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

Apologies:
Mr J Kelly
Mrs I Robinson

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

Dr Hendron took the Chair at 2.03 pm.

1. Chairman's Opening Remarks

The Chairman advised members of an invitation received from Brook Belfast to visit their offices.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

1. The Chairman has written to the Minister in relation to the proposals for Muckamore Abbey Hospital. Ms Imelda McAuley, a Legal Advisor to the Assembly who specializes in Human Rights, has also responded to the Chairman indicating that the proposed resettlement of patients from the hospital does not involve a Human Rights issue, provided the alternative accommodation for the patients is adequate.

Agreed: The Chairman will write to the Chief Executive of the North and West Belfast Trust on two counts. First, to point up the Committee's confusion regarding the consultation process for the planned resettlement of the patients; and also to emphasize the Committee's concern that there be sufficient supportive resources within the community to make the patients' transition from the institutional setting a smooth and happy one.

2. Members have been issued with the Budget baseline figures.
3. Members were issued at the meeting with a paper on the Capitation Formulae that had been prepared by an Assembly Researcher. The Clerk will request the attendance of a Departmental Official should further clarification be required.

4. Inquiry into Residential and Secure Accommodation for Children in NI: Oral Evidence from NIPSA

Panel Members: Mr Brian Campfield

Mr John Gillespie

Ms Eileen Webster

The Chairman welcomed the panel to the meeting at 2.17 pm, after which they gave a presentation based on a memorandum that had been copied to the Committee. This was followed by a question-and-answer session. The entire proceedings are recorded in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the panel, and they left the meeting at 3.41 pm.

Agreed: The Clerk will invite a written submission to the Inquiry from both the Probation Service and the Youth Service section of the Department of Education, with particular emphasis on the implications for the Residential (Secure) Care sector of the Criminal Justice Review recommendations.

Ms McWilliams left the meeting at 3.05 pm.

Private Session

5. Acute Hospital Review Group Meeting

The Committee agreed the draft list of discussion points for the forthcoming meeting and added the following three issues:

• The Ambulance Review and the Primary Care Review
• An Area Hospital for the South West region.
• The relationship between Hospital Trusts and Community Trusts.

6. AOB

1. Agreed: In preparation for the Second Stage of the Health and Personal Social Services Bill, the Committee will consider the matter in private at its next meeting.
2. A delegation of orthopaedic surgeons met with Committee members yesterday to give an insight into the harsh realities of delivering the service on the ground. The point was made that, given that the major trauma hospitals are currently finding it difficult to attract sufficient numbers of appropriately trained nursing staff, particularly theatre nurses, it is improbable that other local hospitals will be in a position to provide the service. However, this is not ruled out indefinitely.
3. The Multi-cultural Resource Centre will follow up their meeting with the Chairman today with a letter detailing their concerns. On receipt of this, the Chairman will write to both the Minister and Mr Jim Dougal of the European Commission Office in Belfast to seek help on their behalf.
4. The Chest, Heart and Stroke paper on cardiac surgery is due to be forwarded shortly.
5. The Committee on Procedures is content that the current Standing Orders permit any Member to forward proposals for legislation. The Assembly Commission is responsible for considering the necessary resources.
6. The Committee will consider at next week's meeting the issue of members' Committee correspondence with a view to agreeing a policy for their treatment.

The next meeting will be at 2.00 pm on Wednesday, 18 October 2000 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting ended at 4.35 pm.

DR J HENDRON
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

October 2000

4 October 2000 / Menu / 18 October 2000