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

Apologies: Ms M McWilliams

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

Mr Gallagher took the Chair at 2:07 pm.

Private Session

Mr Gallagher welcomed members to the meeting and advised that he would be chairing proceedings until the arrival of Dr Hendron presently.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

i. The Clerk has prepared draft letters for issue to the First and Deputy First Ministers regarding the funding crisis in the Health Service.

ii. The Department has responded to the Committee's query on the Ophthalmic Services Statutory Rule and has given an assurance that Northern Ireland has not been disadvantaged by the late introduction of the Regulation here.

4. Subordinate Legislation

i. Question put and agreed to:

That the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee has considered Statutory Rule No.348 - Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being satisfied as to its technical effectiveness, has no objection to the Rule.

ii. The Committee was content with the Department's proposal for the following Statutory Rule: General Medical Services (Amendment No.4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

iii. The Committee noted a proposal for a Statutory Rule (SR) - The Optical Charges and Payments and General Ophthalmic Services (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001- that has subsequently been made. Members were concerned that, in this instance, the SR proposal had been passed to the Clerk so late as to preclude its consideration by the Committee.

Agreed: The Clerk will write to the Department reiterating the Committee's concerns and outlining its requirement to have sight of SRs at proposal stage, within the prescribed time frame. When exceptional circumstances prevent the Department from complying with the advance notification rule, the Committee would expect a satisfactory written explanation.

Agreed: The Clerk will write to the Department to request the up-to-date position with regard to voucher values for purchase of glasses and contact lenses under the Optical Charges and Payments Regulations (NI) 2001.

Public Session

As Mr Gallagher declared a particular interest in aspects of the Report, he volunteered to vacate the Chair during consideration of this item of business.

Election of Temporary Chairperson

The Clerk having sought nominations, Mr McFarland proposed Rev R Coulter, who was seconded by Ms Hanna. There being no further nominations, Rev R Coulter replaced Mr Gallagher in the Chair.

2:20 pm

The Committee deliberated.

Dr Hendron joined the meeting and replaced Rev R Coulter in the Chair at 2:30 pm.

Agreed: As the Department's deadline for responses to the above Report will pass before the next Committee meeting, the Chairman will liaise with the Clerk to approve the paper, as amended, on members' behalf.

Ms Ramsey left the meeting at 3:20 pm.

6. Committee Response to OFMDFM's Consultation Paper on a Victims' Strategy

Assembly Researcher, Ms Janice Thompson, gave a brief presentation on the draft response she had prepared for the Committee.

The Committee deliberated.

Agreed: In order to meet the Committee of the Centre's deadline for responses, the Chairman will liaise with the Clerk to approve the draft response, as amended, on members' behalf.

7. Response to the Department's Draft Budget for 2002/03

The Committee deliberated.

i. Agreed: As the Department's deadline for responses to the draft Budget will pass before the next Committee meeting, the Chairman will approve the Committee response, as amended, on members' behalf.

ii. Agreed: The Chairman will consult with the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland to enquire whether it would be feasible for him to conduct an audit of Departmental expenditure.

iii. In the light of members' deep concerns about the parlous state of cancer equipment and facilities generally at Belvoir Park Hospital, and the impact that this is having on patient outcomes and staff morale, the Clerk will write to the Department to request regular updates on service delivery at the hospital.

iv. Agreed: The Clerk will write to the Department for clarification on whether the £8m that was allocated to the HSS Boards to tackle waiting lists this year was ring-fenced and to request an explanation of the funds' effectiveness to date in helping to address the problem.

Private Session

i. Members have received copies of the Department's Corporate Plan for 2001- 2004.

ii. Agreed: Following a request by Belfast Healthy Cities to make a presentation to the Committee on its work, both within the city and across Europe, the Clerk will arrange a suitable slot for an informal lunchtime meeting.

iii. Agreed: The Clerk will forward to the Department a copy of the correspondence sent to all Committee members from a Mr Cormack regarding his serious concerns at the inadequate provision of health care for his son who has special needs.

iv. Agreed: The Committee considered a letter from the Registered Home Association seeking a meeting to voice its concern at the lack of community care packages and the inadequate provision of funding for nursing home care. The Committee is fully aware of the position as the matter has been raised with it on a number of occasions, and it will continue to press the Department for additional funding. In light of the above, and its current work schedule, the Committee will at this time regretfully decline the request for a meeting.

9. Date and Time of the Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, 7 November 2001 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings. There is no meeting next week because of the Assembly Recess.

The meeting ended at 4:22 pm.

DR J HENDRON
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
October 2001

17 October 2001 / Menu / 7 November 2001