December 2009 Board minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of theBoardof the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held onTuesday 15^th December 2009at2.00pmin theBoardroom, National Blood Centre, James’s Street,Dublin8.

Present:                                 Ms. Katharine Bulbulia (Chairperson)

                                                Mr. David Lowe 

Ms. Marie Keane

Ms. Jane O’Brien

Dr Mary Cahill

Mr Mark Moran

Ms Sinead Ni Mhaille

Dr Cees van der Poel

Mr Sean Wyse

Apologies:                              Dr Paul Browne

Mr David Keenan

Also in attendance:               Mr. Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive

Dr. William Murphy, Medical &Scientific Director

Ms Mirenda O’Donovan Secretary to theBoard

The Chairperson told the Board that Dr van der Poel had spoken to her prior to the meeting and informed her that he has decided to resign from the Board.  The Chairperson expressed her appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the Board for the benefit of his wisdom and advice over the last 7 years. 

The Chairperson also proposed a change to the agenda to allow for correspondence to be taken after the Chief Executive’s Report in conjunction with item 5.

1.     Minutes of the meeting of the Board on17^th November 2009

The minutes of the meeting of the Board on 17^th November 2009 were agreed subject to amendment.

2.     Matters arising

Chief Risk Officer

The Chief Executive said that this matter was still being considered by the Executive Management Team and that he would come back to the Board with a proposal.

3.     Chief Executive’s Report

Blood supply

The blood supply for November has been very good. There was a decrease in the use of platelets for the first time this year.

Quality

The NHO inspection has been closed out.  A set of metrics for QA were agreed at the Audit & Compliance Committee.

Days of action

The IBTS will hold discussions with SIPTU to put in place an agreed framework to secure the blood supply in the event of further industrial action.

Donation Process Review II

A single model for clinic operation is being scripted to provide clarity to the clinic teams.   Breaks will be discontinued on clinics in Carlow, Tuam and Ardee from 11^th January.

Laboratory ReviewCork

Staff in Cork voted to accept the agreement.  The agreement with the MLSA will be signed on Thursday 17^th December.

MUH Transfer

The transfer of crossmatch services will go ahead as planned on 20^th January.

CorkCentre

Correspondence from HSE South Estates has created uncertainty about the proposed site.  It was agreed that the CE would revert to the Board in January on proposals to progress the project.

Resources

The sub-group of the Board examined resourcing issues in the context of maintaining the blood supply.  The Board agreed to the proposal and also agreed to return to the matter as required. 

Defence Forces Gala Concert

The concert will now take place on Sunday January 10^th.  Board members wishing to attend should confirm with the CE’s Office. 

Joint Strategy workshop with EMT

It was agreed to hold the workshop on the same day as the January Board meeting.  The MAC will commence at 10.30am followed by the workshop, commencing at 12 midday and the Board meeting after that.

12. Correspondence

Agreement has been secured for a meeting between the DOH&C, the Department of Finance and the IBTS on the pension scheme.  The CE briefed the Board on legal advice on the correspondence from the Minister.  It was agreed that the Board position remain unchanged, pending the outcome of the meeting in January.  It was agreed that this meeting should take place as soon as possible in January. 

4.     Review of 2009

The Chief Executive gave a presentation on the major organisational developments in 2009.  The Board thanked him for the detailed review and remarked on the progress that had been achieved across a number of areas.  

The Board approved the revised budget proposals of a further reduction of 4% on red cells and a further reduction of 1% on the price of recombinant products arising from the changes in the budget.

5.     Terms of Reference for Remuneration Committee

The Board was briefed by Mr S Wyse on the work of the Remuneration Committee and the rationale for the draft terms of reference as outlined.  The terms of reference were approved by the Board and it was agreed that Mr S Wyse would be Chair of the Committee.

6.     Report from the Board sub-group on Research & Development

It was agreed that 1% of core budget for R&D would remain in place for 2010, moving to 2% as soon as practicable.  A costed proposal is to be developed by the sub-group including a R&D Advisory Committee and whether it should be a sub-committee of the Board.  It was agreed that the universities where there is a medical school should be approached to discuss R&D opportunities. 

7.     Travel & Subsistence and Hospitality Policies

The Board approved the proposed amended travel and subsistence policy and the hospitality policy.

8.     Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting – 2^nd November

A number of KPIs on financial performance were being agreed.  The report on benchmarking from the Dutch Government was not yet available.

9.     Minutes of the Audit & Compliance Committee – 8^th September

Minutes were noted.  The Committee have agreed to give a fuller account of all activity in future annual reports to the Board.

10. Minutes of the MAC meeting– 20^th October 2009

The Chairperson of the MAC expressed thanks to Dr van der Poel for his invaluable contribution to the MAC over the years.  The NHO will be taking over reporting of near misses from January 2010.   Dr Lawlor is due to present a paper to the MAC on the NHO and Governance.  The response from the Insurance Federation regarding the issue of vCJD was discussed.  Alternates for critical specialties are to be proposed to the Board. 

11. Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting of the Board is Tuesday 19^th January 2010.

Signed:_________________                                            Date:______________