COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Apologies:
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey 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)
The meeting commenced at 2.04 p .m. in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies as above.
2.05 p.m. Mr Alex Easton joined the meeting.
2. Chairperson’s Business.
The Committee noted that the lunchtime meeting with Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke and the Stroke Association on 14 October 2010 has been postponed to 9 December and agreed to arrange meetings to consider the appointment of a specialist adviser on 14 October and 21 October 2010.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2010.
The minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a letter from the Committee for Culture, Arts & Leisure regarding funding for Special Olympics Ulster and agreed to forward a letter to the Minister.
2.13 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill joined the meeting.
5. Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill NIA 25/09.
Evidence session with the Bradford Safeguarding Board
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Kath Tunstall Strategic Director, Services to Children & Young People, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Mr Paul Hill Manager of Bradford Safeguarding Children Board
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.37 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
2.38 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
2.47 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
2.54 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
3.14 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
3.20 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
3.20 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
Evidence session with Professor Jan Horwath
The Committee took evidence from:
Professor Jan Horwath Sheffield University
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
3.26p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
3.50 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.00 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
Evidence session with the Children’s Commissioner
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Patricia Lewsley Commissioner for Children and Young People
Ms Jacqueline Melville Policy & Research Officer, NICCY
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with further information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
The Committee noted that the post of chairperson for the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland had been advertised. Members expressed concerns about the remuneration for the post and agreed to invite Departmental officials to explain the process of recruitment at the next Committee meeting.
4.04 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
4.15 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
4.17 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
4.17 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
4.47 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
4.54 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
4.56 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
6. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/321: The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/321: The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food 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. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/322: The Food Irradiation (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/322: The Food Irradiation (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. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/323: The Feed (Sampling & Analysis & Specified Undesirable Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/323: The Feed (Sampling & Analysis & Specified Undesirable Substances) 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.
9. Correspondence .
The Committee noted a letter from Down District Council expressing concerns regarding the South Eastern Trust’s Consultation on “Safety, Quality and Sustainability - Modernising Health and Social Care Services in the South Eastern Trust”.
Mr Jim Wells made a declaration of interest that he was a member of Down District Council Health Committee and had been involved in drafting the letter.
4.58 p.m. Mr Jim Wells stood down from the Chair.
4.58 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill took the chair.
4.48 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
5.04 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department supporting Down District Council’s request for the consultation to be reopened and asking for a written briefing on this matter.
5.17 p.m. Mr Jim Wells resumed the chair.
The Committee noted a copy of a court judgment regarding the failure of the Western Trust to carry out assessments and provide services for a mother and her autistic child. The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding this matter.
The Committee noted a briefing paper from Parkinsons UK regarding the protection of vital frontline services within Health and Social Care and agreed to consider this when the Committee carries out scrutiny of Budget 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Alzheimer’s Society seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to the next reception for health related groups.
10. Any Other Business
The Committee agreed to follow up a letter to the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust regarding the Regional Neurology Service.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding procedures for cancelling hospital appointments in exceptional circumstances.
11. Date, time and place of the next meeting.
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 7 th October 2010 at 2.00 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.33 p .m.
23 Sept 10 / Menu
