February 2009 Board Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Tuesday 17th February 2009 at 2.00pm in the Boardroom, National Blood Centre, James's Street, Dublin 8.
Present: Ms. Maura McGrath (Chairperson)
Mr. Sean Wyse (by conference call)
Mr. David Lowe
Ms. Margaret Mullett
Mr. Gerry O'Dwyer
Ms. Jane O'Brien
Mr David Keenan
Dr Margaret Murray
Mr Mark Moran (Acting Chairperson)
Apologies: Dr. Cees Van Der Poel
Dr Mary Cahill
Dr Robert Landers
Also in attendance: Mr. Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive
Dr. William Murphy, Medical &Scientific Director
Ms Mirenda O'Donovan Secretary to the Board
1. Minutes of the meeting of 20th January 2009
The minutes of the meeting of the Board of 20th January 2009 were agreed subject to amendment.
2. Matters arising
Audit & Compliance Committee
The Audit & Compliance Committee met on 10th February and reviewed the IMB inspection reports for the NBC and the MRTC.
Proposed pension levy
Legislation on the proposed pension levy is due to be published on Wednesday. It is not yet clear whether the IBTS will be included in the legislation.
vCJD - Prion filtration & testing
The Director of Testing is due to make a presentation to the Board on the possibility of a test for vCJD later in the meeting.
3. Chief Executive's Report
Blood supply
The blood supply for January was difficult and required a significant increase in local advertising and marketing activity. It has picked up in recent weeks. Specific measures were required to target O negative donors as the supply has been very difficult to maintain and it is being monitored on a daily basis.
Laboratory Review
Discussions commenced with the laboratory Chiefs in the Cork Centre last Wednesday. The Head of Processing and Hospital Services commenced on 16th February.
Donation Process Review
Phase II will commence in the Castlebar clinic on 10th March.
Pension Scheme
The unions have been invited to attend a meeting to discuss the seriousness of the situation. The proposed pensions levy may have implications for what can be achieved. It was agreed that the Finance Committee would look at this matter in detail at its meeting on Monday next, after the legislation is published and consider proposals from the Executive. It was agreed that if necessary after that meeting, the Board would convene a special meeting. The Trustees have nominated the 6th March for a presentation to staff.
Cork Centre
This project has commenced with the appointment of a Steering Committee. The CE met senior HSE officials with the Cork Centre Laboratory Manager to discuss potential sites.
4. Presentation on vCJD testing
The Director of Testing gave a presentation on the current status of a test for vCJD. The Board thanked her for her detailed and informative presentation.
It was agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Secretary General of the DOH&C and the Medical and Scientific Director would write to the Chief Medical Officer seeking the reconstituting of the Advisory Committee on vCJD.
It was agreed that the Executive would work on a contingency plan in the event of a decline in donations. It was noted by the Board that the final decision to introduce a test for vCJD would rest with the Minister.
The Board asked that presentations be circulated in advance of the Board meeting.
5. Presentation on Quality & Compliance
The Director of Quality & Compliance gave a presentation on the IBTS 2008 Annual Report to the IMB. The Board thanked her for her detailed and informative presentation and suggested that the data be presented in a more meaningful way.
The Board proposed that attendance by the Director of Quality & Compliance at the MAC be considered.
It was agreed that in future the Director of Quality & Compliance would present to the A&C Committee prior to the Board.
6. Minutes of the Audit & Compliance Committee meeting - 12th November 2008
The Minutes of the Audit & Compliance Committee meeting were taken as read.
7. Any Other Business
8. Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Board will take place on 21st April 2009 at 2pm at the National Blood Centre.
