Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2010
BOARD ROOM, CRAIGAVON AREA HOSPITAL

Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA 
Dr Kieran Deeny 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)

Apologies:
Mr Mickey Brady MLA 
Ms Sue Ramsey 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 1.51 p.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chair’s business

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Pól Callaghan to the Committee.

The Chairperson thanked the Southern Health & Social Care Trust for accommodating the Committee’s visit.

It was agreed that the Chairperson should issue electronic Christmas cards on behalf of the Committee to the main individuals and organisations it has met during the year.

3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 18 th November 2010

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 18 th November 2010 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister confirming that the Department will provide summaries of responses to the consultations on the 10 Year Strategy for Social Work in Northern Ireland, the EQIA on the Mental Capacity Bill and Guidance on the Termination of Pregnancy when these become available.

Mr Pól Callaghan made a declaration of interest that his wife is a pharmacist.

Dr Kieran Deenymade a declaration of interest that he is a member of the Western Local Commissioning Group.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding free prescriptions and agreed to write to the Department for further information.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister confirming that the Department will provide a summary of responses to the consultation on the Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy & Action Plan 2010-20.

The Committee noted a letter from the Chief Executive of the Southern Health & Social Care Trust about salary information for Senior Executives. Members noted that the missing salary information was due to staff not being in post at the time the 2008/2009 report was published and that there was no intention to withhold salary information. The Committee noted that a revised Assembly Research Services paper will be published on the website shortly. It was agreed to write to the South Trust to clarify the matter.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on savings made as a result of RPA.

The Committee noted the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report drawing the Committee’s attention to a drafting error in the Voluntary Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/289).

The Committee noted a report on the informal meeting with the British Medical Association Consultant Committee.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Finance and Personnel Committee on the Budget 2010 timetable.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Parents Autism Lobby seeking to give evidence to the Committee regarding the Autism (NI) Bill and agreed to decide which groups to take evidence from when it has more information regarding the timetable for the Bill.

The Committee noted that the second stage of the Autism Bill has been scheduled for Tuesday 7 th December and agreed to invite the Department to brief the Committee on its views on the Bill at its meeting on Thursday 2 nd December.

5. Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland NIA 25/09. Draft Committee report

The Committee considered the Draft Report on the Committee Stage of the
Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill paragraph by paragraph.

The Committee agreed the main body of the report:

The Committee agreed the Executive Summary:

Paragraphs 1-8, read and agreed.

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

The Committee agreed that 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 Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill NIA 25/09 to be printed.

6. Statutory Rule: SR 2010/376 The Health and Personal Social Services (Primary Medical Services Performers Lists) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009

Dr Kieran Deenymade a declaration of interest that he is a GP.

The Committee deferred consideration of this statutory rule to its next meeting andagreed to invite Departmental officials to brief it on the rule.

7. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First and deputy First Minister requesting an update on the Committee’s consideration of European issues and agreed to forward a summary to the OFMDFM Committee.

The Committee noted a letter from Mr Jonathan Bell MLA regarding ophthalmology services and agreed to write to the Department to seek further information.

The Committee noted a letter from the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health regarding the budget for mental health services and agreed to consider this when the budget timetable is clarified.

The Committee noted an email from Mr. Godfrey Young regarding child protection statistics.

The Committee noted a letter from Belfast Healthy Cities inviting Members to an event on 8 December.

The Committee noted a copy of the Western Trust’s annual accounts for year ended March 2010.

The Committee noted a copy of the Ambulance Service’s annual accounts for year ended March 2010.

The Committee noted a letter from Claire McGill MLA regarding the effect of the budget on resources for children’s services and agreed to forward this to the Department for a response.

The Committee noted a letter from the Royal College of Psychiatrists regarding the effect of the budget on mental health services and agreed to consider this when the budget timetable is clarified.

8. Any Other Business

Mr Jim Wells made a declaration of interest that he is a member of Down District Council .

2.50 p.m. Mr Jim Wells vacated the chair.

2.50 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill took the chair.

The Committee discussed the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s decision regarding the Accident & Emergency Unit at the Downe Hospital and agreed to return to this matter following the outcome of a possible legal challenge to the decision. It was further agreed to seek a research paper on the rotation of doctors in other countries and regions.

3.15 p.m. Mr Jim Wells resumed the chair.

The Committee discussed the Departmental consultation on the Dentistry contract and agreed to seek further information on the timeframe.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department for information on its whistle blowing policy.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the implementation of the recommendations made in the Northern Ireland Audit Office report on Domiciliary Care.

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

The Committee agreed to write to the Western Health & Social Care Trust seeking details of recent directions it has given regarding domiciliary care. It was also agreed to write to the Department on this matter.

9. Date, Time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 2 nd December 2010 at 2 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.25 p.m.

Chairperson

Paragraphs 1 to 13, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 14 to 20, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 21 to 63, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 64 to 133, read and agreed.
Paragraphs 134 to 152, read and agreed.