Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chair's Business

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding new health centres in Newry and Lisburn and correspondence from UNISON regarding the role of the private sector in the health system. The Committee agreed to invite trade union representatives to an informal meeting. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department for further information on the decision making process for the new health centres.

The Committee noted information regarding Antrim Hospital Accident and Emergency services and agreed to write to the Department for further information and to schedule an evidence session on the report of the Turn Around and Support Team. The Committee also agreed to arrange an informal meeting with officials on this matter.

The Committee agreed to write to the Southern Health & Social Care Trust regarding proposed changes to services.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the Mental Capacity Bill.
The Committee noted that it would be meeting informally with health and social care related groups on 15 May 2013.
The Committee agreed to co-sponsor an event being organised by the Patient Client Council and the Consumer Council with the Committee for Regional Development.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 10th April 2013.

The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 10th April 2013 were agreed.

4. Assembly Research & Library Service briefing on cancelled appointments.

The Committee was briefed on cancelled hospital appointments.
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding the delay in providing certain information.

5. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Appointment of Consultants (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013.

The Committee considered the Appointment of Consultants (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the statutory rule.

6. Statutory Rule. SR 2013/84. The New Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013.

The Committee considered SR 2013/84. The New Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 and had no objection to the Rule.

7. Statutory Rule. SR 2013/85. The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013.

The Committee considered SR 2013/85. The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 and had no objection to the Rule.

8. Matters rising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Commissioning Plan 2013/14.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Willowbank Community Resource Centre and agreed to copy this to Willowbank.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Tuberculosis cases in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Antrim.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding psychiatric diagnosis and treatment and agreed to copy the response to Mr McGuigan who raised this matter with the Committee.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding generic medicines.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding an E.Coli outbreak.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Down's syndrome screening.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding treatment for Cystic Fibrosis.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the case of Mrs McGinley.
The Committee noted a response from the Department of Justice on illicit tobacco legislation and agreed to write to the Department of Justice for further information.

9. Correspondence

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Tobacco Retailer's Bill.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the draft Foods in Schools Policy.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the introduction of a Respiratory Medicine Use Review Service.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding Pre-registration Pharmacy Training.
The Committee noted a letter from the Department regarding the Investment Strategy for NI Investing Activity Report March 2013.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding its Review of the Efficiency Delivery Programme and agreed to forward this to the Department.
The Committee noted correspondence from from the Committee for Regional Development regarding its Inquiry into Bus Transport Options.
The Committee noted correspondence from PV Crooks regarding the Department's consultation on dental services.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Browne regarding the Department's consultation on dental services.
The Committee agreed to sponsor an event being organised by Praxis Care to mark World Mental Health Day.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms McElroy regarding Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Surgery.
The Committee noted a letter from the Alzheimer's Society seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the organisation to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from Age NI regarding Adult Care and Support.
The Committee noted a letter from Bristow Helicopters Ltd regarding the UK Search and Rescue contract.

10. Forward Work Programme.

The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.

11. Any other Business.

Mr Kieran McCarthy thanked members for their support during his recent family bereavement.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 24th April 2013 at 1.00 pm in room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.13 p.m.