10th October 2006 - Board Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Tuesday 10th October at 2.30pm in the Barry Room, Munster Regional Transfusion Centre, St Finbarr's Hospital,Cork
Present: Ms. Maura McGrath (Chairperson)
Mr. Sean Wyse
Dr. Cees van der Poel
Mr. David Lowe
Dr. Robert Landers
Dr. Margaret Murray
Dr. Mary Cahill
Mr. Gerry ODwyer
Ms. Margaret Mullett
Apologies: Mr. David Keenan
Ms. Jane OBrien
Mr. Mark Moran
Also in attendance: Mr. Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive
Dr. William Murphy, National Medical Director
Ms. Mirenda ODonovan, Secretary to the Board
1. Minutes of the Meeting of 12th September
The minutes of the Board meeting of 12th September were proposed by Dr. Mary Cahill and seconded by Mr. Sean Wyse and signed by the Chairperson
2. Matters Arising
The Chairperson welcomed the recently appointed members to the Board.
The Chief Executive confirmed that the report by Dr. Paul Strenger reviewing the NHO was due in the next few weeks.
The Chairperson confirmed that she had written to the Minister for Health and Children seeking a meeting to discuss the final report on an updated proposal for the development of new facilities in Cork.
The Board agreed that the Report would first be given to the Minister for Health and Children and that it was a matter for the Chief Executive when the report was made available to the senior management team.
3. Framework for Corporate & Financial Governance (DOH&C April 2006)
Structures Roles and Responsibilities
The Chief Executive informed the Board that the Department of Health and Children had received an update on progress in relation to this matter. A discussion took place on the framework and a number of issues were raised.
It was agreed that the Chief Executive would revert to the Department to seek clarification on a number of matters. It was also agreed that the CE would review existing reports making recommendations and bring back to the Board any issues that may be outstanding.
4. Information Technology and Facilities
The IT and Facilities Manager made a presentation to the Board on current and future projects. The Board thanked him for the broad ranging and informative presentation.
5. Chief Executives Report
The Chief Executives Report was noted.
The CE reported on two legal cases. The Board agreed to apply the company seal to a contract for factor concentrates.
The Chief Executive informed the Board that they are invited to attend the launch of the Vodafone Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report on Tuesday 17th October in the Royal Hibernian Academy.
Work on preparation for a flu pandemic is continuing and it was agreed that Mr. Paddy Bowler, Operations Director would make a presentation to the Board at the next meeting on the plan.
It was agreed that Ms. Margaret Mullett would join the Audit Committee and that Mr. Gerry ODwyer would join the Finance Committee.
6. CorkCentre
The Chair has written to the Minister seeking a meeting to discuss the Report and it was agreed that she would follow this up with a call to the Ministers office.
7. Medical Advisory Committee
Clarification was sought on the revised meeting times for the MAC and the Board. The Chairperson confirmed that it had been agreed at the September meeting that the Board would take place at 1.30 p.m. in November, subject to the MAC agreeing to meet at 11.30 a.m.
The Chairperson of the MAC briefed the Board on the file notes for the meetings held on 14th June and 11th July. These meetings were not in quorum but did proceed, therefore the record is being retained through file note.
Dr. ORiordan updated the MAC on a tonsillectomy study that had been carried out in the UK. The reverse lookback undertaken in the UK was discussed. It was agreed that a one page summary of lookback procedure would be brought to the MAC.
The MAC also agreed that the existing deferral policy of 6 months for the tropics was adequate.
The sub-group on a flu pandemic considered the possibility of a frozen blood bank, but have now moved away from that option and are considering other possibilities.
It was confirmed that the supply of Tamiflu ordered for IBTS staff has been delivered to a storage facility.
The incidence of repeat reactive tests among sample only donors was also discussed. In Holland, all first time donors are sample only.
It was confirmed that the joint NVRL/IBTS Consultant Microbiologist post will be advertised shortly.
11th July meeting File Note: The suspended prion filter trial was discussed. A second manufacturer has now produced a CE marked filter and concluded animal trials. However, this company has not yet conducted human volunteer trials and it could be 5 to 6 months before these filters have been put through human volunteer trials. This product is available in the market now, but as the scientific trials process has not concluded, if the IBTS were to use this product, it could be liable in the event of any adverse events.
The German authorities apply pharmaceutical licensing standards to all blood products and it was agreed to approach the Paul Erlich Institute to see what would be required to licence the product.
8. Finance Committee
The Chairperson of the Committee said that as demand from hospitals was below what was expected, income was below budget. It was noted that the rate of transfusion in Ireland was 33.7 per 1,000 of population and that this was lower than other EU countries. While this could be attributed to our younger population, it was also noted, that the demographic profile of the Irish population was going to change as the population ages.
The Finance Committee were considering changing the capital expenditure cycle and looking at different options, e.g. a 3 year cycle. The Committee has also agreed to invite senior managers who submit proposals to attend the committee so that they can see the budget process at first hand.
Additional time has been given to progress the activity based costing project.
In relation to the costings on the proposal for a new centre in Cork, it was agreed that the CE would seek clarification from the company who carried out the option appraisal as to the status of those costings.
9. Correspondence
Two items of correspondence were noted
10. Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next meeting was confirmed for 15th November 2006 at 1.30 p.m. The Chairperson confirmed that an art exhibition would be opened in the NBC that evening at 6.30pm by the Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney TD.
Signed: ___________________________ Date: _______________
