HEALTH COMMITTEE TO MEET IN LONDONDERRY

The Assembly Health Committee is to hold its first Committee Meeting away from Stormont in Londonderry. The meeting will take place at 2.00 pm on Thursday 28 June 2007 in the Great Hall, Magee Campus, University of Ulster. The meeting will be open to the public.

Chairperson of the Committee, Iris Robinson MP, said: “The Health Committee has a vital role to play in examining the work of the Department and holding the Health Minister to account. I believe it is important for the public to learn about the role of the Committee and to have the opportunity to see it in action. The Committee is keen, therefore, to visit health and healthcare related facilities and to meet staff and patients. It has also decided to hold some of its meetings outside Parliament Buildings and to use venues across Northern Ireland.”

At the Meeting the Committee will listen to the concerns of the Health and Social Services Councils and the Pharmaceutical Society on new provisions relating to patient safety and dental services contained in the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The Committee will also hear evidence from Departmental officials on a proposed new strategy to tackle the problem of sexual violence.

Earlier in the day the Committee will visit a new hospital providing services for people with learning disability as well as wards in Altnagelvin Hospital and will meet with representatives of the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

Note to Editor:

Committee Membership:

Mrs Iris Robinson MP (DUP) (Chairperson); Ms Michelle O’Neill (SF) (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Thomas Buchanan (DUP); Rev Dr Robert Coulter (UUP); Dr Kieran Deeny (IHC); Mr Alex Easton (DUP); Mr Tommy Gallagher (SDLP); Mrs Carmel Hanna (SDLP); Mr John McCallister (UUP); Ms Carál Ní Chuilín (SF); Ms Sue Ramsey (SF)

The Clerk to the Committee is Mr Hugh Farren, Room 412, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX.
Tel No: 028 90521360 Fax No: 028 90521667
E-mail: committee.hssps@niassembly.gov.uk

Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX.
Tel No: 02890-521137/521396. Fax: 02890 521961.
Website Address – archive.niassembly.gov.uk
Email: info.office@niassembly.gov.uk