Present: Dr J Hendron (Chairman)
Ms P Armitage
Mr P Berry
Mrs J Carson
Mr T Gallagher (Deputy Chairman)
Ms C Hanna
Mr J Kelly
Mr A McFarland
Ms M McWilliams
Ms S Ramsey

Apologies: Mrs I Robinson

In Attendance: Mr G Martin, Mrs V Artt,

Mr D Harkin, Mrs K McFerran

Dr J Hendron took the Chair.

1. Chairman's Opening Remarks

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman wished Mrs Robinson a speedy recovery from her recent operation.

2. Minutes of the Last Two Meetings

Agreed: The minutes of 10 January 2000 were agreed. The minutes and accompanying Annex A of the meeting of 15 December 1999 will be amended respectively to include the following two insertions:

1. The Minister should meet with the Committee before a decision is taken regarding maternity services in Belfast.

2. Deprivation is not a one-community issue.

3. Matters Arising

i. The Clerk has issued details of the Food Safety Promotion Board and has written to Central Secretariat seeking clarification of the relationship between the Board and the Committee.

ii. The question of representation of the Committee to the media by individual Members was raised. The Chairman advised that while Members could speak to the media in relation to the work of the Committee, they were not authorised to speak on its behalf.

4. Maternity Services in Belfast

1. Agreed: In order to inform the Committee's response to the Minister, the Clerk will arrange for a panel (made up of clinicians and support/liaison group representatives) from each of the Belfast City and Royal Victoria Hospitals to meet separately with the Committee at its private session scheduled for Wednesday 19 January. The meeting with the Northern HSS Board originally arranged for the same day will be deferred until a later date.

2. The Clerk will obtain copies of the McKenna and Donaldson reports.

5. Presentation by the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) for Northern Ireland

Panel Members: Mr Douglas Smyth, Chairman
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive
Mrs Maureen Gardner, Director of Communications
Mr Kevin Doherty, Corporate Services Manager

The officials entered the meeting at 2.10 PM and gave the Committee a comprehensive presentation on the work of the HPA. There followed a question-and-answer session, which is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman thanked the panel for their presentation and they left the meeting at 3.27 PM.

6. Presentation by the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

Panel Members: Mr Bill Keyes, Vice-Chairman
Mr Jim McDermott, Head of Corporate Services
Mr Ken Gibson, Director of Finance
Mr Peter Craig, Assistant Chief Fire Officer
Mr Colin Lammey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer

The officials entered the meeting at 3.45 PM and, following a comprehensive presentation, there was a question-and-answer session, which is summarised in Annex B. The Chairman thanked the panel and they left the meeting at 5.05 PM.

7. Future Work Programme

Wednesday 19 January
Belfast City Hospital 1.15 PM
The RVH, Belfast 2.15 PM
Eastern HSS Board 3.15 PM

Wednesday 26 January
Southern HSS Board
Western HSS Board

Wednesday 2 February
NHS Federation

There will be an additional meeting with the Minister, probably towards the end of January, to discuss the Departmental budget for 2000/20001.

8. Date and Time of Next meeting

The next meeting will be at 1.00 PM on Wednesday 19 January in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

DR J HENDRON
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

10 January 2000 / Menu / 19 January 2000