MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY COMMITTEE
IN THE CAUSEWAY HOSPITAL, COLERAINE AT 2:00PM ON WEDNESDAY, 14 MARCH 2001
Present:
Dr J Hendron (Chairman)
Ms P Armitage
Mr P Berry
Mr T Gallagher (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Kelly
Mr A McFarland
Apologies:
Rev R Coulter
Ms C Hanna
Ms M McWilliams
Ms S Ramsey
Mrs I Robinson
In Attendance:
Mr G Martin (Committee Clerk)
Mr D Harkin (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs V Artt (Executive Support)
Mrs K McFerran (Administrative Support)
Dr Hendron took the Chair at 2:06 pm.
Private Session
1. Chairman's Opening Remarks
The Chairman reported briefly on the informative meeting that he and a Committee
delegation had that morning with the Mid-Ulster Commissioning Pilot, which is
engaged in a number of impressive innovative practices in primary care. Copies
of the documentation on the scheme will be distributed to members.
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
i. In response to a concern raised by Mrs Robinson in relation to commissioning
services for GP fundholders, the Department has confirmed that no action has been
taken yet against overspent fundholding practices.
ii. The Department has written to the Committee confirming the appointment
of a speech therapist at Rostulla Special School with effect from 1 April 2001.
4. Subordinate Legislation
i. Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals
for the following three Statutory Rules: General Dental Services (Amendment No.
2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001; Road Traffic (Health Service Charges)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001; and Travelling Expenses and Remission of
Charges (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
ii. Question put and agreed to:
That the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered
Statutory Rule No. 47/2001: Feeding Stuffs Regulations (Northern Ireland) and,
subject to the Examiner of Rules being satisfied as to its technical correctness,
has no objection to the Rule.
Public Session
5. Draft Report on the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Bill
The Clerk advised of a minor amendment to the Report that reflected the Minister's
commitment to issue formal guidance to HSS Trusts with a view to establishing
consistent and uniform charging arrangements for adoption assessments, which addresses
the Committee's concern on the matter.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report on the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Bill, proposed by the Chairman,
brought up and read.
Ordered:
-
That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
-
Paragraphs 1 to 11, as amended, read and agreed to.
Resolved:
Resolved:
6. Family Law Bill
i. The Chairman reported that his counterpart on the Committee for Finance
and Personnel will be writing to the Speaker with a view to establishing a satisfactory
Assembly policy on the handling of Bills brought through the Office of Law Reform.
ii. The Clerk will prepare an options paper for members' consideration in advance
of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 21 March, which will be attended by Officials
from the Office of Law Reform.
Private Session
7. AOB
Agreed:Following a wide-ranging discussion on staffing problems generally
in the Health Service - including a shortage of theatre nurses, occupational therapists
and speech therapists - the Clerk will initially write to the Department to ascertain
whether there is a Human Resource Strategy in place to address the issue.
ii. Agreed: General concern was raised about the unacceptable length
of waiting lists for home adaptations. The Committee did, though, welcome the
Department's target of 20 additional occupational therapists by March 2002 and
the initial review of housing adaptations service by the joint working group of
the Department and the NIHE as positive initiatives. The Clerk will request quarterly
updates from the Department on waiting lists for occupational therapy assessments
so that the Committee can monitor progress on reducing the backlog.
iii. Agreed: The Committee welcomed the notification by the Chairman
of the Committee for Finance and Personnel of that Committee's proposal to undertake
a review of public and private partnerships, including private finance initiatives,
covering all Departments. The Clerk will write to the Committee for Finance and
Personnel on the above and advise that there are no objections to its approaching
the Department for information on the subject.
iv. Agreed: The Clerk will schedule an additional Committee meeting
on Tuesday, 20 March for consideration of the Department's paper detailing its
bids on the Executive Programme Funds over the next three years.
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held at 1:45 pm on Tuesday, 20 March 2001
in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting ended at 3:00 pm.
Following the meeting the Committee was given a guided tour of the Causeway
Hospital by Mrs Margaret Craig and Mr Bill Tweed, Chairperson and Chief Executive
respectively of the Causeway HSS Trust.
DR J HENDRON
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
March 2001
