COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Apologies:
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
In Attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
Dr Janice Thompson (Assembly Research)
Ms Kiera McDonald (Assembly Legal Services)
The meeting commenced at 2.01 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Paul Girvan to the Committee.
The Committee noted a letter from the Lord Chief Justice regarding the decision of the trial judge in the Donagh abuse case. Members agreed that the Chair and Deputy Chair should arrange to meet the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee for Justice to discuss the way forward.
The Committee noted a revised rota for members’ attendance at informal lunchtime meetings.
The Committee noted that the next Committee meeting would be preceded by an informal lunchtime meeting with Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke and the Stroke Association.
The Committee noted that the RCN Bus is being launched at Stormont on Monday20 September.
The Committee agreed that it would receive a briefing regarding the private members bill on Autism from Dominic Bradley MLA on 30 September. The Committee also agreed to take evidence from departmental officials on adoption.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting the Budget 2010 spending proposals for the next 4 years sent to the Department for Finance & Personnel.
The Committee agreed to publish briefing papers received from the Department regarding the budget on the Committee website. The Committee also agreed to make these papers available to the public gallery.
The Committee agreed to ask Assembly Research to brief it on options regarding specialist advice on health budgets.
2.12 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meetings held on 9 September 2010 & 14 September 2010
The minutes of meetings held on 9 September 2010 & 14 September 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing an update on the work of the Ministerial Sub Committee on Children
The Committee noted a response from OFMDFM providing a timeframe for the review of existing disability legislation.
The Committee noted a response from the Department of Justice to concerns about moving responsibility for health tribunals to the Department of Justice. The committee agreed to write to the Department of Justice asking it not to use court buildings to hold health tribunals.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Stephen Murtagh and agreed to write to the Minister regarding issues raised.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Trust about management costs and Cash Equivalent Transfer Value of pensions.
2.28 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
2.42 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
2.43 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
2.48 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
2.50 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2.51 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
5. Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill NIA 25/09
Briefing from Assembly Research
The committee was briefed by Assembly Research on the Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill.
3.05 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
3.15 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
Evidence session with the NSPCC
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Neil Anderson National Head of Services, NSPCC
Mr Colin Reid Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC
Ms Sue Woolmore Local Safeguarding Children Board Adviser, NSPCC
Mr Colm Elliott Assistant Director Children's Services, NSPCC
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.30 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.44 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.44 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
Evidence session with Children in Northern Ireland/ Voice of Young People in Care
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Pauline Leeson Children in Northern Ireland
Ms Ethel McNeill Children in Northern Ireland
Ms Vivian McConvey Voice of Young People in Care
Ms Alicia Toal Voice of Young People in Care
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.18 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
4.18 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
4.22 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.27 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
4.41 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
4.41 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.
6. Statutory Rule SR 2010/286: 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
The Committee considered SR 2010/286: 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 had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
4.43 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
7. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/292: The Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and other Substances (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/292: The Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and other Substances (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.
8. Proposed Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the Fire and Rescue Services (2006 Order) (Commencement No 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Enforcement of the European Parliament and Council Regulation on Food Flavourings and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Official Feed and Food Controls (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
9. Sunbeds Bill NIA 18/09
Members noted that the Committee had completed clause by clause consideration of the Sunbeds Bill NIA 18/09 at its meeting on Tuesday 14 th September 2010.
10. Consultations
The Committee noted the Department’s consultation on its 10 year strategy for Social Work in Northern Ireland 2010-2020 and agreed to ask the Department to provide the Committee with a written brief on the outcome of the consultation.
The Committee noted the Department’s consultation on the Equality Impact Assessment on its key policy proposals for the development of new legislation which is being called at this stage the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill and agreed to ask the Department to provide the Committee with a written brief on the outcome of the consultation.
The Committee noted the Department’s consultation on guidance on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland and agreed to ask the Department to provide the Committee with a written brief on the outcome of the consultation.
The Committee noted the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust’s consultation on its proposal to reorganise the delivery of acute services in Belfast and agreed to ask the Trust to provide the Committee with a written brief on the outcome of the consultation.
The Committee noted the Department’s final Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a consultation on a 10 year strategy and action plan on Skin Cancer prevention and agreed to write to the Department for further information.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding draft guidance for the medical profession regarding donation after cardiac death.
The Committee noted that the Department has launched a public consultation on the Speech, Language and Communication Therapy Action Plan.
4.49 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
Mr Jim Wells made a declaration of interest that he was a members of Down District Council
The Committee noted that the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has extended its consultation on mental health services, disability services and emergency care in the Downe hospital.
11. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Chief Nursing Officer Martin Bradley regarding the development of a Clinical Nutrition Strategy.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister providing information on the Department’s input to the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.
The Committee noted a report from the RQIA on the Review of GP Out-Of-Hours Services and agreed to consider this in more detail following Christmas recess.
The Committee noted a letter from Praxis regarding the voluntary sector delivering social care services and agreed to forward this to the Department for comment. The Committee agreed to ask Assembly Research Services for further detail on this issue.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Royal College of Psychiatrists regarding the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol. The Committee agreed to request an update on the review of Investing for Health from the Department.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Royal College of Psychiatrists regarding the Minister’s proposed amendments to the Mental Health Order following the Donagh abuse case and agreed to consider this at its next meeting.
The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from Action for Children to the Minister regarding the Comprehensive Spending Review process in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed to defer making a decision on which groups should present evidence on the draft Budget 2010 until the timetable and time available to the Committee is clarified.
The Committee noted correspondence from David Thompson about difficulties recently qualified physiotherapy graduates have finding employment and agreed to write to the Department regarding this matter and copy the letter to the Committee for Education and Learning.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal lunchtime meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from the Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to the next reception for healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted a letter from the Church of Ireland Board for Social Action seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to the next reception for healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted correspondence from Tom Sullivan of the CharteredSociety of Physiotherapy seeking a copy of the Department’s presentation to the Committee regarding budget on Thursday 9 September 2010. The Committee noted that it had agreed to make this information publicly available.
5.00 p.m. The Committee meeting moved to closed session.
12. Briefing from Assembly Legal Services on North/ South feasibility study
The Committee was briefed by Assembly Legal Services regarding its request for a copy of the North/ South Feasibility Study. The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding this matter.
13. Any Other Business
The Committee agreed to write to the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust regarding its decision to reduce the number of beds available for the Regional Neurology service.
The Committee agreed to write to the Health& Social Care Board regarding a reduction in the allowance paid for operating General Practitioners surgeries.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the Positive Futures project.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the terms of reference and timetable for a PEDU study of the Department.
14. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 23rd September 2010 at 2.00 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.34 p.m.
14 Sept 10 / Menu
