Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 10 October 2012
Venue: Room 29, Parliament Buildings
The meeting commenced at 2.03 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2.05 p.m. Mr Jim Wells joined the meeting.
2.05 p.m. Ms Pam Brown joined the meeting.
2.05 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady joined the meeting.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee agreed a motion on Muscular Dystrophy and related Neuromuscular Conditions.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 3 October 2012
The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 3 October 2012 were agreed.
4. Evidence session on Transforming your Care.
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA - Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Dr Andrew McCormick - Permanent Secretary, Department for Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Mr John Compton - Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board
A question and answer session ensued.
2.47 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
3.06 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.
3.10 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting.
3.48 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
3.55 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.00 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
4.00 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
4.07 p.m. Meeting resumed.
5. Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Committee considered the Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012and agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
6. The Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Committee considered the Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
7. Forward Work Programme.
The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.
The Committee agreed to replace its usual meeting on Wednesday 5 December 2012 with a series of informal meetings with stakeholders/charity groups.
The Committee agreed to request a written update on the pseudomonas reports to be considered at its meeting on 12 December 2012.
The Committee agreed to seek an update from the A&E Action Improvement Group at its meeting on 12 December 2012.
The Committee agreed to take further evidence from the Minister on Transforming Your Care in 2013.
8. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Cancer Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding care home fees.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Independent Living Fund and agreed to keep a watching brief on this issue.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding providing appointment notifications in a format accessible to people with hearing difficulties and agreed to forward this to Action on Hearing Loss.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding dentistry issues and agreed to keep a watching brief on this issue.
The Committee noted a copy of a response from the Department regarding Muckamore Abbey Hospital.
The Committee noted a response from the Safeguarding Board regarding the Historical Abuse Investigation Bill.
The Committee noted a response from the Food Standards Agency regarding the Food (Miscellaneous Amendment and Revocation) Regulations (NI) and agreed that it was content for the Food Standards Agency to prepare to the rule.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister on Community Pharmacy and agreed to forward this to Community Pharmacy NI.
9. Report on Informal Committee meeting 27 September 2012.
The Committee noted a report on informal meetings held on Thursday27 September 2012.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on proposed legislation to standardise packaging for tobacco products and on legislation to ban smoking in vehicles where children are present.
The Committee agreed to forward a petition to the Minister regarding eye tests for those diagnosed with sarcoidosis.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on waiting times for review appointments for epilepsy patients.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on the provision of ME services.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking its views on Optometry NI’s proposal for a Community Eye Health Service.
4.20 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt rejoined the meeting.
10. Correspondence.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Disability Service Framework.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Developing Eyecare Partnerships Strategy.
11. Any other Business.
Members noted that Mr McCallister was leaving the Committee and paid tribute to his work.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 17th October 2012 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.25 p.m.
