1. Chairman's Opening Remarks
2. Declaration of Member's Interests
3. Minutes of Last Meetiing
4. Matters Arising
5. Subordinate Legislation
6. Inquiry
7. Response to Consultation Paper
8. Any Other Business
9. Date and Time of Next Meeting

Present: Dr J Hendron (Chairman)
Rev R Coulter
Ms C Hanna
Mr J Kelly
Mr A McFarland
Ms M McWilliams
Ms S Ramsey

Apologies: Ms P Armitage
Mr T Gallagher (Deputy Chairman)
Mrs I Robinson

In Attendance: Mr G Martin Mr D Harkin
Mrs V Artt Mrs K McFerran
Mr J Ruane

Dr Hendron took the Chair at 2.06 pm.

Private Session

1. The Chairman gave a warm welcome to the Rev. Robert Coulter, who replaces Mrs Joan Carson on the Committee with effect from 11 September 2000.

2. The Chairman informed members of his meeting on Monday, 11 September with Dr Maurice Hayes, Chair of the Acute Hospitals Review panel, the purpose of which was to work out the best way for the Committee and the panel to meet to discuss the basic principles underpinning the Review.

Agreed: The Committee Clerk will liaise with his counterpart on the Review panel to agree a structured agenda for the meeting.

3. The Chairman reported on his meeting on Tuesday, 12 September with Prof. Robert Stout of Queen's University's Dept of Geriatric Medicine, which had been very informative. He commended the 'Report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care' and noted that this subject could be touched on in parallel with elements of the Committee's future work programme.

Agreed: The Chairman will refer a copy of Prof. Stout's briefing paper on Health Care of the Elderly to the Minister and request that attention be focused on implementing urgently its main recommendations.

4. Agreed: The Committee acknowledged the commitment by the Minister in her press statement of 11 September to reducing waiting lists through a new Framework for Action. However, in view of the Committee's deep concerns on this matter, the Chairman will write to the Minister to request regular updates on progress over the coming weeks.

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Rev. Robert Coulter declared no related interests.

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The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

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1. The Chairman reminded members of the crucial importance of familiarising themselves with the principles contained in 'Fit for the Future: A New Approach' and 'Putting it Right', before the Committee's deliberations on the forthcoming reviews of both the primary care sector and acute hospital services.

2. Agreed: In order to pre-empt members' queries on matters arising from the previous week's minutes, the Clerk will provide a weekly update on all outstanding action points for the Chairman's brief.

3. The Committee is very concerned about the confusion that continues to surround the recent cryptosporidiosis outbreak.

Agreed: The Chairman will write to the Chief Executive of the EHSS Board, the responsible authority, to convey the Committee's concerns and to request urgent clarification on the entire matter.

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i. Question put and agreed to:

That the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee has considered Statutory Rule 2000 No. 233 - Animal Feedingstuffs from Belgium (Control) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and has no objection to the Rule.

ii. Question put and agreed to:

That the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee has considered Statutory Rule No. 235 - Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and has no objection to the Rule.

iii. Question put and agreed to:

That the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee has considered Statutory Rule 2000 No. 234 - Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and has no objection to the Rule.

The Clerk will report immediately the Committee's consideration of the above-mentioned Rules to the Business Office for inclusion in the Assembly's Minutes of Proceedings.

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6. Inquiry into Residential and Secure Accommodation for Children in Northern Ireland: Oral Evidence from Dr Ewan McEwan of the Young People's Centre

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting at 2.26 pm Dr McEwan, who then read from a comprehensive memorandum that had been copied to the Committee. This was followed by a question-and-answer session, and the discussions will be recorded in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the witness for his very worthwhile contribution, and Dr McEwan left the meeting at 3.52 pm.

Agreed: Dr McEwan expressed concern at the way in which the Court Service operates in Northern Ireland in relation to child care - particularly the frequency with which professionals have to attend court hearings - and suggested that the legislation in Scotland covering this area is interpreted differently. The Clerk will contact Dr McEwan for further details. He will also obtain information on an innovative community-based commissioning practice in Scotland that Dr McEwan referred to.

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Agreed: The Clerk will write to welcome the proposals contained in the consultation document and request that the Committee be kept updated on any developments.

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1. Agreed: In relation to a letter from Mrs Robinson querying the future of Plastic Surgery at the Ulster Hospital, it was agreed that more information was first required. The Clerk will write to the Chief Executive of the EHSS Board to seek clarification of the position, especially in light of the Department's recently announced review of acute services.

Mrs Robinson's letter raised a further concern in relation to the failure to implement a Business Case from the RVH and Ulster Hospitals for the appointment of an ophthalmologist due to financial constraints. The Chairman will write to the Minister to seek clarification.

2. Agreed: The Committee will accede to a request by NIPSA - as the trade union representing the vast majority of social workers in Northern Ireland - to provide oral evidence for its current inquiry into residential care and secure accommodation for children. The Clerk will arrange a suitable date.

3. Agreed: As a result of a concern raised by Mr Kelly in relation to the potential contamination of land released for ordinary usage that was formerly used for local authority waste management, the Chairman will write to the Minister of the Environment to request details of the relevant statutory safeguards.

4. The Clerk of Bills has written to say that the Speaker has not expressed an opinion on the initiation of legislation by Committees.

5. The Committee noted a request from Assembly Member Mick Murphy requesting that it meet with the Donard Commissioning Group. The Clerk will write to advise that the Committee will contact the Group again when it begins to examine the Minister's proposals for primary care services.

6. The Committee noted Ards Borough Council's letter requesting a meeting to discuss additional funding for the Ulster Hospital.

7. The Committee noted a request for a meeting from the Multi-Cultural Centre in relation to the requirements under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

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The next meeting will be at 2.00 pm on Wednesday, 20 September 2000 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

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The meeting ended at 4.30 pm.

DR J HENDRON
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
September 2000

6 September 2000 / Menu / 20 September 2000