Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received as above.

2. Chairperson’s business

The Committee agreed to discuss potential motions on caesarean section rates and motor neurone disease at its next meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister setting out his legislative programme for the mandate and agreed to write to the Minister asking that the

Mental Capacity Bill and Adoption Bill be introduced as early as possible in the mandate.

The Committee agreed to sponsor an event to mark the 10 th anniversary of the NI Social Care Council.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 20 th July 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 20 th July 2011 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Review of Health and Social Care and agreed to invite the review team to brief the Committee.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the implementation of private dentistry regulations and agreed to write the Department again regarding this matter and copy the letter to the British Dental Association. The Committee also noted a letter from Mr Seamus Killough on this matter.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister providing the Committee with a copy of the executive summary of the dental hospital inquiry and agreed to write to the Department regarding the implementation of the inquiry’s recommendations.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the RQIA review of radiology.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the Independent Health and Care Providers’ call for a review of Southern Cross care homes.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about funding for the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust and agreed to write to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister about this matter and copy the correspondence to the Music Therapy Trust.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister in relation to Clinical Excellence Awards and agreed to schedule an evidence session on this issue once the UK Review is published.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding scrutiny of secondary legislation and agreed to write to the Department for an update on proposals to introduce further legislation regarding trade union membership of HSC Boards.

The Committee noted responses from the five Health & Social Care Trusts providing details of services and posts funded by private agencies.

The Committee noted a letter from South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust about reductions to the opening hours of the accident & emergency department at Lagan Valley Hospital.

The Committee noted a response from the Health & Social Care Board regarding the creation of a specialist nurse post for motor neurone disease and agreed to write to the Board again regarding this matter and copy the Motor Neurone Disease Association into the correspondence.

The Committee noted a letter from the Ulster Chemists Association regarding the postponement of the Committee’s evidence session on community pharmacy which had been scheduled for 29 June 2011. Members noted that the Committee would consider legal advice on this matter at its next meeting.

The Committee noted an update from the Committee for Culture, Arts & Leisure on the Health in Mind event.

5. Members interests

The Committee noted a record of Members’ interests.

6. Research Services briefing on an overview of resource spend on health and social care

The Committee was briefed by Assembly Research on an overview of resource spend on health and social care.

2.50p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.

The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session with the Department on spend for 2010/2011 and 2011/2012.

7. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/236. The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions and Imports from China) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

The Committee considered SR 2011/236 The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions and Imports from China) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

8. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/256. The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pensions Scheme)(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

Ms Paula Bradley made a declaration of interest that she is a member of the health service pension scheme.

The Committee considered SR 2011/256 The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pensions Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

9. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/284. The Extraction Solvents in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

The Committee considered SR 2011/284 The Extraction Solvents in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

10. Proposed Statutory Rules

The Committee considered the Healthy Start and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.

The Committee considered the Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) (NI) Order 2011 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the rule.

The Committee considered the Mental Health (Private Hospital) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and agreed to invite officials to brief it on this proposed legislation.

11. Correspondence

The Committee noted that a number of reports and annual accounts had been received in the Committee Office during summer recess.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister providing the Committee with the conclusions and recommendations of the Department’s review of the Investing for Health strategy.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister providing the Committee with details of the Department’s review of regional consultant - led dental services.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of the Department’s intention to bring in regulations in relation to re-imbursement of treatment obtained by patients in other EEA countries.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of the Minister’s intention to carry out a consultation on the future direction and funding of adult social care in spring 2012 and agreed to invite the NI Social Care Council and Age NI to give evidence to it on this matter.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister notifying the Committee of a European Commission report entitled ‘2nd Report on Voluntary and Unpaid Donation of Tissues and Cells’.

The Committee noted consultations on a Review of District Nursing, the Department’s Disability Action Plan 2012-2014, and Developing Eyecare Partnerships and Improving Eyecare Provision.

The Committee noted a consultation on the draft Minimum Care Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children under age 12 and agreed to ask the Department for a summary of responses to the consultation.

The Committee noted a letter from the South Eastern Trust regarding its draft Corporate Plan for the period 2011-15.

The Committee agreed to request a copy of the Belfast Trust’s Delivery Plan which was discussed at the Board meeting on 7 September 2011.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Justice seeking the Committee’s views on an SL1 in relation to the “Commencement Order: Corporate Manslaughter: Custody/Detention” and agreed to write to the Minister for his views on this matter.

The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for the Environment regarding gorse fires to the Department.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minster regarding European issues and agreed to write to the Department regarding funding opportunities from European programmes.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel providing the terms of reference for the Executive’s Review of Financial Process.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Budget Exchange Scheme.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the Social Economy Enterprise Strategy: Annual Report 2010-2011.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development informing the Committee that it will be taking evidence from the Food Standards Agency.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minster providing copies of the ISNI Activity Report for July and August 2011.

The Committee noted correspondence from a survivor of the Donagh abuse case seeking a meeting with members of the Committee alongside members of the Justice Committee and agreed the Committee Chairpersons liaise on this issue.

The Committee noted a letter from Arthritis Care seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from Dementia Services Development Centre, seeking to meet with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from Professor Peter Passmore from Queens University seeking to meet with the Committee and agreed to invite him to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from the Alzheimer’s Society seeking to meet with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from Rare Disease UK seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from Children in Northern Ireland seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from the Royal College of General Practitioners seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from Stroke Association seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from the National Autistic Society seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from Chartered Institute of Physiotherapists seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted a letter from Peoples Air Ambulance seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to write to the group asking them to provide the Committee with a written brief providing details of their proposals

The Committee noted a letter from Mr Gary McCann and agreed to write to Mr McCann asking him to provide the Committee with a written brief providing details of his proposals.

The Committee noted a letter from Kemneeds, Wholesalers of Chemist Sundries seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to ask the Company to provide the Committee with a written brief regarding its concerns.

The Committee noted a letter from SAB Miller seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to ask the Company to provide the Committee with a written brief regarding its concerns.

The Committee noted a letter from Roche Products Limited seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to ask the Company to provide the Committee with a written brief regarding its concerns.

The Committee noted a letter from Construction Employers Federation seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to ask the organisation to provide the Committee with a written brief regarding its concerns.

The Committee noted a letter from Action on Hearing Loss seeking a meeting with the Committee and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.

The Committee noted an invitation to an event called “Improving Children’s Lives: Outcomes, Partnership & Planning”.

The Committee noted a letter from Jonathan Bell MLA forwarding a letter from a constituent seeking information regarding health matters being discussed by the Assembly and agreed a response to Mr Bell.

The Committee noted a letter from Unison regarding its concerns about Southern Cross Care Group and agreed to forward a response from the Minister on this issue to Unison.

The Committee noted a letter from Advice NI regarding the Contact Lens Solutions pilot and agreed to write to the Department seeking an update on this.

The Committee noted a letter from Autism NI regarding the termination of its current contract to provide family support services in the Western Trust.

The Committee noted a letter from Omagh District Council about an enhanced local hospital in Omagh.

The Committee noted a copy of a letter from PEAT to the Minister for Finance & Personnel regarding the funding of autism services.

The Committee noted a letter from Ms Sharon Ramsey and agreed to refer Ms Ramsey to her constituency MLAs.

The Committee noted a letter from Children’s Commissioner regarding the Participation Awards 2011.

The Committee noted a letter from the General Medical Council about its consultation on new draft guidance for doctors.

The Committee noted a letter from the Privacy Advisory Committee regarding the Review of the Code of Practice on Protecting the Confidentiality of Service User Information.

The Committee noted a letter from Disability Action in relation to its ‘Know the Right Approach’ Seminar.

12. Any Other Business

The Committee discussed the provision of community meals and agreed to write to the Department supporting this service.

13. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 14 th September 2011 at 2.00 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.32 p.m.