Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 03 April 2008
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present: 
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan 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)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Alister Strain (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Rev Robert Coulter MLA 
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

The meeting commenced at 2.34 p.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson reported that a meeting had taken place earlier today to discuss the forward work Programme. A report on the meeting would be discussed at the next Committee meeting.

The chairperson informed the Committee that she met with the Minister on 20 March 2008 to discuss major issues that were likely to arise before the summer recess.

3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 13 March 2008

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2008were agreed.

4. Matters arising

Members noted a response from the Minister about issues raised by the Dental Laboratories Association.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about issues raised by the Family Ministry Commission, Down and Connor and agreed to forward this to the Family Ministry Commission.

Members noted a response from the Minister about issues raised by Optometry NI and agreed to forward this to Optometry NI.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about Newcroft Lodge. Members agreed to write to the Minister to ask him to urgently address the issue of staffing.

Members noted a response from the Minister about the Regional Suicide Helpline.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the treatment of Ryan McCauley and agreed to forward this to Ryan’s parents.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the treatment of Billy Caldwell and agreed to write to the Minister to seek further clarification.

Members noted a response from the Minister about the proposed Regional Hospital for Children & Women. Members agreed to raise this issue with the Minister in due course.

The Committee noted a response from the Western Health and Social Care Trust about industrial action by Medical Secretaries.

Members noted a response from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to issues raised by Mrs Morgan.

The Committee noted an interim response from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to issues raised by Mr John Bradley.

Members noted a copy of a response from the Department for Employment and Learning to Mr David Malone.

The Committee noted the key points of the Committee’s informal meeting with the Long Term Conditions Alliance.

Members agreed a draft letter to the Westminster committee considering the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Members noted a letter from Beechgrove Glencregagh Residents Association.

Members noted a report from Sport NI.

Members discussed concerns about ambulance cover and emergency cover at Tyrone County Hospital. The Committee agreed that Members from the area would investigate further and the Committee would consider calling the Ambulance Service to give evidence on this matter.

5. Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm Evidence session with NILGA

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Heather Moorhead Chief Executive, NILGA

Sean McPeake Vice President, NILGA

Anne Donaghy Director Environmental Services, Antrim Borough Council

The Chairperson apologised for the evidence session previously being postponed at short notice. A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

3.14 p.m. Ms Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting. 
3.14 p.m. Ms Carál Ní Chuilín rejoined the meeting. 
3.23 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.

6. Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm Evidence session with Departmental officials

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Andrew Elliot Director of Population Health Directorate

Dr Bernie Stuart Director of Mental Health & Disability Services Directorate

Gerard Collins Health Improvement Policy Branch

Martin Bell Health Improvement Policy Branch

Officials agreed to send the Committee information on the Training of Accident and Emergency staff. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending

3.38 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting. 
3.52 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna joined the meeting. 
3.53 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting. 
3.54 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting. 
3.57 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting. 
4.07 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting. 
4.15 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.

7. Proposed Statutory Rule from the Food Standards Agency: The Rice Products from China (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Maria Jennings Head of Consumer Choice and Food Standards Unit, FSA 
Jim Ross Head of Meat Hygiene and Meat Imports Unit, FSA

Members were briefed byMaria Jennings on the Rice Products from China (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Members agreed they were content that the Food Standards Agency proceeds to prepare the relevant Statutory Rule.

8. Statutory Rule: 2008/126: The Honey (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee considered the content of SR2008/126: The Honey (Amendment) 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.

9. Statutory Rule: 2008/82: The Meat Products (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/82: The Meat Products (Amendment) 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.

10. Statutory Rule: 2008/89: The Meat (Official Controls Charges) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/89: The Meat (Official Controls Charges) 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.

11. Statutory Rule: 2008/99: The Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/99: The Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.

12. Proposals for Statutory Rules from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Ivan McMaster Modernisation Directorate, DHSSPS
Norman Morrow Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, DHSSPS
Gail Anderson Human Resource Directorate, DHSSPS

Members were briefed byNorman Morrow and Gail Anderson on the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (Continuing Professional Development) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Members were briefed by Ivan McMaster on the Health and Personal Social Services (Joint Committee for Commissioning) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Members agreed they were content that the Department proceeds to prepare the relevant Statutory Rules.

13. Statutory Rule: 2008/90: The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/90: The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendment) 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.

14. Statutory Rule: 2008/91: The Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2008/91: The Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) 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.

15. Submission to Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm from PIPS/ RAYS.

Members agreed to include a submission from PIPS/RAYS Rights Group in the Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm.

16. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases

Members noted an invitation from the Minister for Members to attend the European Connected Health Expo on 7 th May 2008

The Committee noted a revised Northern Ireland Interim Contingency Plan for the Health Response to an Influenza Pandemic.

Members noted a letter from the Department about the introduction of a Childcare Allowance and new Parent’s Learning Allowance for pre-registration nursing students in Northern Ireland.

The Committee noted the December 2007 Northern Ireland Waiting List Statistics.

Members noted correspondence from the Clerk for the Committee for Finance and Personnel about the Committee’s scrutiny of the Varney Report

The Committee noted a letter from Mr David Thrower about possible links between multiple vaccinations and Autism.

Members agreed to pass a letter from Ms Clare Stevenson about the implementation of Agenda for Change to the Minister for a response.

Members noted a letter from the Northern Ireland Childminding Association seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed that they should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.

The Committee noted a letter from Mr Peter Benton about his experience of Health Service facilities in South Down.

Members noted a Review of Clinical and Social Care Governance Arrangements in Health and Personal Social Services Organisations in Northern Ireland – Overview Report from the RQIA

The Committee noted a copy of a letter from Aware Defeat Depression to the Minister about the impact of efficiency savings.

Members noted a report from Love for Life: Strategic case for Core Funding and correspondence between Love for Life and the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Members agreed to forward a letter from the Northern Ireland Transplant Foundation about the provision of free prescriptions for organ transplant patients to the Minister for a response.

The Committee noted an e mail from Eamon Duffy asking the Committee to support a disclosure Clause in the proposed bill of rights.

Members noted an invitation from the Institute of Agri-Food & Land Use to the Inaugural lecture of Prof George Hutchinson

The Committee noted an invitation to NIPEC annual conference – ‘Improving Practice: Improving Care’.

Members noted a letter from Advice NI.

The Committee agreed to write to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust about issues raised in a letter from the Aspergers Network.

Members noted a letter from the Youth Justice Agency seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed that they should be invited to an informal meeting with the Committee.

Member noted a report received from A.C.E.T.

The Committee noted a copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Western Health and Social Services Council.

Members noted an invitation from the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (NIAMH) to an event: ‘Investing in Mental Health – A Cultural Imperative’.

17. Any other business

The Chairperson reminded Members that an event for Healthcare related groups had been arranged for Monday 21 April 2008.

Members agreed to invite the BMA to an informal meeting on Thursday 17 April 2008.

Members agreed to invite the Richard Lowry to an informal meeting on Thursday 17 April 2008.

Members agreed to invite representatives of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and the Western Health and Social Services Board to give evidence to the Committee regarding the Deaths of Madeline and Lauren O'Neill.

The Committee agreed to write to the Minister about the outcome of pay banding for Medical Secretaries under Agenda for Change at the Ulster Hospital.

Members noted that a response had not been received yet from the Minister to a petition raised by the family of Maureen McGinley forwarded by the Committee.

The Committee asked that staff check the position regarding the provision of free personal care and prescription charges with the Department.

18. Date, time and place of the next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 10 April 2008 at 2.30 p.m. in the Lecture Suite, Lagan Valley Hospital and will be preceded by a Committee visit to South Eastern Trust.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.19 p.m.