New council health sub-committee formed

The first meeting of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s new Health Sub-Committee took place at Lagan Valley Island.
Pictured at the first meeting of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's new Health Sub-Committee meeting are (back row l-r); Councillor Andrew Girvin,  Dr. Theresa Donaldson, Chief Executive; Councillor Patrick Catney and Alderman Stephen Martin.  (Front row l-r); Councillor Amanda Grehan, Vice-Chair; The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett;  Alderman James Tinsley, Chair;  Councillor Margaret Tolerton and Councillor Johnny McCarthy.Pictured at the first meeting of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's new Health Sub-Committee meeting are (back row l-r); Councillor Andrew Girvin,  Dr. Theresa Donaldson, Chief Executive; Councillor Patrick Catney and Alderman Stephen Martin.  (Front row l-r); Councillor Amanda Grehan, Vice-Chair; The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett;  Alderman James Tinsley, Chair;  Councillor Margaret Tolerton and Councillor Johnny McCarthy.
Pictured at the first meeting of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's new Health Sub-Committee meeting are (back row l-r); Councillor Andrew Girvin, Dr. Theresa Donaldson, Chief Executive; Councillor Patrick Catney and Alderman Stephen Martin. (Front row l-r); Councillor Amanda Grehan, Vice-Chair; The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett; Alderman James Tinsley, Chair; Councillor Margaret Tolerton and Councillor Johnny McCarthy.

For 2015/2016, Alderman James Tinsley will chair the Health Sub-Committee and the Vice-Chair is Councillor Amanda Grehan. The new Health Committee is representative of all political parties on the Council.

Alderman Tinsley said: “With the new council now in place part of its remit is to be involved and to look to influence issues pertinent to the Lisburn and Castlereagh area. Health Care of course is an issue which is so very important to people.

“The Council’s new community planning function will also allow us to look at wider-facing issues across our boundary and the Health Committee will very much complement this work. One example of this work is our re-engagement with health organisations to look at health care issues on the ground and to learn more about how the Council can play its part.”

The Health Sub-Committee will liaise with relevant statutory agencies on health matters across the new Council area and respond to relevant consultations.

It will be the first point of contact for any urgent health matters that may arise and will meet on a quarterly basis or as required.

Councillor Amanda Grehan said: “This was a successful first meeting and we will be very interested in future developments for the local hospitals in our area, namely the Lagan Valley Hospital and the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald.

“I also raised the issue of legal highs which cause so much devastation to families and this is a matter that not only concerns the PCSP but this Committee and which is an example of joined-up work and community-facing issues. I am pleased that such issues can have a platform for discussion and for the council to be proactive where this is possible,” she said. The next meeting of the Health Committee will be in June. The Members of the Health Committee are Alderman James Tinsley, Chair, Councillor Amanda Grehan, Vice-Chair, Councillor Thomas Beckett, Councillor Margaret Tolerton, Alderman Michael Henderson, Alderman Stephen Martin, Councillor Patrick Catney, Councillor Andrew Girvin and Councillor Johnny McCarthy.