Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chair's Business

The Committee noted that a petition regarding Cushendall Fire Station had been laid in the Assembly.
The Committee noted that a petition regarding the Meningitis B vaccine is to be laid in the Assembly on 11 June 2013.The Committee noted that its next meeting would take place in the Minor Hall, Magee Campus, University of Ulster.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 29th May 2013.

The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 29th May 2013 were agreed.

4. Tobacco Retailers Bill. Evidence session with the Tobacco Manufacturers Association

The Committee noted correspondence from Cancer Research UK and agreed a response.
Mr Roy Beggs made a Declaration of Interest that his father is a local councillor.
Ms Pam Brown made a Declaration of Interest that she is a local councillor.
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Jaine Chisholm Caunt Secretary General, Tobacco Manufacturers Association
A question and answer session ensued.
2.19 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy joined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.

5. Evidence session on proposed legislation to amend the Health and Social Care Reform Act 2009.

The Committee noted that briefing papers had arrived late and agreed to postpone the evidence session to 12 June 2013
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister about delays in providing it with briefing papers.

6. Statutory Rule. SR 2013/141. The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) (Injury Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013.

The Committee considered the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) (Injury Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

7. Statutory Rule. SR 2013/147. The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (Continuing Professional Development) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013.

The Committee considered the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (Continuing Professional Development) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

8. Matters rising

The Committee noted a response from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding Statutory Residential Care Homes.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Patient and Client Council regarding its Young People's Priorities in Health and Social Care Report.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Coulter on the safety of blind cords and agreed a response.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about mileage payments and agreed to copy this to community nurses who raised this matter with it and MLAs in the Northern HSC Trust area.

9. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the Health and Social Care Pension Scheme.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding draft minimum care standards for children's homes.
The Committee noted two European health inequalities reports.
The Committee noted the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland Investing Activity Report for May 2013.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Belfast Health Initiative and agreed a response.
The Committee noted correspondence from Domestic Care regarding the provision of Community Meals and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.
The Committee noted correspondence from Participation and the Practice of Rights to the Minister regarding the Card Before You Leave System and agreed to ask the Department to copy the Minister's response to it.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ofcom regarding alcohol advertising.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
The Committee noted correspondence from Imtac regarding accessible parking.
The Committee noted an update from the European Connected Health Alliance.
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr McCloy regarding the Northern Health & Social Care Trust Board.
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr McCloy regarding deaths in Accident & Emergency units.

10. Forward Work Programme.

The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.

11. Any other Business.

No other business was discussed.
2.31 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
2.56 p.m. Meeting resumed.

12. Evidence session on Transforming Your Care with Trade Union officials

The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Patricia McKeown Regional Secretary, UNISON
Mr Kevin McCabe Assistant Secretary, NIPSA
Mr Kevin McAdam Regional Officer, Unite
Ms Maura McKenna Trade Union Co-ordinator, HSC Trade Unions
Mr Jonathan Swallow UNISON
2.57 p.m. Ms Pam Brown rejoined the meeting.
2.59 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy rejoined the meeting.
Mr Conall McDevitt made a declaration of interest that he is a member of a trade union.
Mr Mickey Brady made a declaration of interest that he is a member of a trade union.
Ms Sue Ramsey made a declaration of interest that she is a member of a trade union.
Ms Paula Bradley made a declaration of interest that she is a member of a trade union.
A question and answer session ensued.
3.24 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne joined the meeting.
3.36 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
3.40 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
3.54 p.m. Ms Pam Brown rejoined the meeting.
3.59 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
4.03 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
4.12 p.m. Mr Roy Beggs left the meeting.
4.13 p.m. Mr Roy Beggs rejoined the meeting.
The Witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with further information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
The Committee agreed to write to Health & Social Care Trusts for information on Statutory Residential Homes.

13. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 12th June 2013 at 2.00pm in the Minor Hall, Magee Campus.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.27 p.m.