Committee for Health

Minutes of Proceedings -   21 March 2024

Committee for Health - Minutes of Proceedings 21 March 2024.pdf (155.95 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Liz Kimmins MLA (Chairperson)

Danny Donnelly MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Alan Chambers MLA

Linda Dillon MLA

Diane Dodds MLA

Órlaithí Flynn MLA

Nuala McAllister MLA

Alan Robinson MLA

Apologies:

Colin McGrath MLA

In Attendance:

Keith McBride, Clerk

Roisin Donnelly, Assistant Clerk

Jonathan Lamont, Assistant Clerk

Katie Egan, Clerical Supervisor

Noel Gallagher, Clerical Officer

The meeting commenced at 2.04pm in open session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are noted above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

There was no Chairperson’s Business.

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2024.

4. Matters Arising

The Committee noted the Westminster Tobacco and Vapes Bill that was laid on 20 March 2024.

5. Department of Health briefing on Waiting Lists

The following officials from the Department of Health joined the meeting at 2.06pm:

Tomas Adell, Director of Elective Care and Cancer Policy; and

Lisa McWilliams, Director of Performance Safety, Service Improvement.

Officials briefed the Committee on waiting lists.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

The officials agreed to provide further information on a number of issues.

The Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.

6. Department of Health briefing on Children’s Social Care Services.

The following officials from the Department of Health joined the meeting at 3.42pm:

Eilís McDaniel, Director of Family and Children’s Policy;

Máire Redmond, Head of Children’s Services Review Unit; and

Áine Morrison, Chief Social Work Officer.

Eilís McDaniel briefed the Committee on Children’s Social Care Services.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would like regular updates from the Department on progress against the recommendations of the Review. Members also agreed to schedule a briefing from Professor Ray Jones and stakeholders.

The briefing session was reported by Hansard.

7. Correspondence

  1. The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance on Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund.
  2. The Committee considered correspondence from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.
    Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the individual who raised the issue.
  3. The Committee considered correspondence from the Children’s Health Coalition Northern Ireland.
    Agreed: The Committee agreed to include Children’s Health Coalition Northern Ireland in a future briefing.
  4. The Committee considered correspondence from Autism NI requesting to brief the Committee.
    Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson would consider this request.
  5. The Committee considered correspondence from an individual regarding Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.
    Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the individual who raised the issue.
  6. The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding the funding of Macmillan Move More programme.
  7. The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding Priory Group and River House residential home.
  8. The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding fostering allowances.
  9. The Committee noted the reply from the Minister of Health regarding the Junior Doctors pay dispute.
  10. The Committee noted the reply from the Minister of Finance regarding the Junior Doctors pay dispute.
  11. The Committee considered the reply from The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority regarding the Deceased Patients Review.
    Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this response to the individuals who raised the issue.
    Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite representatives of families affected to an informal session.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee regarding evidence from British Dental Association NI on Mercury regulations.

8. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered a draft Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed its Forward Work Programme.

9. Any Other Business

There was no other business.

10. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee for Health was scheduled to take place at 2.00pm on 11 April 2024.

The meeting was adjourned at 5.01pm

Liz Kimmons MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Health

11 April 2024