 7 - Prohibition on provision or display of other information
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 8 - Protective eyewear
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 9 - Requirements in relation to training
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 10 - Requirements in relation to sunbeds
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 11 - Exemption for medical treatment
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 12 - Enforcement by district councils
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 13 - Fixed penalties for certain offences
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 14 - Obstruction of officers
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 15 - Registration of sunbed premises, etc.
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 16 - Offences by bodies corporate etc.
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 17 – Regulations
The Committee were content with amendments to the clause proposed by the Department.
Clause 18 – Interpretation
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 19 – Commencement
The Committee were content with the clause.
Clause 20 - Short title
The Committee were content with the clause.
Schedule 1 - Powers of authorised officers
The Committee were content with the schedule.
Schedule 2 - Fixed penalties
The Committee were content with the schedule.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.33 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan left the meeting.
3.55 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan rejoined the meeting.
4.29 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
4.36 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.
4.46 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
4.51 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
5.01 p.m. Mrs Mary Bradley left the meeting.
10. European Commission Work Programme 2010: Health, Social Services and Public Safety
The Committee noted a briefing paper from Assembly Research on the European Commission Work Programme 2010: Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting a written brief on Swine Flu.
11. Correspondence.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Orchardville Society and the NOW project seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the groups to the next Long Gallery reception for Healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted an invitation from the Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Services to attend a Policy Briefing and Seminar on Thursday 1 st July 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding the publication of a Strategy for the Development of Psychological Therapy Services.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death (Sands), Tiny Life and Bliss charities regarding the maternity services review and agreed write to the Department about the issues raised.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Disability Social Care Forum seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the groups to the next Long Gallery reception for Healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted a briefing paper from the BMA Northern Ireland regarding tackling obesity in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted correspondence from Queen’s University regarding an audit report ‘’Monitoring care of colorectal cancer patients in Northern Ireland diagnosed 2006 (with comparisons 1996 & 2001)’’.
The Committee noted correspondence from KPMG regarding a report ‘A better pill to swallow – a global view of what works in healthcare’.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding its Report on the Preliminary Inquiry into Public Sector Efficiencies.
The Committee noted an invitation from Young People and Alcohol in Northern Ireland to attend a one day conference at Rathmore Grammar School, Thursday 16 th September 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding Programme for Government Delivery Reports which will be debated in the Assembly on Monday 28 th June 2010.
12. Any other business
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the introduction of Referral Management Applications.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department and the Executive regarding the effect of the emergency budget announced by the Coalition Government on the Department for Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding funding for FASA.
13. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 1 st July 2010 at 2.00 pm in room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.27 p.m.
Chairperson