Committee for Health Minutes of Proceedings

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Northern Ireland Assembly COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS Wednesday, 20 May 2020 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 Ms Órlaithí Flynn MLA* Mr Alex Easton MLA Mr Colin McGrath MLA Mr Pat Sheehan MLA In Attendance: Ms Éilis Haughey (Clerk) Mr Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor) *Ms Flynn attended the meeting via telephone conferencing. The meeting commenced at 11.33 am in public session. 1. Apologies None. 2. COVID-19 Disease Response – Briefing from the Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann MLA and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, joined the meeting at 11.34 am. The Minister provided an update on his Department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session. Mr Alex Easton declared an interest as having a relative who works as a nurse who has contracted coronavirus. Mr Colin McGrath left the meeting at 1.00 pm. 1 The Minister and Chief Medical Officer agreed to provide the Committee with further information on a number of issues raised during the question and answer session. The briefing session was reported by Hansard. The Committee noted the following correspondence relevant to the briefing session: A copy of correspondence from the Department of Finance to the Committee for Finance regarding funding allocated to support the care home sector. Correspondence from the Business Services Organisation providing a response to issues raised during the briefing session with the Committee on 30 April 2020. 3. Any Other Business The Chairperson thanked the Committee Clerk and her staff for their efforts in supporting the work of the Committee at this time. 4. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting The next committee meeting was scheduled to take place on Thursday, 21 May 2020, at 10.30 am in the Senate, Parliament Buildings. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.18 pm. Signed: ______________________________ Chairperson Date: ________________________________ 2 .

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Keith Mcbride, Clerk to Committee for Health
Committee for Health Room 410 Parliament Buildings Ballymiscaw Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX Tel: +44 (0)28 9052 1634 Northern Ireland Assembly To: Christine Darrah, Clerk to Committee for Justice From: Keith McBride, Clerk to Committee for Health Date: 29 April 2021 Subject: Damages (Return on Investments) Bill – Departmental response Christine At its meeting today the Committee for Health considered the reply from the Department of Health to the Damages (Return on Investments) Bill. The Committee acknowledged and noted its content and agreed to inform the Committee for Justice of its acknowledgement. For completeness please find enclosed a copy of the reply from the Department of Health. Keith McBride Clerk, Committee for Health Enc. Wendy Patterson DALO Department of Health Castle Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3SQ Our Ref.: C95/21 16 April 2021 Dear Wendy, Re: Committee for Justice Damages (Return on Investment) Bill At the meeting on 15 April 2021 the Committee for Health considered correspondence received from the Committee for Justice regarding the Damages (Return on Investment) Bill. The Bill passed Second Stage on 9 March 2021 and the Committee Stage commenced on 10 March 2021. The Committee is aware that the Department of Health has also been invited to submit written evidence on the Bill. Members agreed to write to the Department to get its views on the Bill and its impact in relation to the Department of Health. The Committee also requested to be copied into any response the Department provides to the Committee for Justice. Please forward this submission by 07 May 2021. Yours sincerely, Keith McBride Clerk Committee for Health Committee for Health Room 410, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX Telephone: (028) 9052 1634 E-mail: [email protected] follow us on Twitter: @NIAHealth .
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Ongoing Reforms and Policy Developments
Published on Eurydice (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice) Overall national education strategy and key objectives Northern Ireland Assembly 2017-2022 mandate An early election of the Northern Ireland Assembly was held on 2 March 2017. This followed the resignation, on 9 January 2017, of the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the subsequent collapse of the power-sharing Executive. Following the election, the Northern Ireland parties were unable to reach agreement on the formation of a new Executive. There followed a period of three years in which there were no executive ministers and the Northern Ireland Assembly did not sit. In early 2020, following an extended period of political talks, an Executive was formed and ministers were appointed; DUP leader Arlene Foster was appointed Northern Ireland's first minister, while Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill was appointed deputy first minister. The Northern Ireland Assembly reconvened on 11 January 2020. The return to devolved government in Northern Ireland was on the basis of a deal set out in New Decade, New Approach [1], a document published by the UK Government and the Irish Government, and endorsed by all five main political parties in Northern Ireland. New Decade, New Approach sets out the immediate priorities for the restored Northern Ireland Executive, including the following commitments on education: The Executive will resolve the teachers’ industrial dispute and address resourcing pressures in schools, to ensure that every school has a sustainable core budget to deliver quality education. The Executive will establish an external, independent review of education provision, with a focus on securing greater efficiency in delivery costs, raising standards, access to the curriculum for all pupils, and the prospects of moving towards a single education system.
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Committee for Health Meeting Minutes of Proceedings 22 October 2020
Northern Ireland Assembly COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS Thursday, 22 October 2020 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. 1. Apologies None. 2. Chairperson’s Business i. The Chairperson advised that Mr Alex Easton would be leaving the Committee and he thanked Mr Easton for his contribution to the work of the Health Committee. ii. The Chairperson advised that the Deputy Chairperson was self-isolating after receiving an exposure notification from the StopCOVID NI proximity app and encouraged members of the public to download and use the app. 3. Draft Minutes The Committee agreed the minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 15 October 2020. 1 4. Matters Arising i. The Chairperson reminded Members that at the previous week’s meeting the Committee had agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for Finance, to the Department of Health, seeking details on bids submitted to the Department of Finance; and requested Members’ agreement that relevant documents be shared with the Finance Committee to assist with their work on the Review of Financial Processes. Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward financial returns from the Department of Health to the Committee for Finance.
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Ongoing Reforms and Policy Developments
Published on Eurydice (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice) Overall national education strategy and key objectives Northern Ireland Assembly 2017-2022 mandate An early election of the Northern Ireland Assembly was held on 2 March 2017. This followed the resignation, on 9 January 2017, of the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the subsequent collapse of the power-sharing Executive. Following the election, the Northern Ireland parties were unable to reach agreement on the formation of a new Executive. There followed a period of three years in which there were no executive ministers and the Northern Ireland Assembly did not sit. In early 2020, following an extended period of political talks, an Executive was formed and ministers were appointed; DUP leader Arlene Foster was appointed Northern Ireland's first minister, while Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill was appointed deputy first minister. The Northern Ireland Assembly reconvened on 11 January 2020. The return to devolved government in Northern Ireland was on the basis of a deal set out in New Decade, New Approach [1], a document published by the UK Government and the Irish Government, and endorsed by all five main political parties in Northern Ireland. New Decade, New Approach sets out the immediate priorities for the restored Northern Ireland Executive, including the following commitments on education: The Executive will resolve the teachers’ industrial dispute and address resourcing pressures in schools, to ensure that every school has a sustainable core budget to deliver quality education. The Executive will establish an external, independent review of education provision, with a focus on securing greater efficiency in delivery costs, raising standards, access to the curriculum for all pupils, and the prospects of moving towards a single education system.
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Committees of the Northern Ireland Assembly, 2016
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Committee for Infrastructure Minutes of Proceedings
COMMITTEE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS WEDNESDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2020 SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS Present: Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA (Chairperson) Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy-Chairperson) Ms Martina Anderson MLA Mr Roy Beggs MLA Mr Cathal Boylan MLA Mr Keith Buchanan MLA Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA (via Starleaf) Ms Liz Kimmins MLA (via Starleaf) Mr Andrew Muir MLA (via Starleaf) Apologies: None In Attendance: Mrs Alison Ross (Assembly Clerk) Mr Vincent Gribbin (Assistant Assembly Clerk) Mr Johnny Lawless (Clerical Supervisor) Mr William Kinnear (Clerical Officer) The meeting commenced in open session at 10:06 am. 1. Apologies As above. 2. Chairpersons Business Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding Common Frameworks, specifically requesting the following information: That the Department confirm which frameworks fall within the Department’s remit – either where the Department leads, or where it is a cross-cutting policy; That the Department confirm which of the frameworks identified are legislative or non- legislative and for each Framework can it provide a list of any legislation (either primary or secondary) required for its implementation; That the Department identify the extent to which the provisions of these frameworks are subject to the outcome of the negotiations of the UKs future relationship with the European Union; For each Framework that the Department provide a timeline for provision of the summary document, provisional framework and expected implementation date; For each framework that the Department set out the nature of the it’s engagement with sector stakeholders and experts, including other devolved legislatures; For each framework that the Department provide details on what the current arrangements under EU law in this policy area are; Detail on the purpose of each framework, what it does, why it is needed and whether it replicates, in part or in full, EU law/policy; and What form each Framework will take (e.g.
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A Card Before You Leave: Participation and Mental Health in Northern Ireland
health and human rights in practice Frank V. McMillan, MA, is a card before you leave: participation Local Development Worker and mental health in northern and Researcher at the ireland Participation and the Practice of Rights Project. Frank V. McMillan, Nicola Browne, Stephanie Green, and Dessie Donnelly Nicola Browne, LLB, LLM, is Research and Policy Officer at the Participation and the abstract Practice of Rights Project. Due to a recent and dramatic rise in suicide and self-harm rates, mental health services have received a high level of attention in the politics of Northern Ireland, result- Stephanie Green, LLB, is ing in the implementation of numerous policies and the publication of many public Local Development Worker reviews on the subject. Critically, these policies have also emphasized and required the at the Participation and the participation of mental health service users in decision making about service design, Practice of Rights Project. implementation, and monitoring. This paper analyzes the experience of a group of mental health service users in north and west Belfast, the Public Initiative for the Dessie Donnelly, MA, is Prevention of Suicide–Greater Shankill Bereaved Families Rights Group supported Local Development Worker by the Participation and the Practice of Rights Project, as they campaigned for policy at the Participation and the change using a human rights-based approach. It considers, first, the group’s use of a Practice of Rights Project. participatory, “bottom-up” approach to set human rights indicators and benchmarks defined by group members themselves as an example of meaningful participation from Please address correspon- an affected group.
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COMMITTEE for HEALTH MINUTES of PROCEEDINGS Thursday, 13 February 2020 Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings Present: Mr Colm
Northern Ireland Assembly COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS Thursday, 13 February 2020 Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings Present: Mr Colm Gildernew MLA (Chairperson) Ms Pam Cameron MLA (Deputy Chairperson) Ms Sinéad Bradley MLA Ms Paula Bradshaw MLA Mr Gerry Carroll MLA Mr Alan Chambers MLA Ms Jemma Dolan MLA Mr Alex Easton MLA Ms Órlaithí Flynn MLA Apologies: None. In Attendance: Ms Éilis Haughey (Clerk) Ms Deirdre Farry (Assistant Assembly Clerk) Ms Roisin Donnelly (Assistant Assembly Clerk) Mr Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor) Mr Brendan Miskelly (Clerical Officer) The meeting commenced at 10.33 am in closed session. 1. Briefing from Assembly Research and Information Services – Department of Health Budget An Assembly Research Officer briefed the Committee on the Executive In-Year Monitoring process and Assembly budget scrutiny. The meeting moved into public session at 10.58 am. The Chairperson welcomed Mr Alan Chambers to his first meeting of the Committee for Health and wished Mr John Stewart well in his role as Assembly Private Secretary to the Minister for Health. 2. Apologies None. 1 3. Chairperson’s Business i. The Chairperson advised Members that he had accepted the Minister for Health’s invitation to participate in the reconstituted Strategic Health Partnership Forum. ii. The Chairperson advised Members that he had held an introductory meeting with the British Medical Association. 4. Draft Minutes The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2020. 5. Matters Arising There were no matters arising. 6. Update from the Chief Medical Officer on Coronavirus The following officials joined the meeting at 11.01 am: Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection, Public Health Agency Dr Miriam McCarthy, Director of Commissioning, Health and Social Care Board The Chief Medical Officer briefed the Committee on the Department of Health’s response to the Coronavirus (Covid 19).
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Committee for the Executive Office
Committee for the Executive Office William Wragg Chair Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee House of Commons London SW1A 0AA [email protected] 14 January 2021 Dear William CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COMMITTEE FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE At its meeting on 13 January 2021, the Committee for the Executive Office agreed to forward a copy of the attached correspondence from the First Minister and deputy First Minister to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee for information. Yours sincerely Colin McGrath MLA Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office Committee for the Executive Office Room 375a, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX Telephone: (028) 9052 1019 E-mail: [email protected] Stormont Castle BELFAST BT4 3TT Tel: 028 9037 8228 Email: [email protected] Colin McGrath MLA Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office, Room 375a, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont, Our Ref: CORR: 2423:2020 Belfast, 13 January 2021 BT4 3XX Dear Colin Committee Scrutiny of Common Frameworks Thank you for your letter of 16 December highlighting the concerns of the Committee for the Executive Office in relation to the scrutiny of Common Frameworks by the Assembly. Cross-Administration guidance on the process for submitting Common Frameworks for scrutiny by legislatures was developed in October in conjunction with the Common Frameworks Project Board. Further Assembly specific guidance was developed by TEO officials and issued through the NICS Common Frameworks Forum on 4 November for distribution to individual Departmental policy leads. A copy of this guidance is attached at Annex A. It is apparent from the issues highlighted in your correspondence, that there remains some confusion over the process to be followed.
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The 2020 Annual Statement Human Rights in Northern Ireland
The 2020 Annual Statement Human Rights in Northern Ireland December 2020 Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2020 The 2020 Annual Statement 2020 The The 2020 Annual Statement Human Rights in Northern Ireland 0 2 0 1 2 241862_NIHRC Annual Statement 2020__Book__6.indb 1 03/12/2020 11:53 Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2020 About us The NI Human Rights Commission (the Commission) protects and promotes the human rights of everyone in NI. We do this by: • keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness in NI of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights; • advising the Secretary of State for NI and the Executive Committee The 2020 Annual Statement 2020 The of the NI Assembly of legislative and other measures which ought to be taken to protect human rights; • advising the NI Assembly whether proposed legislation is compatible with human rights standards; • promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in NI, for example, by undertaking or commissioning or otherwise assisting research and educational activities. In addition, the Commission has powers to: • give assistance to individuals who apply to it for help in relation to proceedings involving law or practice concerning the protection of human rights; • bring proceedings involving law or practice concerning the protection of human rights; • intervene in, legal proceedings concerning human rights where it need not be a victim or potential victim of the unlawful act to which the proceedings relate; • conduct investigations; • require a person to provide information and documents in their possession, and to give oral evidence, in respect of an investigation; • enter a speciﬁed place of detention in NI, in respect of an investigation, and; • publish its advice and the outcome of its research and investigations.
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OFFICIAL REPORT (Hansard)
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The Impact of Political Devolution on the Uk's Health Services
THE IMPACT OF POLITICAL DEVOLUTION ON THE UK'S HEALTH SERVICES FINAL REPORT OF A PROJECT TO MONITOR THE IMPACT OF DEVOLUTION ON THE UNITED KINGDOM'S HEALTH SERVICES 1999 - 2002 Paul Jervis and William Plowden Foreword by John Wyn Owen CB ISBN 1-902089-92-8 © The Nuffield Trust, 2003 Published by The Nuffield Trust 59 New Cavendish Street London WIG 7LP Telephone: 020 7631 8450 Facsimile: 020 7631 8451 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk Charity Number: 209201 Designed by Nicholas Moll Design Telephone: 020 8879 4080 Printed by The Ludo Press Ltd Telephone: 020 8879 1881 FOREWORD DEVOLUTION: 2003 This project has been has been studying the changes, since devolution, in the ways in which health services are governed and managed, and in which they are accountable to legislatures and citizens, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has documented the ways in which the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly have addressed their health agendas, the issues that they have concentrated on, how they have worked, and the strategic direction given by respective Health Ministers, as well as the different administrative efforts used to deliver joined-up government. On Tuesday 4th March the Financial Times carried a headline "England and Scotland are taking different approaches to change. Old-style health service aims to outdo the internal market" and Jennifer Dixon, Head of Health Policy at the King's Fund think-tank wrote "We have a huge natural laboratory in the United Kingdom for studying the outcome of different approaches to reform but no-one seems to be using it".
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