Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Apologies

No apologies were received.

2. Chairs Business

2.05 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis joined the meeting.

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

The Committee noted correspondence from NIPSA regarding strike action planned across the public sector on Wednesday 30 th November 2011 and agreed to reschedule the planned Committee meeting for 30 th November to an alternative day that same week and if it was not possible to reschedule the meeting, the business would be dealt with at the next meeting on 7 th December 2011.

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

The Committee noted that the sub-committee to appoint a specialist adviser will meet on Tuesday 29 th November 2011 followed by a photo call to promote World Aids Day.

The Committee noted that informal meetings with healthcare related groups will take place on Thursday 1 st December 2011.

The Committee agreed an amended Committee motion regarding the prevention of fractures resulting from osteoporosis.

The Committee noted a draft agenda for a Committee visit to Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry on Wednesday 7 th December 2011.

The Committee noted that the Chairperson would send electronic Christmas cards on behalf of the Committee.

The Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding the delay in providing details of planned expenditure for 2011/12.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the ‘The Pharmacy (NI) Order 1976 (Amendment) Order (NI) 2011’ and agreed to invite officials to brief it on this legislation at its meeting on Wednesday 7 th December 2011. The Committee also agreed to write to the Pharmaceutical Society NI, the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee and the Ulster Chemists Association seeking their views on this legislation.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 16 th November 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 16 th November 2011 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding transport for patients to hospital appointments and agreed to write to the Department again about this matter. The Committee also agreed write to the Department for Regional Development about this matter and the Health & Social Care Board about the role of rural transport in the Health & Social Care Review.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about IVF provision and agreed to write to the Department again about this matter.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about Community Meals and agreed to take evidence on Community Meals and request a research paper on the matter.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the Sunbeds (Fixed Penalty) Regulations and the Sunbeds (Information) Regulations and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare these Statutory Rules.

The Committee welcomed a response from the Minister agreeing to the Committee’s request that a consultation be carried out on the proposed ‘Mental Health (Private Hospitals) Regulations and agreed to invite officials to brief it on responses to the consultation in due course.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding issues raised by the NI Chest Heart & Stroke association and agreed to write to the Department for further information. The Committee also agreed to copy the Minister’s response to the Chest, Heart & Stroke Association.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding issues raised by the Allied Health Professionals and agreed to write to the Department for further information. The Committee also agreed to copy the Minister’s response to the Allied Health Professionals.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade & Investment regarding energy performance data provided by the Department.

5. Evidence session on Adult Social Care – Northern Ireland Social Care Council

The Committee took evidence from:

Mr Brendan Johnston Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Ms Patricia Higgins Director of Regulation, Northern Ireland Social Care Council

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

6. Evidence session on Adult Social Care – Age NI

The Committee took evidence from:

Ms Anne O’Reilly Chief Executive, Age NI

Mr Duane Farrell Director of Policy, Age NI

Ms Judith Cross Strategic Policy Advisor for Health and Social Care, Age NI

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

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

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

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

3.40 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady rejoined the meeting.

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

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

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

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

7. Evidence session on the Health & Social Care Review

The Committee took evidence from:

Mr John Compton Chair, Health & Social Care Review

Ms Catherine Daly Deputy Secretary, DHSSPS

Professor Deirdre Heenan Panel member, Health & Social Care Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4.26 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady rejoined the meeting.

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

8. Proposed Statutory Rule

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department about the Safeguarding Board NI (Membership, Procedure, Exercise of Functions and Committee) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011and agreed to defer consideration of this until the consultation has been completed by the Department.

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

9. Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted its forward work programme.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister about future arrangements for death certification.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Department’s revised Good Management Good Records disposal schedule.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the work of PEDU in respect of the monitoring of Programme for Government.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding Post Project Evaluations.

The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for Education about the administration of medication of pupils to the Minister.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Education about access to specialist support for a person with autism.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Environment regarding correspondence from the Post 19 Lobby Group and agreed to respond to the Committee for the Environment stating that this matter has been referred to the All Party Group on Disability.

The Committee noted a letter from the Belfast Mental Health Rights Group regarding the Card Before You Leave Scheme for people at risk of suicide or self-harm who attend A&E departments and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.

The Committee noted a letter from the Chairperson of the Regional Training and Advisory Group for Cardiac Clinical Physiology about the regulation of clinical physiologists and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.

The Committee noted correspondence from Partnership Care West seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted correspondence from Primrose Hill Day Care Nursery regarding a dispute with social services and agreed to refer the nursery to local representatives for support.

11. Any Other Business

The Committee discussed strike action planned across the public sector on Wednesday 30 th November 2011. A number of members wished it recorded that they were unhappy that the meeting was to be rescheduled because of the planned strike action and it was agreed that staff would endeavor to find an alternative meeting time on Tuesday 29 th November 2011.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The Committee noted that the Committee staff would endeavor to find an alternative meeting time on Tuesday 29 th November 2011 and the next Committee meeting following this will be on Wednesday 7 th December 2011 at 1.30 p.m. in Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.47 p.m.