Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 09 May 2012
Venue: Room 29
The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies received as above.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee agreed to take evidence from the Department and the Health & Social Care Board to brief it on the use of consultants in implementing Transforming Your Care at its next meeting.
The Committee noted a joint letter from the Minister of Health, Social Services & Public Safety and the Minister of Justice regarding the Committee stage of the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill. The Chairperson informed members that she and the Deputy Chairperson had met with the Ministers regarding this matter who have agreed to provide the Committee with a briefing paper.
The Committee agreed to consider a draft committee motion on a time frame for the completion of the new regional women and children’s hospital.
The Committee noted reports that the RQIA has de-registered the Owenvale nursing home and agreed to write to the Department about the matter.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 2nd May 2012
The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 2nd May 2012 were agreed.
4. Evidence session on the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill with the Children’s Law Centre
The Committee took evidence from:
Mrs Natalie Whelehan, Policy Officer, Children’s Law Centre
Mr Eamonn McNally, Mental Health Solicitor, Children’s Law Centre
A question and answer session ensued.
2.24 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2.27 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne joined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
5. Evidence session on the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill with the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children & Young People
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, Commissioner for Children & Young People
Ms Colette McIlvanna, Senior legal & Casework Officer, NICCY
A question and answer session ensued.
2.49 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting.
3.05 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
3.08 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
3.11 p.m. Mr Conall Mcdevitt rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
6. Evidence session on the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill with Departmental officials
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Christine Jendoubi, Director of Mental Health, DHSSPS
Ms Alison McCaffrey, Principle, DHSSPS
Mr Patrick McConville, Principle, DHSSPS
Ms Patricia Nicholl, Social Services Officer, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued.
3.23 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
3.44 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
3.45 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
4.03 p.m. Ms Pam Brown rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. The Committee agreed to request a research paper on the issue of mental capacity for under 16s and to ask the Department to provide a timeframe for the project on emerging capacity of under 16s.
7. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display) Regulations (NI) 2012
The Committee considered the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display) Regulations (NI) 2012 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.
8. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display of Prices) Regulations (NI) 2012
The Committee considered the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display of Prices) Regulations (NI) 2012 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.
9. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Specialist Tobacconists) Regulations (NI) 2012
The Committee considered the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Specialist Tobacconists) Regulations (NI) 2012 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.
10. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Misuse of Drugs Designation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012.
The Committee considered the Misuse of Drugs Designation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.
11. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
The Committee considered the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.
12. Statutory Rule. SR 2012/180. The Food Additives (Amendment) and the Extraction Solvents in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
The Committee considered SR 2012/180. The Food Additives (Amendment) and the Extraction Solvents in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of Examiner of Statutory Rules.
13. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.
14. Research and Library Service Briefing Paper. Northern Ireland Waiting Lists: Current and Historical Trends for Outpatients, Inpatients and Diagnostic Services
The Committee agreed to invite Research and Library Service to brief it on the paper.
15. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the implementation of the recommendations in an RQIA Report on Hygiene Inspections and agreed to copy the response to Mr Bond who raised it the issue with the Committee. The Committee also agreed to write to the Royal College of Nursing seeking its views on the ward sister team leader project.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister stating that Trusts do not incur financial penalties for failing to meet elective care targets.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about waiting times at Emergency Departments.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Food Safety Promotion Board's 2012 Business Plan and agreed to forward the response to the Food Safety Promotion Board.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the implementation of the Protect Life Suicide Prevention Strategy.
The Committee noted a response from the Public Health Agency regarding budget allocations for sexual health and the HPV vaccine.
The Committee noted responses from the British Medical Association Northern Ireland & the Royal College of General Practitioners about the use of 0844 numbers in GP Practices.
The Committee noted a letter from Down District Council seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to decline the request.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding corrections to the Sunbeds (Information) Regulations (NI) 2012 & the Sunbeds (Fixed Penalty) (General) Regulations (NI) 2012.
16. Correspondence
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the role of PEDU in Programme for Government Monitoring.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding European Union funding.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Social Development regarding a review of passported benefits.
The Committee noted correspondence from the General Medical Council regarding a consultation on guidance.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Bridge Association regarding its contract with the Northern Trust and agreed to write to the Association stating that it does not become involved in contractual matters.
The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the Bethany Survivors Group to the Minister for Justice.
The Committee noted correspondence regarding an individual case and agreed to refer the correspondent to their constituency representatives.
The Committee noted correspondence from Terra Firma Capital Partners Limited regarding its acquisition of Four Seasons Healthcare.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Association for Clinical Biochemistry seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.
17. Any Other Business
The Committee agreed to consider correspondence from the previous Committee regarding clerical abuse at its next meeting.
The Committee noted that the Minister would be making a statement regarding the Shared Services Project on Monday 14th May 2012.
18. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 16th May 2012 at 2.00pm in room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.39 p.m.
