Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 2.03 p.m. in closed session.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received as above.

2. Legal advice

The Committee noted legal advice regarding taking evidence on the community pharmacy contract and the proposed Adoption Bill.

2.04 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting.
2.18 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2.18 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy joined the meeting.

The Committee agreed to review the position regarding taking evidence on the community pharmacy contract until November and in the interim to request a research paper on the Drug Tariff and licensing issues.

The Committee agreed to schedule pre-legislative scrutiny of the Adoption Bill in its forward work programme.

2.36 p.m. The meeting moved to public session.

3. Chairperson’s business

The Committee noted an invitation from the Food Standards Agency to the launch of the Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme on Monday 19 th September 2011.

The Committee noted the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules regarding the Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) Regulations (NI) 2011.

4. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 7th September 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 7th September 2011 were agreed.

5. Matters arising

The Committee noted a briefing paper from the Minister about the resettlement of patients from long stay hospitals. Members noted that the Minister intends to forward a more detailed briefing paper by the end of October and agreed to schedule an evidence session when this has been received.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the transfer of responsibility for child minding & day care from the Department of Education to the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety.

The Committee noted a response from the BMA regarding an informal meeting.

6. Research Services briefing on Group B streptococcus

The Committee was briefed by Assembly Research on Group B streptococcus.

3.00p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.

7. Evidence session on Group B Streptococcus - Group B Strep Support

The Committee took evidence from:

Ms Jane Plumb, Chair, Group B Strep Support
Professor Philip Steer, Chair, Group B Strep Support Medical Panel
Dr Alison Bedford Russell, Group B Strep Support Medical Panel
Mrs Jillian Boyd, Group B Strep Support
Mr Andrew Boyd, Group B Strep Support

A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

3.58 p.m. meeting adjourned.
4.11 p.m. meeting resumed.

8. Departmental evidence session on Group B Streptococcus

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Margaret Boyle, Senior Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Paul Fogarty, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, South Eastern Trust
Dr Stan Craig, Consultant Neonatologist, Belfast Trust

A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

5.29 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
5.32 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.

9. Forward Work Programme

The Committee agreed a Forward Work Programme for the remainder of 2011.

The Committee agreed to arrange a visit to a healthy living centre.

The Committee agreed to request a briefing paper from Assembly Research on the role of the Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency.

The Committee agreed to hold a series of informal meetings with healthcare related groups on Thursday 6 th October.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department for its position on a number of issues before considering whether to put forward motions on these matters.

The Committee noted an invitation from Independent Health & Care Providers to hold a meeting in a residential home and agreed to consider the invitation at a later date.

5.38 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis left the meeting.
5.41 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis rejoined the meeting.
5.43 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
5.45 p.m. Mr Mark Durkan left the meeting.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted a letter from the Western Health and Social Care Trust regarding its accounts for the year ended 31st March 2011.

The Committee noted a letter from Splash Sure Start regarding changes to Community Pharmacy Services.

The Committee noted a letter from Cullyhanna Pharmacy regarding changes to Community Pharmacy Services.

The Committee noted a letter from Dame Joan Harbison, the Older People’s Advocate, seeking a meeting with the Committee, and agreed to invite the Older People’s Advocate to an informal meeting.The Committee noted a letter from the Family Fund seeking a meeting with the Committee,and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from AstraZeneca seeking a meeting and agreed to ask the Company to provide the Committee with a written brief.

The Committee noted a letter from the Belfast Health Initiative seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to ask the organisation to provide it with a written brief and to advise that it may wish to visit one of its projects at a later date.

The Committee noted a request for a meeting from Mrs Hamilton regarding epilepsy services and agreed to invite her to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a request from the Family Group Conference Centre seeking a meeting and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

11. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 21 st September 2011 at 2.00 p.m. in room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.50 p.m.