Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA 
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA 
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA 
Mr Paul Girvan MLA 
Mr John McCallister MLA 
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

Apologies: 
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA

In Attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk) 
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor) 
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor) 
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 2.01 p.m. in closed session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2.02 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting.

2.03 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.

2.04 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill joined the meeting.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee agreedto write to Mr Stephen Murtagh regarding the death of his wife in the Royal Victoria Hospital.

The Committee considered legal advice regarding the evidence session on dental issues in the Belfast Trust.

2.19 p.m. The meeting moved to public session.

The Committee noted a swine flu bulletin published this morning by the Public Health Agency.

The Committee noted a response from the Public Health Agency regarding the underlying health conditions of those who have died from swine flu.

The Committee agreedto take evidence from the Department on a legislative consent motion it is seeking to make in relation to the Protection of Freedoms Bill at Westminster.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Southern Health & Social Care Trust regarding an IMAS report.

2.22 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.

3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 3 February 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 3 February 2011 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding A & E services at Antrim Hospital and agreedto ask the Department for further information.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Regional Neurology Service at the Royal Hospital and agreedto copy this to Patricia Gordon seeking her views on the matter.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing an update on the Resettlement of Long Stay Patients from Learning Disability Hospitals.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the information included in Access NI checks and agreedto write to the Committee for Justice and Northern Ireland’s MEPs about this matter.

2.31 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.

2.41 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.

2.41 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill took the Chair.

5. Autism Bill NIA 2/10 – Consideration of Committee report

The Committee considered the Draft Report on the Committee Stage of the
Autism Bill paragraph by paragraph.

The Committee agreed the main body of the report:

Paragraphs 1 to 16, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 17 to 24, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 25 to 49, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 50 to 95, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 96 to 104, read and agreed.

The Committee agreed the Executive Summary:

Paragraphs 1-7, read and agreed.

The Committee agreedthat the Committee Membership & Powers, table of contents and Appendices 1 to 6 be included in the report.

The Committee agreedthat an extract of today’s Minutes of Proceedings should be included in Appendix 1 of the report and were content that the Chairperson agrees the minutes relating to this.

The Committee agreed to order the Report on the Autism Bill NIA 2/10 to be printed.

2.43 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.

2.45 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.

6. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/17: The Regulation and Improvement Authority (Independent Health Care) (Fees and Frequency of Inspection) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

The Committee considered SR 2011/17: The Regulation and Improvement Authority (Independent Health Care) (Fees and Frequency of Inspection) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the ESR.

7. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel and agreedthat the Chief Medical Officer give evidence to it regarding the Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) Bill.

The Committee agreedto postpone a visit to Omagh and to visit the headquarters of Lifeline in Belfast on Thursday 24 th February 2011.

The Committee noted a departmental consultation on a Ten Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland.

The Committee noted a letter from Barnardo’s seeking a meeting with it and agreedto invite the organisation to attend the Committee reception for healthcare related groups on 3 March 2011.

The Committee noted the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2010.

8. Discussion of Committee’s final response to draft Budget 2011 – 2015

The Committee noted correspondence regarding the draft Budget from the School of Sociology at Queens University Belfast.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the McKinsey report on health & social care finances and agreedto hold an evidence session on this matter.

The Committee agreedthat the response it issued on 27 January 2011 would be its final response on the draft Budget.

2.54 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

2.59 p.m. Meeting resumed.

2.59 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.

9. Evidence session on dental issues in the Belfast Trust

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr John Compton, Chief Executive of the Health & Social Care Board and agreedto return to this at its next meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing it of his intention to conduct an independent inquiry into the recall of patients being treated at the Royal School of Dentistry.

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS

Mr Donncha O'Carolan Chief Dental Officer, DHSSPS

Mr Colm Donaghy Chief Executive, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

Dr Tony Stevens Director of Medicine, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

Mr Donald Burden Clinical Director of Dentistry, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

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

The Committee agreedto write to the Department regarding the terms of reference for the inquiry.

3.06 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.

3.26 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.

3.29 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.

4.18 p.m.Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.

4.41 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.

4.42 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.

4.44 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.

4.51 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.

4.54 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.

5.04 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.

10. Any Other Business

The Committee agreedto write to the Department regarding the availability of beds in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 17 th February 2011 at 2 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.39 p.m.

Chairperson