PRESS RELEASE

30 April 2008

PN: HSSPS 07/08

ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE VISITS AMBULANCE HEADQUARTERS

The Assembly Health Committee visited the NI Ambulance Service Headquarters at Knockbracken today. The Committee held discussions with Ambulance Trust staff and toured the Regional Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre and the Regional Ambulance Training Centre.

Chairperson of the Committee, Iris Robinson MP, said: “The Health Committee believes it is important to hear at first hand from staff and patients and to visit health and social care related facilities right across Northern Ireland. The Ambulance Service provides vital lifesaving emergency services 24 hours a day and we look forward to seeing the Command and Control Centre which deals with around 116,000 emergency calls each year.

“The Committee is also keen to be accessible to the people of Northern Ireland and hold meetings outside Parliament Buildings. 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.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

At 2.30 pm, the Committee held its regular public Committee meeting in Knockbracken Hall, Knockbracken Healthcare Park. The Committee were briefed by the Chief Executives of the Eastern and Western Health and Social Services Boards about progress on implementing the recommendations in the recent report of the Inquiry into the deaths of Madeleine and Lauren O’Neill. The Committee were also briefed about the work of the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

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