Present: Dr J Hendron (Chairman)
Ms P Armitage
Rev R Coulter
Mr T Gallagher (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Kelly
Mr A McFarland
Ms M McWilliams
Mrs I Robinson

Apologies:
Mr P Berry
Ms C Hanna
Ms S Ramsey

In Attendance:
Mr S Graham (Acting Committee Clerk)
Mr D Harkin (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs K McFerran (Executive Support)
Mr G Neill (Administrative Support)
Dr J Thompson (Assembly Researcher)

Dr Hendron took the Chair at 10:15 am.

The Chairman introduced members to Mr Stephen Graham, who was the acting Committee Clerk for the meeting.

2. Preparation for Oral Evidence Session

Agreed: To facilitate the structure of the meeting, members agreed to take responsibility respectively for lead questions on the following priority areas, which had been previously agreed.

• Waiting Lists- Trolley Waits - Bed Blocking - Community Care Packages

• Winter Pressures

• Health Service Structures

• Primary Care

• Regional Cancer Centre

• Targeting Social Need

• Ambulance Service

Panel Members: The Minister, Ms Bairbre de Brún
Mr Clive Gowdy, Permanent Secretary
Mr Don Hill, Deputy Secretary
Mr Paul Simpson, Deputy Secretary

The Chairman welcomed the panel to the meeting at 10:45 am and made some brief introductory remarks. The Minister proceeded to make an opening statement on the current issues and pressures affecting the Health Service, and the steps the Department is taking to address the problems. This was followed by a question-and-answer session on the seven major topics as outlined above, and the entire proceedings are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the Minister and her Officials for their frank and helpful answers to members' questions, and the panel left the meeting at 12:53 pm.

The Chairman left the meeting at 12:20 pm and returned at 12:25 pm. Mr Gallagher chaired the meeting in the interim.

The Chairman advised the Minister that he would be writing to her to request updates on the position in relation to:

• The Cancer Centre, including its Business Case and Financial Sourcing/Budget Bids

• Measures that are being taken to address the unacceptably high cancellation levels of outpatient clinics

• The determination of salary levels for Senior Executives in the HSS Boards and Trusts following the Minister's recent welcome announcement

• Measures that are being taken to attract and retain specialist nurses and professional medical staff to address the present shortfalls in numbers and the Health Service's future needs

Agreed: In relation to the Committee's deep concern at the severe budgetary pressures adversely impacting on the Health Service, the Clerk will investigate the possibility of the Committee's meeting with the Acting First and Deputy First Minister, together with the Minister of Finance and Personnel, to impress upon them the urgent need for extra resources.

4. Date and Time of the Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, 17 October 2001 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting ended at 1:00 pm.

DR J HENDRON
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
October 2001 `

10 October 2001 / Menu / 17 October 2001