Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 29 November 2011
Venue: Room 29, Parliament Buildings
The meeting commenced at 1.45 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 23rd November 2011
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 23rd November 2011 were agreed.
3. Chair’s Business
The Chairperson reminded members that the Committee would be holding informal meetings with health related groups on Thursday 1st December 2011.
4. Evidence session on primary care partnerships
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Eugene Rooney Director of Primary Care, DHSSPS
Dr Sloan Harper Director of Integrated Care, HSCB
Mr John Farrell Assistant Director of Primary Care, DHSSPS
1.49 p.m. Mr Jim Wells joined the meeting.
A question and answer session ensued.
2.01 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
2.08 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
2.15 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
2.16 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
2.32 p.m. The Committee meeting adjourned.
3.02 p.m. The Committee meeting resumed.
3.05 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
3.05 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
3.05 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
3.07 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
5. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about funding for the NI Music Therapy Trust and Home-start schemes and agreed to write to the Minister again about this matter. The Committee also agreed to write to the Chairs of the Local Commissioning Groups.
3.10 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis left the meeting.
The Committee noted a response from the Department regarding the evidence given to the Committee at an evidence session on allegations of abuse at Lissue and Forster Green Hospitals on 26th October 2011. The Committee agreed to write to the Department for further information and to arrange a further evidence session on this matter.
3.13 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis rejoined the meeting.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to the Committee for the Environment regarding its inquiry into used tyre disposal.
3.15 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
6. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted its forward work programme and agreed to write to the Department about the evidence session scheduled for 14 December on the Review of Health & Social Care.
3.19 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
7. Correspondence
The Committee noted the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland Activity Report.
The Committee noted a copy of a letter from Raymond McCartney MLA to the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
The Committee noted a letter from Fermanagh Rural Community Network seeking a meeting and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.
3.20 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from Primary Care NI about equipment they provide and agreed to advise the company to contact the Department about this matter.
The Committee agreed to accept an invitation to visit the new Macmillan Palliative Care Unit at Antrim Area Hospital.
The Committee noted a letter from the NI Association of Social Workers seeking a meeting and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted correspondence about the protection of social care workers in the private sector and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.
The Committee noted correspondence about perinatal mental health services and agreed to write to the Department about this matter.
3.24 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.
8. Any Other Business
The Committee agreed to meet at 10 am on Wednesday 30th November 2011 to discuss the following motion:
“That the decision taken by the Committee at its meeting of 23rd November regarding the rescheduling of the meeting on 30th November 2011 be rescinded”.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 30th November 2011 at 10 am in room 30 Parliament Buildings
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.38 p.m.
