Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2011/2012

Date: 16 May 2012

Venue: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

No apologies were received.

2. Chair’s Business

The Committee noted that it would visit the Neo Natal & Children’s Hospital at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Wednesday 23rd May 2012.

The Committee noted that it would hold a series of informal meetings on Thursday 24th May 2012.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department about cooperation with the Department for Employment & Learning and the Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment in relation to the new women and children’s hospital.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 9th May 2012

The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 9th May 2012 were agreed.

4. Assembly Research & Library Services briefing on Emergency care (A & E)

The Committee was briefed by Assembly Research on Emergency care. The Committee noted that additional information has been provided by the Department and will be considered at a future meeting.

2.17 p.m. Mr Jim Wells joined the meeting.

2.21 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.

2.23 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.

5. Evidence session on the Acute Services budget

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Andrew McCormick - Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS

Ms Margaret Rose McNaughton - Assistant Secretary, Secondary Care Directorate, DHSSPS

Mr Paul Gibson - Principal, Financial Planning Unit, DHSSPS

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information.

2.56 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting.

3.28 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

6. Evidence session on the use of external consultants in implementing Transforming Your Care

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Andrew McCormick - Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS

Mr John Compton - Chief Executive, Health and Social Care Board

Ms Pamela McCreedy - Programme Director of Transforming Your Care

A question and answer session ensued.

3.39 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.

3.41 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.

3.44 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.

3.46 p.m. Ms Michelle Gildernew left the meeting.

4.09 p.m. Ms Michelle Gildernew rejoined the meeting.

4.20p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.

4.20 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.

4.33 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

7. Statutory Rule. SR 2012/182. The Children's Homes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.

The Committee considered SR 2012/180. The Children's Homes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of Examiner of Statutory Rules.

8. Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.

9. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Osteoporosis Fracture Service and agreed to write to the Department for further information.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Learning Disability Service Framework Consultation.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding appointments cancelled by hospitals and agreed to write to the Department for further information. The Committee also agreed to arrange an evidence session on this matter.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding a review of pressures faced by Antrim Area Hospital. 

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the approval process for NICE guidance and agreed to copy the response to Arthritis Care and Abbot UK who raised the matter with the Committee.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the size of Health & Social Care Trust boards.

The Committee noted a response from the Health and Social Care Board regarding Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and agreed to copy the response to Action Duchenne who raised the matter with the Committee.

The Committee noted correspondence between the previous Committee and the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister about institutional abuse and agreed to write to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding this matter.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding a consultation on the Review of Heath & Social Care Student Bursary Schemes.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding a consultation on the Breastfeeding Strategy 2012-2022.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding a consultation on proposals to reform the Northern Ireland Social Care Council model of regulation.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the review of 2013-14 and 2014-15 budget allocations and agreed a response.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Environment regarding a Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill Stakeholder Event.

The Committee noted correspondence from Dolores Kelly MLA regarding an ME Sufferer.

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr O'Neill regarding a review of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Royal Hospital and agreed to forward the letter to the Department.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Allied Health Professions Federation regarding concerns about the recruitment process for a lead AHP officer and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.

The Committee noted an invitation from the Children's Law Centre to a training event on the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill and agreed to arrange a seminar with the the Children's Law Centre on an alternative date.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Employment & Learning regarding a briefing it will receive from the Condition Management Programme of the Western Health & Social Care Trust on 23 May 2012.

11. Any Other Business

A member expressed disappointment regarding the Minister’s decision on the Shared Services Project. The Committee noted a 2 year deferment would allow the opportunity to re-examine the decision.

The Committee noted reports that the General Medical Council was to stop holding disciplinary hearings in public and agreed to seek further information.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 30th May 2012 at 2.00pm in room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.09 p.m.

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