Committee for Health
Minutes of Proceedings - Tuesday 15 March 2022
Committee for Health - Minutes of Proceedings - Tuesday 15 March 2022.pdf (147.96 kb)
Committee for Health
Minutes of Proceedings
Tuesday, 15 March 2022
Meeting Location: Virtual meeting
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Colm Gildernew MLA (Chairperson)
Pam Cameron MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Paula Bradshaw MLA
Gerry Carroll MLA
Órlaithí Flynn MLA
Colin McGrath MLA
Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Apologies:
Deborah Erskine MLA
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Keith McBride (Clerk)
Roisin Donnelly (Assistant Clerk)
Deirdre Farry (Assistant Clerk)
Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor)
Brendan Miskelly (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 12.35 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
The Clerk advised that that under Standing Order 115 (6), Deborah Erskine had delegated authority to Pam Cameron to vote on her behalf at the meeting.
2. Dental Services – Briefing from the Chief Dental Officer
The following officials joined the meeting by video-conference at 12.36 pm:
- Caroline Lappin; Chief Dental Officer
- Michael Donaldson, Heald of Dental Services, Health and Social Care Board; and
- Michael O’Neill, Head of General Dental and Ophthalmic Services, Department of Health.
The officials briefed the Committee on access to dental services.
A question and answer session followed.
Gerry Carroll declared an interest as having relative who is a dentist.
Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 1.20 pm.
Gerry Carroll left the meeting at 1.23 pm.
Colin McGrath left the meeting at 1.23 pm.
The officials agreed to provide further information on a number of issues raised.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.
3. General Practice Services – Briefing from the Health and Social Care Board
The following officials joined the meeting by video-conference at 1.26 pm:
- Louise McMahon, Director of Integrated Care, Health and Social Care Board;
- Dr Margaret O’Brien, Head of General Medical Services; Health and Social Care Board and
- Gearoid Cassidy, Director of Primary Care, Department of Health.
The officials briefed the Committee on access to general practice services.
A question and answer session followed.
The officials agreed to provide further information on a number of issues raised.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.
4. Draft SR The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Powers to Act for the Protection of Public Health) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
The following Department of Health officials joined the meeting by video-conference at 1.46 pm:
- Niall Donnelly, Health Protection Branch; and
- David Hughes, Health Protection Branch.
The officials briefed the Committee on a statutory rule to extend the expiry date of section 48 of, and Schedule 18 to, the Coronavirus Act 2020 to 24 September 2022.
A question and answer session followed.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.
The briefing session was reported by Hansard.
Pam Cameron advised that she would not take part in the formal decision on the Draft SR the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Powers to Act for the Protection of Public Health) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022.
Agreed: The Committee considered Draft SR the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Powers to Act for the Protection of Public Health) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 and recommended that it be approved by the Assembly.
5. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Health was scheduled to take place at 12.30 pm on Tuesday, 22 March 2022.
The Chairperson advised Members that correspondence had been received from the Minister of Health in relation to amendments to the Hospital Parking Charges Bill.
The Chairperson reminded Members of its sponsored event taking place in the Long Gallery on 16 March to promote the Seen to be Heard exhibition in relation to secondary breast cancer.
The meeting was adjourned at 1.55 pm.
Colm Gildernew MLA,
Chairperson, Committee for Health
