Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 06 June 2012
Venue: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the role for private nursing home providers under Transforming Your Care.
The Committee noted a letter from the Speaker notifying the Committee that a petition was presented to the Assembly from the Unison Causeway branch regarding A&E at the Causeway Hospital.
The Committee noted a draft programme for its visit to Craigavon Area Hospital on Wednesday 13th June 2012.
3. Draft minutes of the meetings on Wednesday 30th May 2012 & Thursday 31st May 2012.
The minutes of the Committee meetings on Wednesday 30th May 2012 & Thursday 31st May 2012were agreed.
2.04 p.m. Ms Pam Brown joined the meeting.
2.05 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting.
4. Evidence session on the Commissioning Plan 2012/2013
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Catherine Daly - Deputy Secretary, Healthcare Policy Group
Mr Eugene Rooney - Director of Primary Care Directorate
Mr John Compton - Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board
Mr Dean Sullivan - Director of Commissioning, Health & Social Care Board
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information.
2.10 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.
3.00 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
3.01 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.01 p.m. Mr Jim Wells took the chair.
3.15 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
5. Statutory Rule. SR 2012/212. The Misuse of Drugs Designation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Committee considered SR 2012/212. The Misuse of Drugs Designation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the Rule.
6. Statutory Rule. SR 2012/213. The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Committee considered SR 2012/213. The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
7. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.
8. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Community Pharmacy.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding children affected by domestic violence.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding GP Practices that use 0844 numbers.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding HPV Testing.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding overtime payments in Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Patient and Client Council helpline and agreed to write to the Department for further information.
3.27 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Review of Transplant Surgery.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Programme for Government 2011-15 Delivery Plans.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Quality 2020 Implementation Plan.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding an attack on member of staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the EU Drug Strategy.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the Fuel Payment Scheme.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Health & Social Care Shared Services.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Oral Health.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the timetable for a project to look at emerging capacities in children under 16.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Minimum Care Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children under age 12.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to the Committee for Education regarding Allied Health Professional Services.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to the Committee for Regional Development regarding Community Transportation in Rural Areas
The Committee noted a response from the Minister to the Committee for Justice regarding Domestic Violence.
The Committee noted responses from the Department for Regional Development and the Department of Education regarding matters raised by Business in the Community.
The Committee noted a response from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust regarding Prison Health Care Surveys.
The Committee noted a response from the RQIA regarding Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Ash House Women's Prison.
The Committee noted a response from the Equality Commission regarding Equality Impact Assessments.
The Committee noted a letter from the Allergy NI and agreed to sponsor an event during allergy awareness week in September.
The Committee noted a letter from the Safefood regarding Safefood’s Business Plan.
The Committee noted a response from the Royal College of Nursing on the Regional Ward Sister and Team Leader Project.
9. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the 2012-13 Domestic and Sexual Violence Action Plan and agreed to forward this to Women’s Aid and Nexus. The Committee also agreed to take evidence on the Action Plan following recess.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a consultation on the management of HIV-infected healthcare workers.
The Committee noted a letter from the Committee for Employment and Learning about the Condition Management Programme and agreed to forward this to the Department.
The Committee noted a letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the monitoring of Post Project Evaluations.
The Committee noted a letter from Mr Conall McDevitt MLA regarding a consultation on a Private Members Bill.
The Committee noted a letter from the General Medical Council regarding the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.
The Committee noted a letter from Catch 22 regarding supporting young people at risk of offending.
The Committee noted a letter from the Belfast Health Initiative.
3.29 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from the Society of Parents and Friends of Muckamore Abbey regarding funding for the Bridge Association and agreed to defer consideration of this matter to its next meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from Save the Mid regarding Antrim Area Hospital.
The Committee noted a letter from Ms Karen Delany regarding the fluoridation of drinking water and agreed to forward the letter to the Department for response and ask that the Committee is copied into the response.
The Committee noted a letter from Ms Megan Kelly regarding Ashcroft House and agreed to forward the letter to the Department for response and ask that the Committee is copied into the response.
The Committee noted a letter from Ms Karen Green regarding IVF treatment and agreed to forward the letter to the Department for response and ask that the Committee is copied into the response.
The Committee noted a letter from the Carers Trust seeking a meeting with it and agreed to invite the organisation to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from Niamh seeking a meeting with it and agreed to invite the organisation to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from the Association for Infant Mental Health seeking a meeting with it and agreed to invite the organisation to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted an invitation from Threshold to visit one of its projects.
10. Any Other Business
The Committee agreed to take evidence following recess from the Health & Social Care Trusts on the implementation of the Interim and Final RQIA Reports on the pseudomonas outbreak at the neonatal units.
The Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking his views on a serious adverse incident report on a death in the Royal Hospital’s Emergency Department. The Committee also agreed to request a redacted copy of the report.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 20th June 2012 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.38 p.m.
