14th January 2004 - Board Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Serviceheld on Wednesday 14th January, 200 at 2.00pm Boardroom, National Blood Centre, Jamess Street, Dublin 8
Present: Ms Maura McGrath (Chairperson)
Dr Mary Horgan
Ms Valerie Mannix
Mr Tony McNamara
Dr Liz Keane
Dr Helen Enright
Dr Cees Van Der Poel
Mr David Lowe
Mr David Keenan
Dr Gerry Crotty
Apologies: Mr Sean Wyse
In Attendance: Mr Andrew Kelly (A/CE)
Dr William Murphy (NMD)
Mr. Michael Healy (SEO)
Ms M McGrath Chairperson informed the Board that Mr Sean Wyse has been appointed by the Minister for Health & Children to the Board of the IBTS for the period 7 January 2004 to 6 January 2007. Ms McGrath wished all board members a peaceful and joyful New Year.
1. Minutes of Meeting 10.12.2003
The minutes of the Board Meeting held on Wednesday December 12th 2003, were adopted on the proposal of Ms V. Mannix, seconded by Dr. L. Keane and signed by the Chairperson.
2.Matters arising
It was noted that the Board was anxious to participate in another workshop on Strategy. The time and place for such a workshop to be agreed.
3. Chief Executives Report
The report was noted.
The investment in the IBTS Pension fund in 2003 was discussed. It was understood that compliance with the Pensions Act and expected future requirements, necessitated ongoing investment in the Pension fund. It was agreed that the Pension fund would be reviewed in the near future.
4.Consequences for the IBTS arising from recent development on vCJD
The National Medical Director briefed the board on a paper he and the A\CEO had circulated to the board on issues surrounding vCJD. A discussion took place to ascertain what additional steps the IBTS could take to address the threat of contracting vCJD, bearing in mind the need for a safe sufficient blood supply. The NMD indicated that the most substantial risk in Ireland was from infected Irish meat which IBTS policy could do little about. It had been suggested that to reduce risk, unnecessary transfusions should be avoided and there should be greater efficiency in the use of blood. In this regard the NMD agreed that the NBSIG, which had been originally set up to examine this issue and other issues relating to the optimum use of blood, will be preparing its report shortly and further action will emanate from recommendations in this report.
It was felt important that the IBTS should be aware of what is happening in other countries regarding vCJD to help in its decision making and in this regard the NMD and Dr Van der Poel will be attending a conference in Luxembourg which might shed more light on the matter. It was noted that the MAC had discussed the issue earlier in the day and that the vCJD group will be monitoring the situation an on ongoing basis.
It was noted that the MAC had adopted the proposal in relation to the 100% importation of corneas until Ireland had the expertise to harvest the cornea without taking the whole globe. The proposal was approved by the Board and will be implemented as soon as possible
5 &7 Report to Board on IMB Inspection & Development of Cork Centre
The A/CEO briefed the board on his follow up report to the recent IMB inspection in the Cork Centre outlining the major deficiencies highlighted in the inspection.
Re-Routing Programme
Start up date of re-routing programme has not been agreed. The manner in which such a programme could be administered requires further examination.
Irradiation
Awaiting full report after which assessment can be made. It was agreed that an additional member of staff would attend the course in NUI Galway, to qualify as a Radiological Protection Officer.
Personnel
There have been five applications for the Laboratory Manager position and interviews will be held in the first week in February.
QA Manager position is being advertised at present.
Premises & Equipment
The board noted the letter from the Chairperson to the Minister for Health & Children 9/12/2003 and the letter of response from the Minster 9/1/2004. It was understood that the Capital Programme for the new Cork Centre would be prioritised by the Minister in 2004.
Advertisements for a design team for interim building works have been placed in the national papers with a closing date for submissions of January 19th 2004.
The A/CE has met officials from the SHB and it is expected that clearance for building work will be forthcoming, after which planning permission will be sought. It was understood that the IMB were dissatisfied with the premises at present but would welcome the interim solution and requested that they be involved at all stages of the development. The IMB will be communicating with the Minister on the matter. The issue of re-roofing is being further investigated at present. A contingency needs to be allowed for in the event that the IMB June deadline cannot be met.
In order to progress the issues relating to the Cork Centre including this project, the A/CE has proposed that he, the NMD and NQAM would meet on a regular basis with Dr J Power and the Cork Management Team.
It was agreed that a Project Manager be appointed to manage the interim development of the Centre as the project required intensive management and commitment from all concerned. It was agreed that a laboratory staff member could be released to help with the development and that validation expertise would be provided on an ongoing basis by outside contractors.
6.Donor Notification
A draft report has been received from the Dublin Centre and the sub committee requires clarification on a number of points. A report has been received from the Cork Centre in tabular form and the sub committee has requested that the report be adjusted to include narrative in a similar manner to the Dublin Report so as to allow for comparative analysis. The A/CEO will meet with the sub committee to discuss the remaining issues to be resolved.
8. Organisation Development Programme
Discussions are ongoing with the IBTS Medical Consultants. Discussions with Senior Management will take place in the near future. It is expected that proposals regarding management restructuring will come to board in March/April 2004.
9. Minutes of MAC Minutes 15.10.2003(previously deferred) & 12.11.2003
The Minutes of the MAC Meetings of 15.10.2003 and 12.11.2003 were noted. The board noted the recommendations of the MAC and vCJD group in regard to the ongoing policy regarding vCJD.
10. Minutes of Audit Committee 1.10.2003
Mr T McNamara briefed the board on the minutes of the Audit Committee 1.10.2003. Mr McNamara welcomed the approach of the Internal Auditor in identifying high level risk.
Minutes of Finance Committee 5.11.2003 (previously deferred)
The minutes of the Finance Committee meeting 5.11.2003 were noted.
11. Board nominees to sub Committees
The Chairperson noted that there was a need for new members to be allocated to the board sub committee in regard to the OD programme as herself and Mr Michael McLoone were no longer members of this Sub Committee.
The Chairperson proposed and Dr G Crotty seconded the nomination of Mr David Lowe to the Finance Committee. Ms V Mannix proposed and Dr M Horgan seconded the nomination of Mr David Keenan to the Audit Committee. Dr Mary Horgan proposed and Ms V Mannix seconded the nomination of Mr S Wyse to the Audit Committee. Mr T McNamara agreed to chair both the Finance and Audit Committees.
12.Other business
It was noted that the Department of Health & Children declined to sponsor the WHO conference in Bucharest which was taking place during the Irish EU Presidency. The Board agreed to provide sponsorship to an agreed level.
The board congratulated the Chairperson on her appointment to the Health Services Reform Steering Group and wished her well with this important work.
13. Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the IBTS Board will take place on Wednesday 12th February2003 at 2.00pm in the NBC.
Signed: . .. Date: .
