27th July 2007 - Board Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Friday 27th July 2007 at 1.00 pm in the Boardroom, National Blood Centre, James's Street,  Dublin 8

Present:                                 Dr Mary Cahill

Ms. Margaret Mullett

Dr Robert Landers

Mr David Lowe

Mr Gerry ODwyer

Mr David Keenan

                                                Ms Jane OBrien

Apologies:                              MsMaura McGrath(Chairperson)

Dr Margaret Murray

Mr. Sean Wyse

                                                Dr Cees Van Der Poel

MrMark Moran

Also in attendance:               Mr. Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive

Dr William Murphy, National Medical Director

Ms. Mirenda ODonovan, Secretary to theBoard

1.                 Minutes of the meeting of19^th June 2007

The Minutes of the meeting of Board of 19^th June were agreed, subject to amendment and proposed by Ms Margaret Mullett and seconded by Ms Jane OBrien.

The Board agreed that Mr David Lowe should act as Chairperson.

2.         Matters arising

Progesa

The CE got a proposal from MAK for the stabilisation project yesterday.  The CE will be discussing the proposal with the IT Manager on his return from annual leave.

eProgesa

KPMG have commenced their review of the eProgesa project. 

CorkCentre

The Chairperson is seeking a meeting with the Minister for Health and Children.  A review of acute hospitals is underway in the HSE Southern Area.  This is due to be completed in October.  Any new Centre will need to be sited on an acute hospital site.  The CE pointed out that the DOH&C have not formally responded to any of the reports or proposals submitted by the IBTS for a new Cork Centre.  The Board agreed that if possible the group from the Board which previously attended the meeting with the Minister should be at the next meeting, to emphasise the seriousness of the matter from the Boards perspective.. It was agreed that S Wyse and J OBrien would talk to the Chairperson in advance of the meeting, if they were be unable to attend.

It was also agreed that the Board would write to the IMB seeking guidance in relation to the decisions that the Board may have to make, in the event that there is no funding forthcoming for a new centre.

NHO

It will not be possible to get the DOH&C, the IMB and the IBTS to a meeting before the end of August or early September.

Pensions

Proposed changes to the scheme were rejected by a staff ballot. The CE has sought a meeting with the unions to progress this matter.

3.         Chief Executives Report

The CEs report was noted.

Blood Supply

The blood supply has been good for July, following continual advertising and group specific text messaging. 

Donation Process Review

Agreement has been reached with the unions to roll out the outcomes of the pilot of phase one to all clinics.  Implementation will commence in October 2007.

Tissue Inspection

The IMB carried out an inspection of tissue activities in the NBC on 26-28^th June.   There was one major deficiency.  The IMB has not yet indicated whether it will carry out a further inspection before issuing a tissue establishment licence.

Appointments

The person appointed to the Director of Nursing position has decided not to take the offer.  The Supply Chain Manager will commence in that position next month.

CUMH

At the monthly review meeting CUH management requested a further extension to the end of October, with some suggestion of an extension to Christmas.  The current extension expires on 1^st September.  The IBTS has requested a transition plan from CUH, outlining precisely how the transfer of the provision of service will take place, with detailed timelines.  Concerns were raised that recruitment by CUH of some staff from the IBTS would have direct implications on the IBTS ability to provide the service.  It was agreed that the extension to 31^st October would be granted, provided the IBTS had the staff to provide the service and that it be clearly communicated to CUH that there will be no further extensions granted.  It was agreed that the continuation of this arrangement was unsatisfactory as the risk inherent in the provision of this service was disproportionate for the IBTS.

Other projects

The purchase of a business query tool was approved in the 2007 budget. 

The Electronic Document Management System is a stand alone system and the first module is on schedule to go live in November.  

ISBT 128 is not compatible with our current version of Progesa.  This project must be re-visited in light of this development. 

It was agreed that a list of approved capital projects be recirculated to the Board.  It was also confirmed that the management limit for budget approval on capital expenditure was ¬2 million annually following normal budgetary approval.  All matters over this amount were referred to the Board for approval.

Laboratory Review

The CE soughtBoardapproval to commence negotiations on the laboratory review.  It was agreed that the Executive would make a detailed cost presentation to the Finance Committee in September.

Blood for Life Week

The CE informed theBoardthat Blood for Life Week would run from 17^th to 24^th September and that there will be a donor awards ceremony inDublinon 18^th September. 

It was agreed that the Board would hold its annual meeting in Cork on 20^th November.

4.         Presentation by Environmental Health and Safety Manager

The Environmental Health and Safety manager made a presentation on comparative health and safety data for 2005 and 2006.   TheBoardthanked her for her presentation.

The Chairman of the National Waste Management Committee made a presentation on the activities of the Committee since it was established in 2005.  The Board thanked him for his presentation.

The Board congratulated both presenters on the progress made in their respective areas.

5.         Presentation by Chief Executive on Balanced Scorecard

The Chief Executive made a presentation to the Boardon the IBTS balanced scorecard for the year, under four headings. There was a general discussion on the report and it was agreed that a further report should be made at the December meeting. 

6.         Minutes of the MAC meeting 15^th May 2007

Dr Lawlor made a presentation to the MAC on Dr Strengers report on the NHO.  There was some discussion about an individual case that was brought to the attention of the MAC meeting.   Dr ORiordan made a presentation on an evaluation of TIGRIS.  It was agreed that Dr ORiordan would make the same presentation to the Board.

7.         Pension Scheme

Three main amendments were proposed to the Trust Deed for the Pension Scheme.  Proposed changes to the Deed are to bring it in line with existing legislative requirements.   The Board expressed concern about a proposed amendment to give employees even a limited opt-out clause, and suggested that the Trustees be asked to revisit this item, having been informed of the Boards view.

8.         Correspondence

The Chief Executive reported to the Board about correspondence concerning a former employee.

The Chief Executive also reported to the Board that in correspondence from the DOH&C, only members of the Board not employed in the public service would be eligible to be paid a fee under the new SI.  The Board expressed its concern about this view and agreed that the Chairperson should lodge the Boards disagreement with the application of the rule by the DOH&C.

9.         Date of next meeting

The date of the next Board meeting is Tuesday 18^th September at 2.00pm

Signed:_________________                                     Date___________________