Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Thursday, 22 May 2008

BOARDROOM , NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE, LISBURN

Present: 
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA, Deputy Chairperson (In the Chair) 
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr John McCallister MLA

In Attendance: 
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: 
Mrs Iris Robinson MLA (Chairperson) 
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA 
Rev Robert Coulter MLA 
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA 
Ms Claire McGill 
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

The meeting commenced at 2.58 p.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson thanked the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service for hosting the Committee visit to the Fire & Rescue Service headquarters this morning and for providing the use of their Boardroom to hold the Committee meeting.

The Chairperson informed Members that Carál Ní Chuilín has moved to the Social Development Committee and has been replaced on the Committee by Claire McGill . The Committee paid tribute to the significant contribution that Carál has made to the work of the Committee over the past year.

3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 15 May 2008

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2008were agreed.

4. Matters arising

Members noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of his intention to request amendments to section 62 of the Health Act 1999.

Members noted a letter from HURT thanking the Committee for the informal reception on 21 April 2008.

Members noted the summary of key points arising from the lunchtime meeting with the Mental Health and learning Disability Alliance on Thursday, 15 May 2008.

The Committee at its meeting on 1 May 2008 approved Statutory Rule 2008/163 Health Service Superannuation Regulations subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the rule. The Examiner’s report has now been received and Members noted that the report has drawn attention to drafting defects and the Examiner has made recommendations to the Department to correct this error.

Members noted the Minister’s response about funding for community based groups.

Members noted the Minister’s response about Billy Caldwell’s treatment. Members agreed to write again to the Minister seeking further clarification.

Members noted the Minister’s response about maternity and neonatal services.

Members noted the Minister’s response about plans for organ donation.

5. Evidence session with the Health Promotion Agency

Members took evidence from Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive, Health Promotion Agency about the proposals to reform the health and social care system.

A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked Dr Gaffney for attending.

6. Evidence session on the Family Matters Strategy

Members took evidence from Mr Sean Holland and Ms Rosie Drysdale, Family Policy Unit, DHSSPS.

A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

4.15pm the Committee adjourned 
4.24pm the Committee resumed

7. Statutory Rule. SR 2008/198: The Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/198 : The Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.

8. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.

Members noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding school age childcare and funding for children and young people’s priorities.

Members noted a letter from the Committee for Education forwarding correspondence from the Department of Education about Sustrans and safe routes to school.

Members noted a letter from the Mental Health Commission about the Commission’s response to the consultation in respect of the proposed transfer of function from the Mental Health Commission to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

Members agreed to forward a copy of a letter received from the Speech and Language Therapy Advisory Committee Unite (Amicus Section) expressing concerns about Agenda for Change to the Minister.

Members noted a letter from the Health Foundation about a report ‘Bridging the Quality Gap – a wake-up call on stroke’.

Members noted a letter from ARC Northern Ireland seeking a meeting with the Committee on behalf of people who live in Muckamore Abbey Hospital. Members agreed that the group should be invited to attend an informal meeting with the Committee.

Members noted a letter from the Health Living Centres Regional Alliance.

Members noted a letter from the Family Ministry Commission (Down and Connor) about abortion guidelines.

Members noted a letter from the Mourne Heritage Trust about the Mourne Homestead Scheme.

Members noted a letter from Diabetes UK Northern Ireland about a report ‘living with Diabetes in Northern Ireland’.

9. Any other business

Members noted correspondence received on behalf of Mr McCallister about Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The Committee agreed that an informal meeting to discuss this issue should be arranged at a later date.

Members noted press cuttings and responses to the Committee’s Report on the Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm.

Members noted correspondence received from Carál Ní Chuilín expressing deep disappointment as to how the Minister responded to the Report on the Committee’s Inquiry into Suicide and Self Harm. Members agreed to write to the Minister asking him how he is going to take on board the twenty-six recommendations the Committee has made.

The Committee agreed that part of next week’s evidence session with the Minister in relation to the reform of health and social care structures should be in closed session.

10. Date, time and place of the next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 29 May 2008 at 2.30 pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings. Members noted that the meeting will be preceded by an informal meeting with the Commissioner for Children & Young People in the Private Dining Room at 1.00 pm.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.34 pm.