13th March 2002 - Board Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Wednesday 13th March 2002
Boardroom, National Blood Centre, Jamess Street, Dublin 8.
Present:
Mr. Michael McLoone (Chairman)
Ms. Valerie Mannix
Mr. Tony McNamara
Dr. Ann OConnor
Dr. Liz Keane
Dr. Gerry Crotty
Dr. Helen Enright
Ms. Maura McGrath
Mr. Pat Farrell
Dr. Mary Horgan
Dr. Karen Murphy
In Attendance:
Mr. Martin Hynes (CEO)
Dr. William Murphy (NMD)
Mr. Michael Healy (SEO)
1. Minutes of Meeting 13th February 2002
The Minutes of the Board Meeting held on Wednesday 13th February 2002, were proposed by Dr. M. Horgan, seconded by Ms. V. Mannix and signed by the Chairman, subject to agreed amendments.
2. Matters Arising
Testing Munster Centre
It was noted that Professor Tom Zuck has been nominated to the expert group. Due to work commitments, Professor Zuck will be unable to visit Ireland until May 20th 2002. The CEO informed the Board that Professor Cash has requested comprehensive background information on the testing issue. It was agreed that the CEO and NMD will construct a response to Professor Cash. Both Prof. Cash and Prof. Soderstrom will be visiting Ireland in mid April.
3. Organisational Development Programme
Presentation by HRS consultants
The HRS consultant reported to the Board on the progress of the programme. He outlined the key findings from Phase I of the programme which had been completed in February 2002 and also summarised the progress of Phase II.
Report from Steering Committee
The Chairman briefed the Board on the recent meeting of the Steering Committee and Senior Managers. The Chairman presented an agreed statement on the agenda for addressing organisational issues that had been drafted by this group. The Board reviewed the statement which contained three sections:
- to establish more effective working relationships
- to address major and operational obstacles to change
- to constitute a change management process to devise and implement a programme of change and organisation development.
It was agreed that the Steering Group will discontinue in existence and will be replaced by two groups:
A. a management process that will lead to the programme of organisational change and development
B. a sub-committee of the Board consisting of 2/3 members who will perform the functions set out in the statement
The Chairman, Ms M McGrath and Dr K Murphy agreed to serve on the board subcommittee to:
- monitor the implementation of the agenda set out in the statement of the Change Management Group
- liaise with the Change Management Group about issues that might impede the progress of this process
- consider new forms of organisation and management structures before they are presented to the Board for adoption.
It was noted that those members of the management team directly involved with the organisational change and development group are key actors with regard to establishing more effective working relationships and addressing operational obstacles to change.
It was agreed that a parallel process of reviewing HR practices in the IBTS should be undertaken. The Board agreed that the review would be managed by a team consisting of Mr. M. Hynes, Mr. A. Kelly and Ms. M. Nalty with consulting support from HRS Consulting. The overall HR review process is to be completed by end of May 2002.
It was agreed that staff and their representative organisations should be informed before the proposed Programme of Change and Organisational Development is initiated.
Monthly reports on progress will be presented to the board.
4. Donation Procurement Strategy
The adoption of the strategy was proposed by Dr. OConnor, seconded by V. Mannix and agreed by the Board.
5. IBTS Communications Strategy 2002
The adoption of the communications strategy was proposed by Mr. P. Farrell, seconded by Dr. L. Keane and agreed.
6. Critical Control Points Quality Assurance
This report was noted.
7. High Court Action
The CEO briefed the Board on a forthcoming High Court action. He outlined the very serious efforts to bring about a settlement. He explained the desire to minimise the trauma of a court action for the plaintiff and the efforts being made to agree facts and possible settlement terms.
8. CEOs report
This was noted.
The Board confirmed its acceptance of the nomination of Dr. Cees Van der Poel to the MAC subject to confirmation of the financial arrangements.
9. Approval to lease on Tuam Centre
Mr. T. McNamara proposed the approval of the lease on the Tuam Centre. Dr. M. Horgan seconded the proposal which was agreed.
10. Implementation of Progesa (computer system)
The CEO briefed the Board on the background and current IR situation with regard to the implementation of the Progesa system. He noted that the IBTS had been assisted by IBEC in attempting to resolve outstanding issues within the IR process. The IBTS has sought an early meeting with the unions to outline the options that it faces with regard to the Progesa system. The CEO agreed to brief the Board at the next meeting on the capital and ongoing costs of the Progesa system.
11. Proposal to extend overdraft to 31.12.02
The extension of the overdraft at 4,762,000 to 31.12.02 was proposed by Ms. M. McGrath, seconded by Ms. V. Mannix and agreed by the Board. The current approval expires on 31st March 2002.
12. Minutes of Finance Committee 30.01.02
These were noted. Mr. T. McNamara noted that there had been a substantial improvement in the Financial Controls within the IBTS. He also noted that the audit committee will be examined as part of the HRS Consulting review. It was agreed that a report on pensions would be presented to the Board at a future meeting.
13. Minutes of MAC 13.01.02
Dr. M. Horgan gave a brief summary of the minutes of the MAC 13.01.02.
PCR HIV Test
The NMD and CEO will be meeting with the SNBTS to discuss the possibility of the SNBTS continuing HIV PCR testing for the IBTS on a monthly basis until such time as the IBTS has set up PCR testing at the NBC. The CEO noted that there will be a meeting later in the month with regard to installing PCR testing at the NBC.
Clinical Scientist
It was noted that the post of Clinical Scientist has not yet been filled. It was agreed that the IBTS might look at the post with a view to encouraging greater interest in the position.
The CEO noted that the matter of employing a Consultant Virologist is progressing.
14. Date of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting of the IBTS Board will take place in Kilkenny on Wednesday April 10th at 10.00 a.m. The venue is to be confirmed.
