Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - Senedd. View directions

Contact: Llinos Madeley 

Items
Expected timing No. Item

Transcript

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

1.1 Apologies were received from Darren Millar.

 

(09:15 - 09:30)

2.

Follow-up on the general scrutiny session with the Chief Dental Officer (Dec 2013)

Minutes:

2.1 The Committee revisited the evidence heard from the Chief Dental Officer during the general scrutiny session held in the previous autumn term and agreed to scope an inquiry into orthodontic services in Wales.

 

(09:30 - 10:10)

3.

Inquiry into the work of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales - consideration of key issues

Minutes:

3.1 The Committee discussed and agreed the key issues that have arisen during the Committee’s scrutiny of the work of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW).

 

(10:10 - 10:50)

4.

Initial discussion of the Committee's strategic plan for the remainder of the Fourth Assembly

Minutes:

4.1 The Committee held an initial discussion on its strategic plan for the remainder of the Fourth Assembly.

 

4.2 The Committee agreed to scope inquires into the following areas for further consideration:

 

·         Orthodontic services

·         Cancer Care Delivery Plan

·         Prison healthcare

·         Paying for Care

·         Post Legislative Scrutiny of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure

·         Liver Disease Delivery Plan

·         Cardiac Care

·         Crohn’s disease/ colitis

 

4.3 The Committee committed to returning to previous inquiries to underake follow-up scrutiny work, prioritising the following subjects in the first instance:

 

·         Unscheduled Care: preparedness for winter 2013/14

·         Community Pharmacy

·         Stillbirth

·         Wheelchair Services

 

4.4 The Committee agreed to continue undertaking general scrutiny sessions with the Minister for Health and Social Services and Deputy Minister for Social Services, the Chief Health Professional Officers, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, and CSSIW.

 

4.5 The Committee also agreed to retain flexibility within the forward work programme to allow for consideration of legislation and any urgent or important issue that may arise during the remainder of the Fourth Assembly.

 

 

(11:00 - 12:00)

5.

Inquiry into access to medical technologies in Wales - introductory briefing from the expert adviser

Dr Alex Faulkner, expert adviser for the inquiry

Minutes:

5.1 The Committee received an introductory briefing from Dr Alex Faulkner, who has been appointed expert adviser to the Committee for the purposes of the inquiry into access into medical technologies in Wales.

 

(13:00 - 13:30)

6.

Legislative Consent Memorandum: Children and Families Bill - General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services

Mark Drakeford AM, Minister for Health and Social Services

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

6.1 The Minister for Health and Social Services and Dr Ruth Hussey, the Chief Medical Officer, responded to questions from committee members.

 

6.2 The Chief Medical Officer agreed that she would seek to review the evidence relating to the impact plain packaging could have on the selection of low tar cigarettes by smokers and respond to this question in time for the Plenary debate on the relevant legislative consent motion, due to be held on 21 January.

 

6.3. The Committee requested that the letter the Minister had written to the UK Government Minister for Public Health on the matter of the regulation of retail packaging for tobacco products letter be shared ahead of the Plenary debate next week if not already available in the public domain. The Minister commented that there may be restrictions relating to inter-Ministerial communications but that he would consider what could be done.

 

7.

Papers to note

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7.1 The Committee noted the minutes of the meetings held on 5 and 11 December 2013.

 

7a

Letter from the Chair of CELG Committee directed to the Minister for Local Government and Government Business relating to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7a.1 The Committee noted the letter.

 

7b

Letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee in relation to a petition regarding the cancellation of orthopaedic surgery during the winter months in Hywel Dda Local Health Board

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7b.1 The Committee noted the letter.

 

7c

Letter from the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the review of Continuing NHS Healthcare (CHC) Framework

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7c.1 The Committee noted the letter.

 

7d

Letter from the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee regarding maternity services in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7d.1 The Committee noted the letter.