14th July 2005 - Board Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Thursday 14th July, 2005 at 2.00 p.m. in the Boardroom, National Blood Centre, Jamess Street, Dublin 8
Present: Ms. Maura McGrath (Chairperson)
Dr. Liz Keane
Ms. Valerie Mannix
Dr. Cees Van Der Poel
Ms. Jane OBrien
Mr. David Keenan
Mr. Sean Wyse
Apologies: Dr. Mary Cahill
Dr. Mary Horgan
Mr. Tony McNamara
Mr. David Lowe
In Attendance: Mr. Andrew Kelly (CE)
Dr. William Murphy (NMD)
Ms. Patricia McNally (Secretary)
1. Minutes of Meeting 08.06.2005
The minutes of the Board meeting held on Wednesday, 8th June 2005, were adopted on the proposal of Mr. D. Keenan, seconded by Mr. S. Wyse and signed by the Chairperson.
2. Matters Arising
The Chairperson reported that she and the Chief Executive had met with Transfusion Positive and Positive Action on Tuesday 28th June 2005 to discuss the IBTS issuing an apology to donors for the delay in the notification of test results. She confirmed that the two groups had submitted a draft apology which had been reviewed by the IBTS. It was agreed that the apology would be issued in the first week of August. It was also agreed that the IBTS would inform the DOH&C on the final wording of the apology.
The Chief Executive confirmed that he had met with the two companies who had tendered for the review of management functions and he had discussed the matter with the Chairperson. A final decision could be made on the awarding of the contract shortly.
The Governance Workshop was scheduled for 10th September 2005 in Cork with the venue to be confirmed. The Chairperson noted that she intended circulating a proposed Agenda prior to the workshop with items for discussion to include frequency of Board meetings, establishing Board subgroups and the appointment of a vice-Chairperson. She asked Board members to submit topics for the workshop. It was agreed that the workshop would be facilitated and the Chairperson will source a facilitator.
3. Correspondence
The Chairperson confirmed that correspondence would be dealt with at the end of the meeting.
4. Health & Safety
The Chief Executive noted that at the time the Board papers were circulated they did not have the information from the IBTS insurers regarding outstanding claims. He confirmed that the figures showed that there were 7 outstanding claims against the IBTS including accidents at work, motor accidents and HR related issues. There are no public liability claims outstanding. He confirmed that the IBTS will continue to do everything it can to ensure the safety, health and welfare of its employees. He also confirmed that the IBTS had established a Health & Safety Committee in the NBC, MRTC and Carlow with Committees to be established in Limerick, Tuam and Ardee in the near future. These committees are responsible for managing Health and Safety issues in their respective centre. However, he stressed that the primary responsibility for Health & Safety rests with line managers and Health & Safety is included in the Balanced Scorecard for the IBTS.
The Chief Executive proposed that there would be a presentation by the Environmental Health & Safety Manager to the Board in February 2006 who would update the Board further on Health & Safety in the IBTS. This was agreed.
5. Chief Executives Report
The report was noted.
The Chief Executive reported that donations had increased dramatically since the appeal in June with 3,686 units in the NBC and 1,827 units in the MRTC at 12.45 p.m. today.
The Statutory Instrument (SI) giving effect to the EU Directive had been signed by the Tanáiste on 12th July 2005. It was agreed that a copy of the Statutory Instrument (SI) transposing the Blood Directive into Irish Law would be circulated to each member of the Board.
6. Cork Centre
The Chief Executive confirmed that he had been in contact with the DOH&C regarding the Cork Centre but there was nothing new to report.
7. MAC Meeting 11th May 2005
The minutes of the MAC meeting were noted. The National Medical Director updated the Board on the recent case of a blood donor who developed symptoms considered to be due to vCJD.
Dr. Murphy stated that it had been agreed by the MAC that a letter should be sent to the Chief Medical Officer outlining the steps that needs to be taken in hospitals to address the risk posed by vCJD.
8. Minutes of Audit Committee Meeting 30th March 2005 and 19th May 2005
The minutes were noted.
Ms. Mannix noted that the Review of Internal Financial Controls had been accepted by Mr. M. Buckley, C&AG Office, who noted the report on Internal Financial Controls was better than most reports presented to the C&AG.
The Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2004 were accepted by the Board and signed by the Chairperson and Dr. van der Poel, Board member.
The Management Letter for the year ended 31st December 2004 was also accepted by the Board.
Ms. Mannix presented an Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2004 outlining the membership of the Committee, meetings, the internal audit function within the IBTS, the work of the Audit Committee, the Risk Register and the annual financial statements for the IBTS. A discussion took place regarding the Risk Register and the Chairperson agreed that Risk 12 To enable fullest consideration of Strategic and Financial implications during Board decision-making processes would form part of the Agenda for the Governance Meeting in Cork on Saturday 10th September 2005.
The next meeting of the Board will take place at 2pm in the NBC on Thursday September 15th 2005.
