COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
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 2.01 p .m. in public session.
1. Apologies.
No apologies were received.
2. Draft Minutes of the meetings held on 7 th October 2010 and 12 th October 2010.
The minutes of the meetings held on 7 th October 2010 and 12 th October 2010 were agreed.
3. Chair’s business
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding items being requested on prescription.
The Chairperson reported to members that the sub-committee to appoint a specialist adviser on budget had met and was content with the tender pack and the list of those people to be invited to tender. The Committee agreed to issue the tender pack to those on the select tender list. The Committee noted that the sub-committee would next meet on Tuesday 9 November 2010.
The Deputy Chairperson advised the Committee of a meeting she had had with victims/survivors of the Donagh abuse case and the Committee agreed to write to the RQIA regarding issues raised at the meeting.
The Deputy Chairperson suggested that members of the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee and the Justice Committee meet with victims/survivors of the Donagh abuse case following the publication of the RQIA interim report. The Committee agreed that the Clerk should look into the most appropriate mechanism for arranging such a meeting.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for information regarding Budget 2010 and the in-year budget for 2010/ 2011.
The Committee noted the annual report of the Chief Medical Officer.
2.04 p.m. Mrs Mary Bradley joined the meeting.
4. Sunbeds Bill NIA 18/09. Final Committee Report
The Committee noted that the Committee report on Sunbeds Bill had been agreed at its meeting on 12 th October 2010.
5. Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill NIA 25/09
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Fergal Bradley Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS
Ms Patricia Nicholl Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS
Ms Isobel Riddell Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS
The Committee discussed clauses 1-4 with the Department.
The Committee agreed to continue examination of the clauses of the Bill at its next meeting. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.21 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill joined the meeting.
2.40 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.05 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
6. Evidence session on Private Members Bill on Autism
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Arlene Cassidy Secretariat to All Party Assembly Group on Autism
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.36 p.m. Mrs Mary Bradley left the meeting.
3.39 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
3.40 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.41 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.
3.44 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting.
Mrs Michelle O’Neill made a declaration of interest that she was a member of the All Party Assembly Group on Autism.
4.05 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
4.09 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
4.18 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
4.18 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.
7. Evidence session on Regional Neurology Services with the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Patricia Donnelly Director of Acute Services
Ms Bernie Owens Co-Director ACCTS (Acute, Critical Care, Trauma Services)
Mr Stephen Cooke Consultant Neurosurgeon / Clinical Director Neurosciences and Rehab
Dr Jim Morrow Consultant Neurologist
Mr Gerry Atkinson Service Manager, Neurosurgery.
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
The Committee agreed to discuss this issue further at its meeting on 21 October 2010.
4.21 p.m. The Committee agreed that Mr Alex Easton would act as Chairperson.
4.21 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
4.21 p.m. Mr Alex Easton took the Chair.
4.45 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
4.46 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
4.57 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
5.02 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
5.04 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
5.04 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.
8. Date, Time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 21 th October 2010 at 2 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.26 p .m.
14 Oct 10 sub_committee / Menu
