Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA 
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA 
Mr John McCallister MLA

Apologies: 
Mr Mickey Brady MLA 
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA 
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA  

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

The meeting commenced at 2.08 p.m. in open session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed the Committee that he had met the Chairperson of the Education Committee to discuss the impact of the Autism Bill on Special Educational Needs legislation.

The Committed discussed the evidence session held with the Belfast and Southern Trusts on Tuesday 22 February 2011.

The Committee agreed to invite Newry & Armagh PIPs to the reception for healthcare related groups on Thursday 3 rd March 2011.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department and the Western Trust about neurology services.

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

3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meetings held on 17 February 2011 & 22 February 2011

The minutes of the Committee meetings held on 17 February 2011 & 22 February 2011were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the draft Budget.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the governance review of the Western Trust and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing an update on the Cancer Service Framework.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the cost of pharmacy prescriptions and agreed to invite Departmental officials to give evidence to it on this matter.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the drug A3A.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the outcome of the public consultation on a new draft 10 year Tobacco Control Strategy.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010.

The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Trust regarding records held on unsuccessful applicants for employment.

The Committee noted a response from the Western Trust regarding language competency of applicants for medical posts in the Trust.

The Committee noted a response from the RQIA regarding its review of the Ambulance Service Trust and agreed to write to the Health & Social Care Board for information regarding ambulance response times.

The Committee noted a response from the Western Trust regarding radiology services and agreed to write to the Trust for further information.

The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Trust following the evidence session on 27 January which dealt with the IMAS report on the Children’s hospital and agreed to consider this matter at its next meeting.

The Committee noted a copy of the terms of reference for the RQIA review of radiology services.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the disposal of records.

The Committee noted a flu bulletin issued by the Public Health Agency.

The Committee noted a press release from the RQIA regarding its review of child and adolescent mental health services.

The Committee noted a copy of “Promoting Quality Care: good practice guidance on the assessment and management of risk in mental health and learning disability services”.

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

5. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/29. The Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

The Committee considered SR 2011/29. The Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

6. Proposed Statutory Rule

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

The Committee considered the Food Labeling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.

7. Briefing paper from Assembly Research on Child Protection Register and Referral Statistics

The Committee noted a briefing paper from Assembly Research on Child Protection Register and Referral Statistics.

8. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Health regarding the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister’s intention to seek the Assembly’s agreement to introduce a legislative consent motion regarding the Public Bodies Bill.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister forwarding a response from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to issues raised by the Construction Employers Federation and agreed to forward this to the Construction Employers Federation.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding European Engagement.

The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for the Environment regarding the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan to the Minister.

The Committee noted a copy of a letter from Holy Trinity Primary School and Nursery to the Minister.

The Committee noted a letter from the Allied Health Professions Federation seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the organisation to the reception for healthcare related groups on Thursday 3 rd March 2011.

The Committee agreed that each party would nominate a representative to attend the reception for healthcare related groups.

The Committee noted an anonymous letter about articles in local Tyrone & Fermanagh newspapers regarding the management of the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

The Committee noted a copy of the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health newsletter ‘Focus’.

The Committee noted correspondence has been received from Mrs Sharon Ramsey regarding autism services.

9. Any Other Business

The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the status of the Patient Client Council.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 3 rd March 2011 at 2.00 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.59 p.m.