Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 06 February 2013
Venue: The Senate Chamber
The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No Apologies were received.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee agreed a motion on ovarian cancer awareness. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department regarding NICE guidance on ovarian cancer.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding research carried out on annual health checks.
The Committee noted that the debate on its health inequalities report would take place week commencing 18 February.
The Committee agreed to hold a concurrent meeting with members of the Committee for Agriculture & Rural Development on Tuesday 12 February 2013 to take evidence on food contamination and safety.
2.05 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting.
2.05 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady joined the meeting.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the Minister’s written statement announcing plans for Emergency Care in the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for further information regarding children’s heart surgery.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 30th January 2013
The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 30th January 2013 were agreed.
4. Presentation by Assembly Research & Library Service on appointments cancelled by hospitals
The Committee was briefed on appointments cancelled by hospitals.
2.13 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.
5. Evidence session on appointments cancelled by hospitals.
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr John Compton, Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board
Mr Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Mr Sean Donaghy, Chief Executive, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
Mrs Mairead McAlinden, Chief Executive, Southern Health & Social Care Trust
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with further information.
2.52 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne joined the meeting.
3.36 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
3.44 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
3.49 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
3.49 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
3.52 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
3.54 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt rejoined the meeting.
3.58 p.m. Ms Maeve McLaughlin left the meeting.
4.06 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
4.19 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
4.25 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
4.29 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
4.30 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
4.30 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
4.42 p.m. Meeting resumed with Mr Jim Wells in the Chair.
6. Evidence session on the Accident and Emergency Improvement Action Group
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS
Ms Catherine Daly, Deputy Secretary, DHSSPS
Mr John Compton, Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board
Ms Mary Hinds, Director of Nursing & Allied Health Professionals, Health & Social Care Board
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with further information.
4.44 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt rejoined the meeting.
4.45 p.m. Ms Pam Brown rejoined the meeting.
4.55 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
5.07 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.
5.09 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
5.09 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
5.12 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy left the meeting.
5.30 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
7. Matters rising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding community pharmacy.
8. Correspondence
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to Mr Barry McElduff MLA regarding dual registration and child minding ratios.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a consultation on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme legislation.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Justice regarding mental capacity legislation.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding Forecast Outturn Reports.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Education regarding Post-19 Special Educational Needs Provision.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Social Development providing an update on Fuel Poverty Action Groups.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Regional Development regarding its Inquiry into the Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport Options and agreed to forward a letter to the Department.
The Committee noted correspondence from the BDA NI seeking a meeting with it regarding the Department’s consultation on treatments available through general dental services and agreed to arrange an evidence session with the BDA and the Department following the completion of the consultation.
The Committee noted correspondence from the GMC regarding guidance on assisting suicide and prescribing.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Orla McElroy regarding the Safe and Sustainable Review into Children’s Congenital Heart Services and agreed write to the Department regarding this matter.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted its forward Work Programme.
10. Any other Business
No other business was discussed.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be a concurrent meeting with the Committee for Agriculture & Rural Development on Tuesday 12th February 2013 at 1 pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The next scheduled Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 13th February 2013 at 2 pm in room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.40 p.m.
