COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 02 DECEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Apologies:
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
In Attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Chair’s business
The Committee noted a copy of Mr Paul Girvan’s Declaration of Interests.
The Committee noted that a report on an informal reception for healthcare related groups held on Tuesday 30 th November would be prepared for the next Committee meeting.
The Committee noted that an informal meeting with victims and survivors of the Donagh abuse case had been arranged for Thursday 16 th December.
The Committee agreed to propose a Committee motion:
‘That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to fund hospice services in line with the funding provided by the Scottish Government’.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding waiting lists.
3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 25 h November 2010
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 25 th November 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Board regarding the Hospital Standardised Mortality Rates.
The Committee noted a response from the Chief Executive of thePublic Health Agency regarding the vaccination of children in special schools and agreed to write to the Public Health Agency for further information.
The Committee noted responses from the Belfast Trust and Northern Trust regarding language testing carried out during the recruitment process for doctors and other health professionals from EEA countries and agreed to write to the Trusts for details of how many applicants for jobs from EEA countries have been unsuccessful because their English language proficiency has not been adequate.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding Budget 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the consultation on Dental Contracts and agreed to write to the Department for further information.
5. The Regulation and Improvement Authority (Independent Health Care) (Fees and Frequency of Inspection) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Evidence session with the British Dental Association (NI)
The Committee took evidence from
Mr Seamus Killough - Chair BDA Northern Ireland Council
Mr Peter Crooks - Chair Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee
Ms Claudette Christie - Director, BDA Northern Ireland
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.43 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2.48 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
2.51 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
2.54 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
3.00 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.25 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
3.29 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.
Evidence session with Departmental Officials
The Committee took evidence from
Dr Jim Livingstone Director - Safety, Quality & Standards Directorate
Mr Donncha O'Carolan - Chief Dental Officer
Mr Billy Baird - Safety, Quality & Standards Directorate
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
The Committee agreed to request that departmental officials hold a further meeting with the British Dental Association (NI) to resolve issues regarding this statutory rule and report back to the Committee on this matter.
3.47 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
3.49 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
3.50 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
3.55 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
6. Statutory Rule: SR 2010/376 The Health and Personal Social Services (Primary Medical Services Performers Lists) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009
The Committee took evidence from
Mr Robert Kirkwood Primary Care Directorate, DHSSPS
Ms Siobhan McKelvy Primary Care Directorate, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued and the officials agreed to provide further information on Access NI checks. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
The Committee considered SR 2010/376 The Health and Personal Social Services (Primary Medical Services Performers Lists) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule.
7. Regional Neurology Services
The Committee considered a response from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust regarding Regional Neurology Services at the Royal Hospital and agreed to return to this matter at a future meeting.
Evidence session on Autism Bill with departmental officials
The Committee took evidence from
Dr Maura Briscoe Mental Health & Disability Policy Directorate, DHSSPS
Dr Ian McMaster - Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Hilary Harrison - Social Services Officer, DHSSPS
Mr Peter Deazley - Learning Disability Unit, DHSSPS
4.37 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.41 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
4.41 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
4.44 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
4.57 p.m. The Committee agreed that Mr Alex Easton would act as Chair.
4.57 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
4.58 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
5.19 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
5.19 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
5.38 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
9. Correspondence
The Committee noted a summary of the Patient Client Council report ‘The People’s Priorities’.
The Committee noted a letter from the Parents Advice Centre regarding a presentation made to the All Party Assembly Group on Children and Young People.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Health and Social Care Board and Local Commissioning Groups requesting a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal lunchtime meeting.
The Committee noted correspondence fromthe Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to the next reception for healthcare related groups.
The Committee noted a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council April 2009- March 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Public Accounts Committee regarding a report on “The resettlement of long-stay patients from learning disability hospitals” and agreed to request a written briefing from the Department on this issue. The Committee also agreed to write to the Society of Parents and Friends of Muckamore Abbey seeking its views on the matter.
10. Any Other Business
No other business was discussed.
11. Date, Time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 9 th December 2010 at 2 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.42 p.m.
25 Nov 10 / Menu
