Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THURSDAY, 7 JUNE 2007
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy 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
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

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

Apologies: Mr John McCallister MLA

The meeting commenced at 2.55pm in open session.

1. Apologies

Apology as listed above.

2. Chairman’s Business

The Chairperson informed Members that she had been due to speak at a conference earlier today organised by Belfast Community Development Health Forum and, unfortunately, because of other commitments she had been unable to do so. The Chairperson thanked the Deputy Chairperson for standing in at short notice.

3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 May 2007

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2007 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

Members noted the Department’s response to issues raised in Dr Lyness’s letter dated 5 May 2007.

Members noted the correction received from the Department to the ‘Children Matter’ Review document.

Committee Visit: Members noted and agreed a suggested outline Programme for the visit to the Western Health and Social Services Trust on 28 June 2007. Members noted that because of time constraints the visit to Ashdale House would have to be postponed until a later date.

5. Evidence Session with the Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland on the Nurses’ Pay Award 2007

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Ms Mary Hinds, Director, Royal College of Nursing (NI)_
Ms Janice Smyth, Deputy Director, Royal College of Nursing (NI)
Dr Peter Carter, General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing (UK)

3.40pm Mr Gallagher left the meeting.

3.45pm Mr Gallagher returned to the meeting.

3.48pm Mr Gallagher left the meeting

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

3.51pm Miss O’Neill left the meeting.

3.53pm Mr Gallagher returned to the meeting.

Members agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Minister about the issue.

6. Evidence Session with UNISON on PFI issues

Members noted a briefing paper received from UNISON and a briefing paper from Assembly Research.

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Ms Patricia McKeown, Regional Secretary, UNISON Northern Ireland
Mr Jonathan Swallow, Consultant

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

Members agreed that issues arising should be raised with Departmental officials at next week’s meeting.

4.45pm the meeting adjourned.

4.55pm the meeting resumed.

7. Consultation on Draft sexual violence Strategy titled “Hidden Crimes, Secret Pain”

Members welcomed an invitation from the Minister to respond to this consultation document and agreed to invite officials to brief the Committee.

Members also noted the Department’s wish to consult the Committee on its Comprehensive Spending Review priorities for investment before passing these to the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Members noted the imminent Committee Stage on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and agreed a revised Forward Work Programme.

8. Health Related Groups

Members noted a paper outlining the key points that had been raised at the lunchtime meeting with the Northern Ireland Association of Mental Health on Thursday 31 May 2007.

Members noted that a lunchtime meeting has been arranged with Diabetes UK at 1.15pm on Thursday 14 June 2007 in the Members’ Private Dining Room.

Members noted correspondence from Councillor Jonathan Craig MLA on behalf of Down Lisburn Carers Forum – Mencap. Members agreed that Down Lisburn Carers Forum – Mencap should be invited to a lunchtime meeting on Thursday, 21 June 2007 at 1.15pm in the Members’ Private Dining Room.

9. Correspondence

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

Members also noted requests for Committee Visits.

10. Any other business

Members agreed a Press Release.

11. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 14 June 2007 at 2.30pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.04pm.