Present:
Dr J Hendron (Chairman)
Mr P Berry
Ms C Hanna
Mr A McFarland
Ms M McWilliams

Apologies:
Ms P Armitage
Mr T Gallagher (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Kelly
Ms S Ramsey
Mrs I Robinson

In Attendance: Mr G Martin (Committee Clerk)
Mr D Harkin (Assistant Clerk)
Mr G Neill (Administrative Support)

Dr Hendron took the Chair at 2:16 pm.

Private Session

1. Chairman's Opening Remarks

Agreed: Following the Chairman's reiteration of concerns about the current pressures at the RVH's A&E Trauma Centre (as outlined by Mr David Marsh in a recent letter to the Committee), it was agreed that the Clerk should arrange a joint Committee visit to the Trauma Units at the RVH and Belfast City Hospital for an insight into the problems created by the staffing shortages.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

1. The Chairman has written to the First and Deputy First Ministers to request a meeting with a delegation from the Committee in relation to the current funding crisis in the Health Service. He has also written to each of the 10 Departmental Ministers to seek their support for additional funding for the Health Service.

2. The Department has provided details of the up-to-date position with regard to voucher values for glasses and contact lenses, which have been copied to members.

3. The Clerk has contacted the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, who will meet the Chairman to discuss the feasibility of an audit of Departmental expenditure.

4. Subordinate Legislation

1. Question put and agreed to:

That the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee has considered Statutory Rule No. 341-Food Protection (Emergency Provisions No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 and Statutory Rule No. 368-Food Protection (Emergency Provisions No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001,

and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being satisfied as to their technical correctness, has no objections to the Rules.

2. Question put and agreed to:

That the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee has considered Statutory Rule No.376-Specified Risk Material (Amendment No.3) Regulations, and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being satisfied as to its technical correctness, has no objection to the Rule.

3. Question put and agreed to:

That the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee has considered Statutory Rule No.370-The Optical Charges & Payments & General Ophthalmic Services (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being satisfied as to its technical correctness, has no objection to the Rule.

4. The Committee was content with the Department's proposals for the following two Statutory Rules: Colours in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and Miscellaneous Food Additives (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.

Public Session

5. Inquiry into the Delivery of Cancer Services in NI: Presentation by the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF)

Panel Members: Mrs Arlene Spiers, Chief Executive UCF
Mrs Pat McGreevy, The Cancer Patient Forum
Mrs Karen Patterson, The Cancer Patient Forum
Ms Andee McKeown, The Cancer Patient Forum

The Chairman welcomed the panel to the meeting at 2:40 pm, after which Mrs Spiers spoke briefly to the UCF's written submission to the inquiry. The three members of the Cancer Patient Forum then gave their respective insights into a patient's experience of cancer services in Northern Ireland, and this was followed by a question-and-answer session. The entire proceedings are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the panel, and they left the meeting at 4:00 pm.

6. Draft Response to the Consultation Paper on a Commissioner for Children for Northern Ireland

Agreed: The Committee considered and agreed the draft response, which the Clerk will forward to OFMDFM.

Private Session

7. AOB

1. Agreed: The Committee considered a letter from the co-ordinator of NIADHD (an organisation that deals with children and young adults suffering from Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) seeking financial support for a Family Support Centre. The Clerk will refer the letter to the Department, together with a briefing paper on the group's aims and objectives.

2. Agreed: The Committee will refer to the Department a concern raised by Mr Berry in a letter to the Clerk about inadequate staffing levels at Ceara Special School in Lurgan, which deals with children with learning difficulties.

3. Agreed: The Committee considered a letter from Greenwood House Parents Action Group highlighting their concern that, due to staff shortages, the school is not currently providing proper occupational therapy, which is vital for the development of its pupils who have special behavioural and educational needs. The Clerk will refer the matter to the Department.

4. The Future Work Programme has been copied to members. It was noted that this was subject to change in order to accommodate the Committee Stage of three Departmental Bills that are in the pipeline.

5. On behalf of Mrs Robinson, who cannot normally be present at the Committee's meetings because of the clash with Northern Ireland Business in the House of Commons, Mr Berry queried whether it would be feasible to reschedule the Committee's Wednesday slot. It was agreed that, although scope for manoeuvrability seemed to be limited, in view of other members' commitments and the shortage of available rooms, the Clerk will investigate the possibility of re-arranging the weekly meeting.

6. Ms Hanna requested that the current problems with regard to the delivery of clinical neurosciences in Northern Ireland be included as an item for next week's agenda.

7. Members were reminded of the lunch with Prof. Michael Langham, Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 14 November 2001 in the Members' Dining Room.

8. Date and Time of the Next Meeting

The next meeting will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, 14 November 2001 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting ended at 4:07 pm.

DR J HENDRON
Committee Chairman
November 2001

24 October 2001 / Menu / 14 November 2001