COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 10 MARCH 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Apologies:
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
Dr Janice Thompson (Assembly Research)
The meeting commenced at 2.04 p.m. in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2.06 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2. Evidence session on prescription charges
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Norman Morrow Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, DHSSPS
Mrs Emer Morrelli Primary Care Directorate, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.17 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting.
2.19 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher joined the meeting.
2.41 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
3.09 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.15 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
3.18 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Committee agreed that its final meeting will take place on Monday 21 st March 2011.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson would approve the minutes of the final meeting on behalf of the Committee.
The Committee noted the Patient Client Council report ‘Food for Thought – Views of Patients and the Public on Hospital Meals’.
3.24 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
4. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 3 March 2011
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 3 March 2011 were agreed .
3.43 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
5. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the independent inquiry into the Regional Oral Medicine Service.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding dedicated Social Workers within Children’s Services and agreed to copy to Claire McGill MLA who raised this issue with the Committee.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister commenting on a research paper prepared for the Agriculture Committee regarding key issues affecting rural communities.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding funding for Home Start schemes.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister informing the Committee that funding for the Positive Futures Lakeland Families Service in the Western Trust will not be available after March 2011 and agreed to write to the Department for further information.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing the Committee with a copy of Circular HSS (OP1) 1/93.
The Committee noted a response from the Southern Health & Social Care Trust providing a copy of its whistle blowing policy and a copy of a document detailing how staff can raise concerns.
The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Trust following the evidence session on the recall of dentistry patients.
The Committee noted a report on the reception for healthcare related groups on Thursday 3 March 2011 and agreed to follow up on the issues raised.
The Committee noted a response from the Northern Trust regarding management costs.
The Committee noted a letter provided by Tommy Gallagher which he sent to the Minister regarding neurology services.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing a link to the location of the statistics on the Department’s website.
6. Consideration of draft legacy and end of session reports.
The Committee agreed the end of session report for the 2010/2011 session.
The Committee agreed the legacy report for the mandate as amended.
7. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/48. The Official Feed and Food Controls (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
The Committee considered SR 2011/48 - The Official Feed and Food Controls (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
8. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/53. The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Committee considered SR 2011/53- The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20 11 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
9. Proposed Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pensions Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011. The Committee agreed that it was not content for the Department to prepare the Statutory Rule and also agreed to take evidence from Departmental officials at its next meeting.
Mr Pól Callaghan made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the HSSPS pension scheme.
The Committee considered the General Dental Services (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
10. Assembly Research paper - Provision of Emergency Care to Smaller Communities
The Committee was briefed by Dr Janice Thompson from Assembly Research Services on the Provision of Emergency Care to Smaller Communities.
4.02 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
11. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a consultation on the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the launch of the consultation on the New Strategy Direction for Alcohol and Drugs Phase 2.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel requesting a copy of any report on the Department’s consultation on the draft Budget received by the Committee and agreed to respond stating that this information has not as yet been received from the Department.
The Committee noted a letter from the General Medical Council regarding the consultation on “Good Management Practice: guidance for all doctors”.
The Committee noted a letter from Camowen Partnership Ltd regarding funding for the service they provide and agreed to respond advising that it does not become involved in individual cases and suggesting that they contact their constituency representatives.
The Committee noted an invitation for the Chair to attend the launch of a report on “Ageing and social exclusion among former politically motivated prisoners in Northern Ireland”.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding guidance on organ donation.
The Committee noted a letter from the Music Therapy Trust regarding budget cuts and agreed to write to the Health & Social Care Trusts about this matter.
The Committee noted a letter from Action Mental Health regarding funding and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.
The Committee noted that a copy of the Consumer Council’s election manifesto has been received in the Committee Office.
4.21 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
12. Budget 2011 – 2015.
The Committee noted that the Budget for 2011 – 2015 had been agreed by the Assembly.
13. Any Other Business
No other business was discussed.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Monday 21 st March 2011 at 2.00 p.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.30 p.m.
Chairperson
03 Mar 11 / Menu
