Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 30 May 2012
Venue: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
The meeting commenced at 2.04 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee noted that the Children’s Law Centre will deliver a training seminar on Tuesday 19th June and that the Justice Committee and other interested MLAs would be invited.
The Committee discussed the procedure for statutory rules.
The Committee noted that there would be an additional evidence session on Thursday 31st May 2012 regarding the pseudomonas report.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 16th May 2012
The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 16th May 2012 were agreed.
4. Evidence session on June Monitoring and Forecast Outturn for 2011/2012
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Julie Thompson - Deputy Secretary, Resources and Performance Management Group
Ms Catherine Daly - Deputy Secretary, Healthcare Policy Group
Dr Bernie Stuart - Director of Health Estates Investment Group
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information.
2.18 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.
2.22 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
2.30 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2.31 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
2.43 p.m. Ms Michelle Gildernew left the meeting.
2.45 p.m. Ms Michelle Gildernew rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
5. Evidence session on suicide prevention and the ‘Protect Life’ Strategy
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Michael McBride - Chief Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Eddie Rooney - Chief Executive, Public Health Agency
Mr Colm Donaghy - Chair, Suicide Strategy Implementation Body
Mr Gerard Collins - Health Improvement Policy Branch, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide additional information.
3.29 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
3.44 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
3.53 p.m. Ms Michelle Gildernew left the meeting.
3.59 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy left the meeting.
4.01 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy rejoined the meeting.
4.05 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.
4.13 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
4.13 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt left the meeting.
4.19 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.23p.m. Meeting adjourned.
4.23 p.m. Mr John McCallister left meeting.
4.33 p.m. Meeting resumed.
6. Evidence session on Accident & Emergency reports on Antrim Area Hospital
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Andrew McCormick - Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS
Mr John Compton - Chief Executive, HSC Board
Ms Mary Hinds - Public Health Agency
Mr Sean Donaghy - Chief Executive, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide additional information.
5.11 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
5.32 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
7. Draft Commissioning Plan
The Committee noted the draft Commissioning Plan for 2012/13 and agreed to arrange an evidence session with departmental officials on Wednesday 6th June 2012.
8. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Foster Placement (Children) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
The Committee considered the Foster Placement (Children) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.
The Committee agreed to write to hospital campaign groups and the unions for their views on current issues around Accident & Emergency services.
The Committee agreed to arrange a visit to Craigavon Area Hospital Accident & Emergency Unit on 13 June 2012.
10. Any Other Business
The Committee agreed to invite Women’s Aid to an informal meeting.
The Committee agreed to seek an update on the Domestic and Sexual Violence Action Plan.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 31st May 2012 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.44 p.m.