Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 12 December 2012
Venue: The Senate Chamber
The meeting commenced at 2.03 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee agreed to invite Relate to an informal meeting.
2.05 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.
The Chairperson briefed members on the visit to Cuba by the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and informed members that a report would be prepared by the Committee Clerk. The Committee agreed a press release regarding the visit.
The Chairperson informed the Committee that members had met with Trade Union Representatives regarding the implementation of Transforming Your Care and agreed to write to the Department regarding the issues raised.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 28th November 2012
The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 28th November 2012 were agreed.
4. Evidence session with Departmental officials regarding January Monitoring
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Julie Thompson, Deputy Secretary of Resources & Performance Management, Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
Mr Peter Toogood, Director of Finance, Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
Mr Adrian Murphy, Head of Capital Expenditure Unit, Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
A question and answer session ensued.
2.12 p.m. Ms Pam Brown joined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending. The Committee agreed to write to the Department stating that it was content with the bid.
2.26 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
2.31 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt rejoined the meeting.
2.31 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
5. Statutory Rule. SR 2012/403. The Mental Health (Private Hospitals) regulations Northern Ireland 2012
The Committee considered the Mental Health (Private Hospitals) regulations Northern Ireland 2012 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
2.42 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
6. Matters rising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Paediatric Cardiac Surgical Services pending a further response from the Department. The Committee agreed that if this response is received over Christmas recess it would be forwarded to members.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding cancelled hospital appointments and agreed to take evidence on this matter following recess.
The Committee agreed to forward a response from the Minister to the Committee for Culture, Arts & Leisure.
The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust regarding the Emergency Department Clinical Director.
The Committee noted a response from the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust regarding prison sexual health services.
The Committee agreed to forward responses from the South Eastern and Northern Health & Social Care Trusts to the Committee for Regional Development.
7. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Commissioning Plan Direction 2013/14.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the delay in the handover of the critical care building at the Royal Victoria Hospital and agreed to write to Department for further information.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a consultation on amendments to the Health & Social Care Pension Scheme Regulations.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding a Foreign & Commonwealth Officer review of the balance of competences.
The Committee noted a letter from Jo-Anne Dobson MLA regarding her intention to propose a Private Members Bill on organ donation.
The Committee noted copies of a letters to the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
The Committee noted an update from the Big Lottery Fund.
The Committee noted the Bryson Charitable Groups Annual Review for 2011/12.
The Committee agreed to decline an invitation from National Energy Action to hold a meeting at the University of Ulster prior to the launch of a report. The Committee also agreed to invite the organisation to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted a letter regarding Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
The Committee noted correspondence from the General Medical Committee regarding the revalidation of doctors.
8. Any other Business
The Committee agreed to write to the Department asking for an update on the business case for testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding Community Pharmacy.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on the e-coli outbreak in Belfast.
9. Evidence session on the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
The Committee considered a letter from a former NIFRS employee and agreed to forward it to the Department for comment.
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Jim Wallace, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
Dr Joe McKee, Chairman, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Board
A question and answer session ensued.
3.15 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne joined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
3.56 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.56 p.m. Mr Jim Wells took the chair.
3.59 p.m. Ms Maeve McLaughlin left the meeting.
4.31 p.m. The meeting moved to private session.
4.31 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
4.31 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
10. Review of Health Inequalities
The Committee noted a response from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding programmes to address health inequalities.
The Committee noted a response from the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding programmes to address health inequalities.
4.35 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
4.36 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
4.38 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt rejoined the meeting.
4.38 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
4.38 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
4.39 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy left the meeting.
4.48 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
4.50 p.m. Ms Pam Brown rejoined the meeting.
4.53 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
4.57 p.m. Ms Pam Brown rejoined the meeting.
The Committee considered the draft recommendations on the Committee review on health inequalities and agreed its amendments.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 16th January 2013 at 2 pm in room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.14 p.m.
