COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 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)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Apologies:
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
In Attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2.04 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill joined the meeting.
2. Evidence session on management structures, salaries and travel costs in Health & Social Care Trusts
The Committee took evidence from
Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS
Mr John Compton Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board
Mr Colm Donaghy Chief Executive, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Ms Mairead McAlinden Chief Executive, Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Ms Mary Hinds Director of Nursing & AHPs, Public Health Agency
2.05 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
2.12 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting.
2.17 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey joined the meeting.
3.33 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with further information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3. Chair’s business
The Committee noted that Mrs Mary Bradley was leaving the Committee and agreed to write to thank her for her contribution to its work.
The Chairperson reminded members that the Committee’s next meeting would take place in Craigavon Area Hospital.
The Chairperson reminded members that the Committee had agreed to hold a reception for healthcare related groups on Tuesday 30 th November 2010.
4. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 11 th November 2010
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 11 th November 2010 were agreed.
The Committee noted that there had been an error in the decision made regarding Clause 12 of the Safeguarding Board Bill at its last meeting. The Committee considered this clause again.
Clause 12 ( Arrangements to safeguard and promote welfare of children )
Question: That the Committee is content with the clause subject to the proposed amendments agreed with the Department, put and agreed to.
4.12 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
5. Matters arising
The Committee agreed to invite the National Association of People Abused in Childhood to an informal lunchtime meeting.
The Committee noted a report on an informal meeting with the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence.
6. Budget 2010
The Committee noted responses from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, RCN Northern Ireland, BMA (NI) and Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers to the Committee’s request for a definition of front line services.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on progress against Public Service Agreements and further information on the 2010/2011 budget.
7. RQIA report on the Donagh abuse case
The Committee considered the RQIA report on the Donagh abuse case and agreed to meet informally with victims of abuse alongside members of the Committee for Justice.
8. Regional Neurology Services
The Committee discussed changes to the Regional Neurology Service at the Royal Hospital and agreed to return to this matter at its meeting on Thursday 2 nd December 2010.
9. Statutory Rule: SR 2010/375: The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/375: The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted a summary research document from Boardroom NI regarding Boards and Governance.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Ulster Farmers’ Union highlighting the success of the recent health checks for farmers at Ballymena Livestock Mart.
Mr John McCallister made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the Ulster Farmers Union.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Patient and Client Council seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the PCC to an informal lunchtime meeting.
The Committee noted correspondence from Contact a Family Northern Ireland seeking a meeting with the Committee about the effects of possible cuts to their organisation’s budget and agreed to consider this when the budget timetable is clarified.
The Committee noted a letter from Ms Mary Casey seeking a meeting with the Committee about carers and respite care and agreed to write to Ms Casey for further details.
The Committee noted correspondence from Save the Mid Campaign requesting a meeting with the Committee and agreed to write to the Department for an update on the Accident & Emergency Unit at Antrim Area Hospital.
The Committee noted the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2010.
4.34 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
11. Any Other Business
No other business was discussed.
12. Date, Time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 25 th November 2010 at 2 p.m. in the Board Room, Craigavon Area Hospital
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.38 p.m.
11 Nov 10 / Menu
