Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA 
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA 
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr John McCallister MLA 
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

Apologies:
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA 
Mr Sam Gardiner 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 2.07 p.m. in closed session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee noted that it had last written to Mr Murtagh on 31 January 2011 regarding the Ministerial code.

The Committee agreed to respond to correspondence from Mr McGreevy.

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

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

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

The Committee agreed to hold an additional meeting on Tuesday 22 February 2011 to take evidence on radiology services from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust and the Southern Health & Social Care Trust. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department regarding the long-term strategy for recruiting radiologists.

The Committee noted a swine flu update published by the Public Health Agency.

The Committee noted that the Consideration Stage of the Autism Bill had been scheduled for Tuesday 22 February.

The Committee noted responses to the draft Budget from the Regeneration Strategy Board for Derry-Londonderry and from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The Chairperson reminded members that the Committee had agreed to hold a reception for healthcare related groups following its meeting on Thursday 3rd March.

The Chairperson informed members that Action Cancer is holding an event on Thursday 24 th February to promote their campaign against smoking in cars.

The Committee noted a press release issued by the Department advising that the RQIA has been asked to review radiology services and agreed to ask for the terms of reference for the inquiry.

3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 10 February 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 10 February 2011 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a legislative consent motion for the Health and Social Care Bill 2011 and agreed to approve the legislative consent memorandum.

The Committee noted a letter from John Compton regarding the evidence session on 27 January 2011 relating to the Western Trust review of governance. The Committee noted that Hansard shows that Mr Compton was not asked if he was aware of any further issues of concern and agreed to reply to Mr Compton stating this.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister for Social Development on the Autism Bill.

The Committee noted a copy of a letter from the Belfast Trust to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the cystic fibrosis Allen Ward.

The Committee noted a response from the Assembly Commission in relation to mental health training for staff and MLAs.

The Committee noted a report of the informal meeting held with Arthritis Care and a rheumatology consultant about the availability of anti-TNF drugs and agreed to write to the Department to ask for clarification on what the current policy is and whether it is set to change in the new Budget period.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Southern Trust providing an IMAS report.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister on the proposed tobacco control regulations and agreed to write to the Department and ask if a response has been issued yet to Greece and Portugal, and if not when it will be issued.

5. Evidence session on the Protection of Freedoms Bill

The Committee took evidence from:

Ms Eilis McDaniel Child Care Directorate

Ms Pamela Mallon Child Care Directorate

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

The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to proceed with the legislative consent motion.

2.35 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.

6. Evidence session on the Suicide Prevention Strategy

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Maura Briscoe Director of Mental Health & Disability Policy

Mr Gerard Collins Health Improvement Policy Branch

Mr Martin Bell Health Improvement Policy Branch

Ms Madeline Heaney Public Health Agency

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

2.58 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey joined the meeting.

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

3.20 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.

3.36 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.

3.40 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting.

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

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

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

4.05 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.

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

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

7. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/28: The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

The Committee considered SR 2011/28: The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

4.13 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.

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

8. Proposed Statutory Rule

The Committee considered the Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.

9. Assembly Research Papers

The Committee noted a briefing paper from Assembly Research on waiting lists for outpatients, inpatients and diagnostic services.

The Committee noted a briefing paper from Assembly Research on hospital statistics for mental health and learning disability.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding its inquiry into participation in sport and physical activity and agreed to forward a letter to the Minister.

The Committee noted a letter from the Children’s Commissioner providing a policy briefing on protecting children.

The Committee noted a letter from the GMC advising of a consultation on proposed changes to the way it deals with fitness to practice cases.

11. Any Other Business

The Committee noted a response from the Minister to an assembly question providing details of staff turnover from 2007 – 2010 and agreed to write to the Department for further details of possible staff reductions.

4.18 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.

4.22 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 22 nd February 2011 at 12.30 p.m. in room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.22 p.m.

Chairperson