Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 2.11 p.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

No apologies were received.

2. Committee discussion on appointing a Specialist Adviser

The Committee agreed the membership for the sub-committee to appoint a specialist adviser on budget.

The Committee noted that the first sub-committee meeting would take place on Tuesday 29 th November 2011.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 9 th November 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 9 th November 2011 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the working group taking forward the recommendations of the Dental Hospital Inquiry and agreed to write to the Department about trade union representation on the working group.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the prevention of fractures resulting from osteoporosis in older people and agreed that a draft Committee motion should be prepared for its next meeting.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister notifying the Committee of the launch of the Northern Ireland Dementia Strategy. The Committee also noted a letter from Professor Passmore a facility providing dementia services and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding proposed legislation to increase the size of the boards of each Trust by one member and agreed to write to the Department further.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit (PEDU) review.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding animal experimentation and agreed to copy this to the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.

The Committee noted a briefing paper from the Department regarding a Committee for Social Development Fuel Poverty Event.

The Committee noted a letter from Belfast Health Initiative about complementary therapies.

5. Evidence session with the Mental Health & Learning Disability Alliance on the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill

The Committee took evidence from:

Ms Ursula O’Hare Assistant Director, Policy & Publications, Law Centre NI /Chair of the Mental Health & Learning Disability Alliance

Ms Liz Main Communications & Public Affairs Consultant, Royal College of Psychiatrists

Ms Paschal McKeown Information & Policy Manager, Mencap

Ms Catherine Harper Peer Advocate, Irish Advocacy Network

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

3.17 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.

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

3.18 p.m. Mr Mark H Durkan left the meeting.

3.20 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.

3.25 p.m. Ms Michaela Boyle left the meeting.

3.29 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis left the meeting.

3.33 p.m. Ms Michaela Boyle rejoined the meeting.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department about engagement with the Department of Justice regarding the Bill, the development of a code of conduct, and training issues.

6. Assembly Research paper on adoption

The Committee was briefed by Assembly Research on Adoption.

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

3.37 p.m. Mr Mark H Durkan rejoined the meeting.

3.37 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.

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

3.53 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis rejoined the meeting.

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

7. Evidence session with Departmental officials on the proposed Adoption and Children’s Bill

The Committee took evidence from:

Mr Sean Holland Chief Officer, Office of Social Services, DHSSPS

Ms Eilís McDaniel Acting Director of Child Care Policy Directorate, DHSSPS

Ms Frances Nicholson Social Services Officer, DHSSPS

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

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

Mr Sam Gardiner made a declaration of interest that a family member was involved in adoption services.

4.08 p.m. Ms Michaela Boyle left the meeting.

8. Assembly Research paper on the Pharmaceutical List and the Northern Ireland Drug Tariff

The Committee noted an Assembly Research paper on the Pharmaceutical List and the Northern Ireland Drug Tariff.

4.54 p.m. Mr Mark H Durkan left the meeting.

9. Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted its forward work programme.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a strategic framework for public health and agreed to write to the Department for further information.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the General Dental Services budget and agreed to write to the Department further.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the launch of ‘Quality 2020: A 10-year strategy to Protect and Improve Quality in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland’ and agreed to write to the Department for further information.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy and agreed to write to the Department for further information.

The Committee noted a letter from the BMA NI regarding the Medical Student Management Group.

The Committee noted a letter from Down District Council regarding Community Pharmacy services.

The Committee noted correspondence from General Medical Council regarding a consultation on the new draft of the guidance Good Medical Practice.

The Committee noted correspondence from General Medical Council regarding their annual survey of junior doctors.

The Committee noted a copy of a letter to the Northern Ireland Social Care Council and agreed to suggest that the individual contacts the constituency MLAs for support.

4.57 p.m. MrsPam Lewis left the meeting.

11. Any Other Business

The Committee agreed to visit the cancer units at Queens University Belfast and at the University of Ulster.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 23 rd November 2011 at 2.00 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.01 p.m.