Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THURSDAY, 21 JUNE 2007
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: 
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA 
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Vicky Surplus (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Mark McQuade (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: 
Miss Michelle O’Neill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

The meeting commenced at 2.38pm in open session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

2.44pm Mr McCallister joined the meeting.

2. Chairman’s Business

The Chairperson welcome the announcement by the Minister during the Second Reading of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill on 19 June, that he intends tabling an amendment to the Bill to remove the clause on smoking by performers. However, the Chairperson expressed concern that the media appeared to have been alerted to this issue in advance of the Minister’s announcement and that this is contrary to the practice of the Assembly that any significant announcement should be made to Members in the Assembly.

The Chairperson informed Members that she would be meeting informally with the Minister on Monday 25 June and that she would be raising this issue with him then.

3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 June 2007

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2007 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

Members noted a letter received from the Minister in response to issues raised at the evidence session with the Minister on 31 May 2007.

Members noted a letter received from the Minister in response to a question by a Member at the Committee meeting on 24 May 2007 seeking a breakdown of the Department’s current budget.

5. Committee Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Evidence session with the British Medical Association

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Dr Brian Patterson, Chairman, British Medical Association Northern Ireland Council
Dr Brian Dunn, Chairman, British Medical Association Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee
Dr Brian Best, Secretary, British Medical Association Northern Ireland
Mr Ivor Whitten, Assembly and Research Officer, British Medical Association Northern Ireland

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

3.22pm Mr Gallagher left the meeting.

Evidence session with the British Dental Association

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Ms Claudette Christie, Director, British Dental Association Northern Ireland
Mr Seamus Killough, Chair, British Dental Association Northern Ireland Council

3.34pm Mr Gallagher returned to the meeting.
3.44pm Mrs Hanna left the meeting.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

6. Evidence Session with Departmental officials on the priorities for investment in the Comprehensive Spending Review

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Dr Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary
Mr Andrew Hamilton, Deputy Secretary, Healthcare Policy Group
Ms Julie Thompson, Director of Finance
Mrs Linda Brown, Deputy Secretary, Social Policy Group

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

5.02pm Ms Ní Chuilín left the meeting.

7. Health Related Groups

Members noted a paper outlining the key points that had been raised at the lunchtime meeting with Diabetes UK on Thursday, 14 June 2007.

Members noted that a Private Members’ Motion on carers will be debated in the Assembly on Monday, 25 June 2007.

8. Committee Inquiry

Members agreed the Terms of Reference for the Committee Inquiry. Members further agreed that the Inquiry should be titled ‘Healthcare Associated Infections’ rather than ‘Hospital Acquired Infections’ thus enabling the Committee to look at other healthcare facilities including nursing homes, primary care settings etc.

Members agreed a Press Release inviting written submissions.

Members agreed that a Specialist Advisor should be appointed.

9. Correspondence

Members noted the correspondence received together with Press Cuttings/Releases.

Members noted a letter received from the Chief Executive, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in response to a letter about the Child and Family Centre at Foster Green Hospital. It was agreed that this letter should be forwarded to the person concerned.

Members noted the correspondence from Mr Gavin McDonnell, Consultant Neurologist, Neurorehabilition Unit, Foster Green Hospital and it was agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Minister seeking an urgent response.

Members noted the letter issued to the Department following up issues raised at the evidence session last week on PFI/PPP.

10. Any other business

Members agreed a Press Release on this week’s meeting.

Members also agreed a Press Release on the Committee’s forthcoming visit to the Western Health and Social Care Trust on Thursday 28 June 2007.

11. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 28 June 2007 at 2.00pm in the Great Hall, Magee Campus, University of Ulster.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.05pm.