Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA 
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA 
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA 
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr Paul Girvan MLA 
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA

Apologies: 
Mr John McCallister 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 2.00 p.m. in open session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

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

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister advising that Professor John Appleby had been commissioned to follow up his 2005 Independent Review of Health & Social Care in Northern Ireland.

The Committee noted a letter from the Department of Education on the Autism Bill.

The Committee noted submissions on the Autism Bill from the Office of the First Minister & deputy First Minister and the Department for Justice.

The Committee noted correspondence regarding the Carer’s Allowance Bill and agreed to write to the Department for its views on the Bill.

2.01 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan joined the meeting.

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

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

3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 27 January 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 27 January 2011 were agreed.

4. Evidence session on the Sunbeds Bill

The Committee took evidence from:

Ms Julie Stewart Health Protection Branch, DHSSPS

Mr Craig Allen Legislation Equality Branch, DHSSPS

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

5. Evidence session on the Health & Social Care Bill

The Committee took evidence from:

Mr David Reilly Legislation Unit, DHSSPS

Dr Jim Livingstone Director of Safety, Quality and Standards, DHSSPS

Dr Naresh Chada Senior Medical Officer, DHSSPS

Ms Joyce Cairns Workforce Planning Unit, DHSSPS

Mr Eugene O'Loan Departmental Solicitor's Office, DHSSPS

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 agreed that it was content for the Department to proceed to prepare the legislative consent motion.

2.51 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

6. Evidence session with the Western Trust and Health & Social Care Board on x-ray issue at Altnagelvin Hospital

The Committee took evidence from:

Mrs Elaine Way Chief Executive, Western Health & Social Care Trust

Dr Anne Kilgallen Medical Director, Western Health & Social Care Trust

Dr Brendan Devlin Lead Clinician for Radiology, Western Health & Social Care Trust

Mr John Compton Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board

Dr Carolyn Harper Executive Medical Director/ Director of Public Health, 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.

2.56 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

Dr Kieran Deeny made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the Western Trust Local Commissioning Group.

4.21 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

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

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

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

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

4.45p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.

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

7. Matters arising

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Department’s policy on whistleblowing.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the legal framework to support the collection of statistical information by the NI Cancer Registry and agreed to copy the response to Mr Galwey who originally raised the issue with the Committee.

The Committee noted a letter from theMinister regarding the consultation on the guidance on the termination of pregnancy.

The Committee noted a letter from the PCC regarding the Minor Ailments Scheme.

The Committee noted correspondence from the MS Society regarding the Dalriada Centre in Ballycastle and agreed to write to the Department regarding this matter.

8. Correspondence

The Committee noted a Departmental consultation on the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of a consultation on an Equality Scheme and Equality Action Plan.

The Committee agreed that the Chair and Vice Chair would represent the Committee at an event with the Chair of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support on Wednesday 23 February.

The Committee noted a letter from the Finance and Personnel Committee on the implementation of departmental efficiency plans from April – September 2010.

The Committee noted an RQIA governance review of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust and agreed to write to the RQIA for further information.

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

9. Any Other Business

The Committee agreed to invite the Department to brief it on the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy at its next meeting.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on funding for Homestart.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking its views on issues raised in a paper prepared by Assembly Research on rural health.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on Positive Futures.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on proposed tobacco regulations.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 10 th February 2011 at 2 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.12 p.m.