Committee for Health
Minutes of proceedings 21 May 2026
Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Phillip McGuigan MLA (Chairperson)
Danny Donnelly MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Alan Chambers MLA
Linda Dillon MLA
Diane Dodds MLA
Nuala McAllister MLA
Colin McGrath MLA
Alan Robinson MLA
Apologies:
Órlaithí Flynn MLA
In Attendance:
Keith McBride (Clerk)
Michael Doran (Senior Assistant Clerk)
Shannen Lofthouse (Assistant Clerk)
Caroline Devlin (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.02 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 7 May 2026.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Chairperson’s Business
i. The Chairperson noted the Committee’s attendance at the Balmoral Show on 13 May 2026 and thanked the My Care and Farm Families teams for their engagement with the Committee.
ii. The Chairperson proposed scheduling a follow‑up meeting with the Spotlight families who participated in the ‘I Am Not Ok’ documentary.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a meeting with Spotlight families.
iii. The Chairperson welcomed the progress made towards commissioning a 24/7 Thrombectomy Clinic.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister ahead of next week’s oral briefing from the Department on Stroke Action Plan in relation to the Thrombectomy Clinic.
iv. The Chairperson noted concerns from consultants that EPIC is having an impact on their work, including diagnostics. The Committee noted this in advance of the Encompass briefing scheduled for 2 July.
5. SL1 - The Jam and Similar Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
The Committee considered a proposal by the Food Standards Agency to make a statutory rule to provide for updated compositional requirements for jelly and extra jelly.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposal for the statutory rule.
6. SL1 - The New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026
The Committee noted that the Department of Health is proposing to make a statutory rule that amend the existing New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (NI) 2007 to complete and improve the delivery of the “Matthews remedy” for retained (part‑time) firefighters.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the SL1 papers on the Assembly website and to issue a call for views on the proposal.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule consideration of the proposed SR at its meeting on 4 June.
Agreed: The Committee agreed it is not necessary at this stage to invite Departmental officials to brief the Committee on the proposal, but that this could be reconsidered if appropriate.
7. Oral Briefing from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service: An Overview
The following representatives from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service joined the meeting at 2.12 pm:
- Aidan Jennings, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer; and
- Ms Tabitha Ramsay, Director of People & Culture
The representatives provided the Committee with an overview of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
Alan Robinson MLA joined the meeting at 2.13 pm.
Alan Chambers MLA joined the meeting at 2.16 pm.
Alan Robinson MLA left the meeting at 3.50 pm.
A question and answer session followed.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Northern Ireland Fire Service to seek further information in relation to: the retention of female firefighters; the costs associated with fighting wildfires; the cost of fully rolling out Maggie’s Call; and the cost and impact on firefighters for dealing with bonfires.
8. Oral Briefing from Law Society Northern Ireland: Mental Capacity (Northern Ireland) Act 2016
The following representatives from Law Society Northern Ireland joined the meeting at 3.47 pm:
- Claire McNamee, Conveyancing and Non-Contentious Business Lead, Law Society NI;
- John O’Prey, Murlands Solicitors, Partner;
- Michael Graham, Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors, Partner; and
- Julie Ann Osborne, CMG Cunningham Dickey Solicitors, Partner.
The representatives briefed the Committee on the implementation of the Mental Capacity (Northern Ireland) Act 2016.
Diane Dodds MLA declared an interest that a family member works as a solicitor.
A question and answer session followed.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to both the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice to state its view that Section 1 of the Mental Capacity Act should be implemented as soon as possible, and to request a timeline for when implementation will take place.
Agreed: The Committee further agreed to write to the both Department’s to seek the estimated cost of implementing Section 1 and all Sections of the Mental Capacity and whether there has been an assessment of the costs associated with not implementing the Act.
Colin McGrath MLA left the meeting at 4.44pm.
9. Written Briefing from the Department of Health - Workforce Policy
The Committee considered a written briefing from the Department of Health regarding Workforce Policy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence received from Royal College of Nurses to the Department of Health to reflect concerns within the letter, including the need for a comprehensive population‑based workforce programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Health to request information on why fundamental workforce gaps remain, including in allied health professions, and to request clear evidence of progress against its three headline objectives and explanations where targets have not been met.
10. Written Briefing from the Department of Health- Workforce strategies within the Transformation Agenda
The Committee considered a written briefing from the Department of Health regarding workforce policy within the transformation agenda.
11. Correspondence
1. The Committee noted a response from the Department of Health regarding the Elective Care Framework: Governance and Delivery Outcomes.
2. The Committee considered a response from the Department of Health to an individual regarding the reporting of safeguarding allegations within HSC Trusts.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the individual for information.
3. The Committee considered a response from the Department of Health regarding timeframes for the Duty of Candour Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Health outlining the Committee’s concerns in relation to the late introduction of the Bill and seek further information on the reasons for the delay in introducing the Bill.
4. The Committee considered a response from the Department of Health to an individual regarding continuing healthcare.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the individual for information.
5. The Committee considered a response from the Department of Health regarding pressures facing independent health care providers. The Chairperson noted his disappointment with the response.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to Independent Health and Care Providers.
6. The Committee considered a response from the Department of Health following the British Polio Fellowship’s recent correspondence calling for action.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to British Polio Fellowship for information.
7. The Committee noted a response from the Department of Health to the Committee for Communities regarding Help with Health Costs.
8. The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health to the Committee for the Economy regarding Childcare Pre-Employment Checks.
9. The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health to the Committee for Education regarding the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework.
10. The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health to the Committee for the Executive Office regarding the New Foundation Pilot Scheme.
11. The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health to the Committee for the Executive Office regarding Access to Adoption Records.
12.The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health regarding Patient Education and Self-Management Programmes for Long Term Conditions.
13. The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health regarding a consultation on legislative changes for Gene Therapy Medicinal Products.
14. The Committee considered correspondence from the Department regarding the Atherton Report in relation to the Northern Ireland Cervical Screening Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Health to express its disappointment with the announcement and to request further information on the rationale for his decision. The Committee also agreed to express its disappointment that the announcement was not made in the Assembly and was announced via a Written Ministerial Statement. The Committee noted that the families of Erin Harbinson and Lynsey Courtney were upset that they were not acknowledged in the statement and shares their concern that no-one will be held to account. The Committee agreed to request that the Minister reconsider his decision not to initiate a public inquiry.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed to request a breakdown of the governance and accountability measures put in place by Trusts to prevent similar incidents in future, and to suggest that the Minister reconsider the issue.
15. The Committee noted correspondence from the Assembly and Executive Review Committee in relation to its review of Assembly Committee engagement on cross-cutting Executive Strategies.
16. The Committee noted correspondence from the Finance committee regarding Vote on Account Drawdown.
17. The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Executive Office with a copy of its letter to the Department of Health regarding the Regional Trauma Network.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Health to request that it be copied in to any response to the Committee for the Executive Office.
18. The Committee noted correspondence from the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care regarding the regulatory performance of the Health and Care Professions Council 2025/25.
19. The Committee considered correspondence from Northern Ireland Bereaved Families for Justice regarding Ursula’s Law.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department of Health for comment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed arrange an informal meeting with Northern Ireland Bereaved Families for Justice.
Agreed: The Committee agreed write to the Royal College of Nurses to seek views on how this issue has impacted staff.
20. The Committee considered correspondence from Caleb’s Cause regarding a request for an independent inquiry into Post 19 Transitions and access to Adult Learning Disability Services.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department for comment.
21. The Committee considered correspondence from the British Medical Association and Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland regarding its concerns and solutions for Clause 4 of the Adult Protection Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider further alongside legal advice on the Adult Protection Bill.
22. The Committee considered correspondence from National Allergy Strategy with an invitation to engage and attend an event on 1 June.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add National Allergy Strategy to a future Committee Clinic and that Members would RSVP individually to the event invitation.
23. The Committee considered correspondence from Ulster University regarding a KESS Seminar on Safe Staffing.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to RaISe for information.
24. The Committee considered correspondence from Save Our Acute Services regarding a follow-up with the Department.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department for comment.
25. The Committee noted correspondence from Hospice UK providing a response to the Department’s reply to the Palliative Care Inquiry.
26. The Committee considered correspondence from Neurology Justice Collective with a request to meet Committee for Health.
Agreed: The Committee agreed schedule an informal meeting with Neurology Justice Collective.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Health expressing its concerns in relation to the waiting times for neurology patients due to staffing issues, and how these are being addressed.
27. The Committee considered correspondence from Neurology Justice Collective with a request to meet the Minister of Health.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department for comment.
28. The Committee noted correspondence from the Alzheimer's Society regarding two newly released ‘Unlocking the Door’ reports on dementia diagnosis and access to dementia treatments and interventions.
29.The Committee noted a response from the Education Authority regarding Special School Summer Schemes. The Chairperson noted their disappointment with the response.
30. The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding grading structures within SPPG and wider HSC governance.
31. The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding urgent concerns on A&E conditions at Altnagelvin hospital.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department and the Western Trust for comment.
32.The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding legal compliance issues related to Northern Ireland Electronic Care record.
33. The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding questions to the Minister of Health on diabetes technology.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request an update on diabetes services, including the availability and use of continuous glucose‑monitoring technology, and the Department’s consideration of these services.
34. The Committee considered correspondence from an individual with a request for an update on tender for provision of wigs.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department for comment.
12. Any Other Business
There was no other business.
13. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting was scheduled to take place at 21 May at 2.00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to move to closed session to discuss the Forward Work Programme and upcoming legislation.
The Committee moved to closed session at 5.09 pm.
14. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered its Forward Work Programme and upcoming Legislation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed a draft Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek clarity on when the legislation will be brought forward, noting that timely introduction is essential to enable effective scrutiny of the Bills.
The meeting was adjourned at 5.21 pm.
Danny Donnelly MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Health
28 May 2026
