Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday 28 May 2009
Room 135, Parliament Buildings

Present:
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA 
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA 
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA 
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk) 
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr David Irvine (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)

The meeting commenced at 2.03 pm in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee agreed to allow the BBC to film the evidence session on obesity.

3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 21 May 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2009 were agreed.

4. Matters arising.

The Committee noted a report on the Committee event for healthcare related groups on Tuesday 12 May 09 and agreed to follow up the agreed action points.

The Committee noted an interim response from the South Eastern Trust about Agenda for Change.

The Committee noted that a meeting with Early Years has been arranged for 10 June 2009 along with Members of the Committee for Education.

2.06 p.m. Mr Alex Easton joined the meeting.

5. Committee Inquiry into Obesity.

Evidence session with Dr Una Lynch, Queens University Belfast.

Members took evidence from:

Dr Una Lynch Queens University Belfast

A question and answer session ensued. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.

2.08 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting

2.16 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna joined the meeting.

6. Briefing by Departmental Officials on the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee Report into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm

Members took evidence from:

Andrew Elliott DHSSPS 
Gerard Collins DHSSPS 
Martin Bell DHSSPS 
Maura Briscoe DHSSPS

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

3.13 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.13 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna left the meeting.

7. Statutory Rule: SR 2009/ 166. The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (General) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.

The following officials attended

Andrew Elliott DHSSPS 
Seamus Camplisson DHSSPS

Officials apologised for errors which led to the Department making these regulations before they had been approved by the Committee. The Committee stressed the importance of the Department following the correct procedures.

The Committee considered SR 2009/ 166. The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (General) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule.

3.15 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna rejoined the meeting. 
3.24 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting. 
3.44 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting. 
3.58 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting 
3.58 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner took the chair 
4.01 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting and resumed the chair. 
4.05 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
4.09 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.

8. Statutory Rule: SR2009/191 the Pharmaceutical Services and Charges for Drugs and Appliances (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.

The Committee considered SR2009/191 the Pharmaceutical Services and Charges for Drugs and Appliances (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.

9. Correspondence / Press Cuttings / Press Releases.

The Committee noted a letter from the Belfast Health Initiative about the Integrated Medicine Pilot Project 2007-8 report and agreed to forward this to the Minister for a response.

The Committee noted correspondence from the General Medical Council about consultations on ‘Proposals to extend the use of consensual disposal’ and ‘the management of Fitness to Practice Panel hearings’.

The Committee discussed correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister & deputy First Minister requesting the views of the Committee on a proposed reform of the Northern Ireland tribunal system and agreed a response should be prepared.

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Lee Wilson asking about the reduction in administration and clerical staff in Health and Social Care and agreed to forward this to the Minister for a response.

The Committee noted a letter from the Mental Health and Learning Disability Alliance seeking a meeting with the Committee about the Department’s proposals for the introduction of capacity law and mental health law reform. Members noted that the legislative proposals would be considered by the Committee following recess and agreed to seek the views of the Mental Health and Learning Disability Alliance at that stage.

The Committee noted an information guide from CO Awareness regarding carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

The Committee noted a pamphlet announcing an ARC NI Conference.

The Committee noted a report ‘A Sustainable New Deal’ from the Sustainable Development Commission.

The Committee noted a Press Release from the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery (NIPEC) regarding a meeting to be held on 10 th June 2009.

The Committee noted a letter from UNISON seeking a meeting with the Committee to discuss the impact of the cuts in the health budget arising from the Comprehensive Spending Review and agreed to invite them to an informal meeting with the Committee.

4.32 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting. 
4.32 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.

10. Any other business

The Committee discussed legal advice regarding sub judice restrictions with regard to an evidence session on the rules surrounding the payment of firefighters pensions. The Committee agreed to write to the Department for further information on firefighters conditions of service.

The Committee discussed invitations from the Food Standards Agency and the Ulster Chemists Association to visit premises. Members agreed to consider a visit to the Food Standards Agency at the next Committee meeting.

The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for an update on the independent inquiry into the outbreak of C difficile in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

The Committee agreed to write again to the Minister regarding the transportation of nursing staff from Tyrone County Hospital to other hospitals in the Western Trust area. Members also agreed to ask what procedures are in place to protect whistle blowers.

The Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding issues raised by the Muckamore TILII group.

The Committee agreed to circulate Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service data on bariatric call-outs obtained by a student journalist under the Freedom of Information Act.

4.38 p.m. Mrs Claire McGill left the meeting.

11. Date, time and place of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 11 June 2009 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber , Parliament Buildings.

The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.48 p.m.