Committee for Health - Inquiry into COVID-19 and its impact on Care Homes

Extract of Minutes of Proceedings, Thursday 22 October 2020 - Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Social Worker

Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Mr Colm Gildernew (Chairperson)
Ms Pam Cameron MLA (Deputy Chairperson)*
Ms Paula Bradshaw MLA*
Mr Gerry Carroll MLA
Mr Alan Chambers MLA*
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Ms Órlaithí Flynn MLA*
Mr Colin McGrath MLA*
Mr Pat Sheehan MLA

In Attendance:

Ms Éilis Haughey (Clerk)
Ms Jean Barkley (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor)

*These Members attended the meeting via video-conference.

The meeting commenced at 9.33 am in public session.

 

7. Committee Inquiry: COVID-19 and its impact of Care Homes – Department of Health

The following officials from the Department of Health joined the meeting by video- conference at 11.58 pm:

Professor Charlotte McArdle, Chief Nursing Officer

Mr Sean Holland, Chief Social Worker

Mr Mark Lee, Director, Mental Health, Disability, Older People.

The Chairperson declared an interest as formerly being employed as a social worker and currently taking a career break and having a relative who is a nurse.

The Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Social Worker briefed the Committee on the Department's work to address the impact of COVID-19 on care homes.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Ms Paula Bradshaw declared an interest as having a relative who works in a care home.

Mr Pat Sheehan left the meeting at 1.02 pm.

The Deputy Chairperson re-joined the meeting at 1.02 pm.

The Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.

The briefing session was reported by Hansard.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Health to request further information on the rationale for the Department's discharge policy in April 2020.

[Extract]

 

View the full minutes of proceedings.

 

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