COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 21 MARCH 2011
ROOM 21, 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 Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Apologies:
None
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 2.07 p.m. in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Committee noted that as this was the last meeting of the mandate, the Chairperson & Deputy Chairperson would approve the minutes of the meeting.
2.10 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher joined the meeting.
2.11 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill joined the meeting.
2.11 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady joined the meeting.
3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 10 March 2011
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 10 March 2011 were agreed .
2.12 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing the Committee with the terms of reference for the RQIA review of radiology and agreed to write to the Department further on this matter.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about potential job losses due to the Budget.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Department’s policy in relation to anti TNF drugs and agreed to copy the Minister’s response to Arthritis Care NI who raised this matter with the Committee.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Department’s response to submissions made by Portugal and Greece about draft tobacco control legislation.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about stocks of seasonal and swine flu vaccines.
The Committee noted a response from the Health & Social Care Board regarding ambulance response times in rural areas.
The Committee noted a response from the Western Health & Social Care Trust regarding the Health and Social Care Board Report on the Trust which dealt with the x-ray backlog and missed cancer diagnoses.
The Committee noted responses regarding funding for the NI Music Therapy Trust from the Belfast, Southern, South Eastern and Western Health & Social Care Trusts and agreed to copy these responses to the NI Music Therapy Trust who raised this matter with the Committee.
The Committee noted a response from the Patient Client Council providing details of its functions.
The Committee noted an interim response from Diane Dodds MEP regarding the sharing of criminal records between EU countries.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing additional information regarding the Department’s Suicide Prevention Strategy.
5. Evidence session on the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pensions Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Phil McCusker Human Resource Directorate, DHSSPS
Mr Russell McGowan Human Resource Directorate, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.29 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan joined the meeting.
Mr Alex Easton made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the Health and Social Care pension scheme.
Dr Kieran Deeny made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the Health and Social Care pension scheme.
Mr Pól Callaghan made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the Health and Social Care pension scheme.
Mr Mickey Brady made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the civil service pension scheme.
2.39 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
2.42 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the Statutory Rule.
2.51 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
2.51 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting.
6. Evidence session on proposed statutory rule regarding trade union representatives on the boards of health & social care organisations.
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Diane Taylor Director of Human Resources, DHSSPS
Ms Catherine Donnelly Human Resources Directorate, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.55 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
2.57 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
The Committee agreed that it was not content for the Department to prepare the Statutory Rule.
7. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/55: The Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
The Committee considered SR 2011/55: The Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees ) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule.
8. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/86: The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Committee considered SR 2011/86: The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
9. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/103: The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Committee considered SR 2011/103: The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the publication of new minimum care standards for residential family centres.
The Committee noted a letter from the Department regarding the draft Health & Social Care Framework.
The Committee noted a letter from the Department informing the Committee of its intention to merge the Beeches Management Centre and the Nursing Education & Development Consortium into the Business Services Organisations.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Justice regarding the transfer of responsibility for some tribunals to the Department of Justice.
The Committee noted a letter from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry NI Immunology sub group seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to advise the group to contact the new Committee in the next mandate.
The Committee noted a letter from the British Heart Foundation regarding its document ‘The Pulse’.
The Committee noted a letter from the ACCORD Catholic Marriage Care Service regarding funding.
The Committee noted a letter from Hebron House residential home regarding an individual case and agreed to write to the organisation advising that the Committee does not become involved in individual cases and suggests it contact their constituency representatives.
The Committee noted the HSC Pension Scheme Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2010.
The Committee noted an NIAO report ’Promoting Good Nutrition through Healthy School Meals’.
The Committee noted the HSC Business Services Organisation Annual Report 2009/10.
The Committee noted a letter from the Department informing the Committee of changes to charges for residential care.
The Committee noted a letter from Jonathan Bell MLA regarding concerns raised by a constituent about care homes in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a letter from Down District Council regarding funding for Homestart and agreed to forward a response from the Minister regarding the matter to the Council.
Mr Jim Wells made a declaration of interest that he was a member of Down District Council
3.12 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.
11. Any Other Business
The Chairperson thanked members and staff for their contribution to the work of the Committee over the mandate.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
This was the final Committee meeting of the mandate.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.16 p.m.
Chairperson
10 Mar 11 / Menu
