COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Pól Callaghan 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
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
Mr Tim Moore (Assembly Research)
Dr Janice Thompson (Assembly Research)
The meeting commenced at 2.06 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Chair’s business
The Committee noted the Executive’s draft Budget 2011-2015. The Committee agreed to invite the Minister to brief it on the Department’s draft Budget at its meeting on 13 th January 2011.
The Committee agreed to hold an additional meeting on Tuesday 18 January to take evidence from expert witnesses on the draft Budget.
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding funding for Homestart.
2.12 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.
2.12 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher leftthe meeting.
3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 9 th December 2010
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 9 th December 2010 were agreed.
4. Autism Bill NIA 2/10
The Committee received a briefing from Assembly Research on the Autism Bill.
2.17 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
2.19 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting.
2.19 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey joined the meeting.
2.24 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill joined the meeting.
2.31 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2.39 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
2.41 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.
Evidence session with the Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Network
The Committee took evidence from:
Mrs Fionnuala Mc Andrew Director of Social Care & Children, Health & Social Care Board
Dr Stephen Bergin Chair, Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Network, Public Health Agency
Mr Kieran McShane Commissioning Head, Children and Families, Health & Social Care Board & Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Network project team member
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.29 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.40 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
3.47 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
4.06 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.
4.09 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.11 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting.
4.18 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
4.20 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
4.25 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
4.25 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
4.25 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill took the Chair.
5. Regional Neurology Services
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding changes to Regional Neurology Services at the Royal Hospital and agreed to write back to the Minister for further information. The Committee also agreed to write to the HSC Trusts regarding their protocols for consultation.
4.30 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
4.36 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
6. Forward Work Programme
The Committee agreed its Forward Work Programme.
7. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Trust regarding changes being made to Cystic Fibrosis services in the Allen Ward and Cherry Tree House at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The Committee agreed to invite the Minister and HSC Trust representatives to give evidence on the decision making and consultation process in relation to the re-organisation of services.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Senior Salaries Review and agreed to seek further information.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding an update on the Swine Flu Virus.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding an update on the implementation of the recommendations in the Committee’s report on its inquiry into Suicide & Self Harm.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the cost of the proposed Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding funding for the Positive Futures Lakeland Families Service and agreed to seek a further update from the Minister in February 2011.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the ownership of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Training Centre in Boucher Crescent, Belfast and agreed to copy the Minister’s response to the Committee for Justice who raised this matter with the Committee.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek clarification on a number of issue in relation to the draft Budget 2011-2015.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the impact of changes to the powers of the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the health service in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding funding for the NEXUS Institute and agreed to copy the Minister’s response to Nexus.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding anti-TNF drugs and agreed to seek further information.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding consultation with the BMA on the Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the availability of contact lens solution on prescription and agreed to copy the Minister’s response to Advice NI who raised the matter with the Committee. The Committee also agreed to seek further information from the Department.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the reduction in the number of treatments covered by the minor ailments service and agreed to copy the Minister’s response to the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee who raised the matter with the Committee.
The Committee noted a letter from the Family Group Conference Forum clarifying the remit of Family Group Conferencing.
The Committee noted a report on the informal meeting with Northern Ireland Chest, Heart & Stroke and the Stroke Association.
4.49 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
4.54 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.
5. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of the Department’s intention to consult on the recommendations arising from the Inter-Departmental Review of Death Certification Processes in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister providing an analysis of responses received to its consultation on the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill: Equality Impact Assessment.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister providing a copy the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland Investing Activity Report for November 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the BMA’s concerns over mixed martial arts boxing and agreed to write back to the CAL Committee on this matter.
The Committee noted correspondence from William Humphrey MLA on behalf of constituents seeking a meeting with the Chair to discuss suicides in the Greater Shankill area and agreed to advise Mr Humphrey that the Committee does not deal with individual cases and that he should pursue any issues himself directly with the Minister.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Stephen Murtagh regarding his request to meet with the Minister and agreed to write again to the Minister on this matter. The Committee also agreed that the Clerk would provide further information on this issue.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Andrew Galwey raising concerns that there is not a proper legal framework for the collection of statistical information by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and agreed to forward the letter to the Department for comment.
5.15 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
6. Any other Business
The Committee agreed to write to the Northern Trust for clarification on any planned changes to A&E at the Causeway hospital.
7. Evidence session with Autism NI/ Parents Autism Lobby
5.17 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
5.17 p.m. The Committee agreed that Mr Alex Easton would act as chairperson.
5.17 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Arlene Cassidy Chief Executive, Autism NI
Ms Paula Hanratty Director of Family Support, Autism NI
Ms Audrey Mullan Autism Resource Officer, Autism NI
Mr David Heatley Chairperson, Parents Autism Lobby
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
6.11 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
8. Date, Time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 13 th January at 11 a.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 6.18 p.m.
Chairperson
09 Dec 10 / Menu
