Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 20 March 2013
Venue: The Senate Chamber
The meeting commenced at 9.39 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on the investigation into the E coli outbreak linked to Flicks restaurant.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding pay banding in the NI Ambulance Service.
The Committee agreed to invite officials to brief it regarding the Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit (PEDU) report on the Department.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 13th March 2013
The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 13th March 2013 were agreed.
4. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2013
The Committee considered the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2013 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the statutory rule.
5. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2013
The Committee considered the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2013 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the statutory rule.
6. Statutory Rule. SR 2013/39. The Food (Miscellaneous Amendment and Revocation) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2013.
The Committee considered SR 2013/39 The Food (Miscellaneous Amendment and Revocation) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2013 and had no objection to the Rule.
7. Statutory Rule. SR 2013/40. The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme and Injury Benefits) and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013.
The Committee considered SR 2013/40 The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme and Injury Benefits) and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and had no objection to the Rule.
8. Statutory Rule. SR 2013/59. The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2013
The Committee considered SR 2013/59. The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2013 and had no objection to the Rule.
9. Matters rising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Ulster Hospital Emergency Department.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding travelling expenses for Community Psychiatric Nurses.
The Committee noted a response from the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust regarding the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit and agreed to copy this to Ms McFall who raised the matter with the Committee.
The Committee noted a response from NEXUS regarding the waiting times for counselling appointments and agreed to write to the Department further regarding this matter.
9.43 a.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
9.44 a.m. Mr Conall McDevitt rejoined the meeting.
9.44 a.m. Mr Sam Gardiner joined the meeting.
9.47 a.m. Ms Maeve McLaughlin joined the meeting.
10. Evidence session on Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Services
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Dr Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS
Mr John Compton, Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board
A question and answer session ensued.
9.57 a.m. Mr Jim Wells joined the meeting.
10.05 a.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy joined the meeting.
10.28 a.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
11. Evidence session on Transforming your Care with the Minister of Health, Social Services & Public Safety
The Committee noted letters from the BMA, Dr Buchanan and Partners, and Dr McKenna regarding concerns about the GP contract. The Committee agreed a response.
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA, Minister of Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Dr Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS
Mr John Compton, Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board
A question and answer session ensued.
10.37 a.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
11.23 a.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.
11.28 a.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
11.30 a.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
11.31 a.m. Mr Mickey Brady rejoined the meeting.
11.35 a.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
11.45 a.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
11.45 a.m. Meeting adjourned.
2.02 p.m. Meeting resumed in closed session with Mr Jim Wells in the Chair.
12. Consideration of evidence taken on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.
The Committee discussed evidence taken on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.
2.12 p.m. Ms Maeve McLaughlin rejoined the meeting.
2.16 p.m. Meeting moved to public session.
13. Evidence session on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Joe McKee, Chairman, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Board
Ms Geraldine Rice, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Board
Mr Jim Wallace, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
A question and answer session ensued.
2.23 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady rejoined the meeting.
2.42 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
2.57 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
3.19 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
3.23 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
3.51 p.m. Ms Maeve McLaughlin left the meeting.
3.52 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
4.15 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.
4.15 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.
4.15 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
4.25 p.m. Meeting resumed with Ms Sue Ramsey in the Chair.
4.25p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
14. Evidence session on the Tobacco Retailers Bill
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Mr Gerard Collins, Health Improvement Policy Branch, DHSSPS
Ms Jenny McAlarney, Health Improvement Policy Branch, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
15. Correspondence
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the Financial Capability Strategy Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Review of the Efficiency Delivery Programme and agreed that it was content that the Committee for Finance and Personnel take evidence from the Department on this matter.
The Committee noted the Investment Strategy Quarterly Update Report for October to December 2012.
The Committee noted a letter from Sustrans.
The Committee agreed to invite the Patient Client Council to an informal meeting regarding its report on Young People's Priorities in Health and Social Care.
The Committee agreed to invite Alere Health Ltd to an informal meeting regarding use of Point of Care Diagnostics.
The Committee noted a letter from Ms Coulter regarding the safety of blind cords and agreed a response.
The Committee noted a letter seeking a meeting regarding a personal case and agreed to refer the correspondent to local representatives for support.
16. Any other Business
The Committee agreed a press release on Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Services
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the prevalence of tuberculosis.
17. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 10th April 2013 at 2.00 pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.59 p.m.
