10th November 2004 - Board Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Wednesday 10th November, 2004 at 1.30 pm Barry Room, MRTC, St Finbarrs Hospital, Cork.
Present: Ms. Maura McGrath (Chairperson)
Ms. Valerie Mannix
Dr. Liz Keane
Mr. David Lowe
Mr. David Keenan
Dr. Mary Horgan
Ms. Jane OBrien
Dr. Cees Van Der Poel
Apologies: Dr. Mary Cahill
Mr. Tony McNamara
Mr. Sean Wyse
Dr William Murphy (NMD)
In Attendance: Mr. Andrew Kelly (CE)
Mr. Michael Healy (SEO)
Ms. M McGrath, Chairperson, informed the Board of the appointments of Ms. Jane OBrien and Dr. Mary Cahill to the IBTS Board. In particular Ms. McGrath welcomed Ms OBrien to her first Board Meeting. Ms OBrien thanked the Chair for her kind words of welcome and hoped that she could make a positive contribution to the work of the Board in the public interest.
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 13.10.2004
The minutes of the Board meeting held on Wednesday, October 13th 2004, were adopted on the proposal of Mr. D. Keenan, seconded by Mr. D. Lowe and signed by the Chairperson.
2. Matters arising
The report of the Patient Outcome Analysis Steering Group has been presented to the IMB and the IBTS awaits a response.
3. Correspondence
The letter from the Tánaiste confirming the request to meet the Chair was noted.
4. Chief Executives Report
The report was noted.
The policy of deferring people as blood donors who have cumulatively resided in the UK for 1 Year or more was initiated on November 1st 2004. It was noted that the confirmed case of vCJD in Ireland was not blood related but more likely beef related.
An executive summary of the 2003 NHO Annual Report was circulated to Board members. A presentation on the full report will be given to the Board in the near future. Dr. Van Der Poel complimented the work of Dr Emer Lawlor and the National Haemavigilance Office and added that it was one of the best he had seen in Europe.
Bacteriological Screening of Apheresis Platelets commenced in the NBC November 2nd 2004. It is intended to have a national screening programme for Apheresis and Pooled platelets.
It was agreed that the IOD Workshop on Governance should take place on the morning of Wednesday January 12th 2005 in the NBC.
The CE informed the Board on a media query relating to compensation from commercial companies for IBTS product. It was understood that Board Policy since 1997 stated that no compensation should be sought or given for IBTS product. After some investigation it has emerged that some compensation was received in 2001/2002 for FFP. The Internal Auditor is investigating the matter and the CE will revert to the Board at the next meeting.
5. Outcome of Climate Survey
Mr Conor Hannaway of SHR Consulting gave a presentation to the Board on the outcome from the Climate Survey. He outlined the background, main findings, priorities and recommendations emanating from the survey. He noted that there was a higher than usual response rate of 68% with half of the respondents adding further comments to the survey forms. It was felt important that there should be follow up, otherwise it was a fruitless exercise if not counterproductive. Focus groups have been set up led by members of the Business Review Group and others, to review the results. Action plans are to be drawn up to deal with the issues raised. It was suggested that a similar climate survey might be undertaken in 18 to 24 months to see if any changes have taken effect. The Climate Survey feeds into the Strategic Plan and into Management Development.
6. Donor Notification.
7. Budget 2005
Mr Noel Murphy gave a presentation on the budget for 2005 and briefed the Board on the background to the budgetary process. A 2% increase in the usage of Blood and Blood Components is forecast for 2005 with sales of Blood Products and testing services remaining at 2004 levels. The IBTS will not be seeking a price increase from the Department of Health & Children for 2005. Mr Murphy emphasised that it was important to maintain the focus on improvements in service while at the same time reviewing our processes and consumable prices for possible efficiencies and improved value for money. It was noted that the implementation of activity based budgeting is part of the Strategic Plan. Ms M. McGrath thanked Mr N. Murphy and Ms S Bailey for their work. The Board formally approved the budget for 2005.
8. Strategic Plan
The Chief Executive briefed the Board on the IBTS Strategic Plan 2005-2009, a draft copy of which had been circulated to Board members.
He noted that the formulation and implementation of a SP was an important process in the shaping of the future of the Blood Service. Its value can only be realised when a number of strategic thrusts are identified, measured and managed.
Each function has an action plan, which should be clearly laid out and aligned to the Strategic Plan (SP). The goals and objectives of the IBTS should be clear and simple and easily understood by all stakeholders.
The Chairperson invited each board member to comment and make suggestions on the document.
A number of suggestions were made in the following areas;
- Greater emphasis on finance.
- Highlighting of MRTC development.
- Clarity on operating to highest QA standard.Include IBTS accomplishments in the SP
- SP needs to be more inspiring as it outlines the mission, vision and values of the organisation.
- Greater clarity on the governance role of the boardGreater emphasis on donors, particularly from those from the regions .
The Chief Executive suggested that Board members might take the document with them and send in any further suggestions and comments before the next Board meeting.
9. Development of Cork Centre
The development of the Cork Centre is on target and on budget. There is an issue with regard to the movement of people between buildings, particularly during inclement weather. The options available to address this issue will be reviewed and brought to Board.
10. Minutes of Finance Committee Meeting - 1st September 2004
The minutes of the Finance Commitee meeting 1/9/2004 were noted.
11. Minutes of MAC Meeting - 15th September 2004
Dr Cees Van Der Poel briefed the Board on the MAC Meeting 15/9/2004.
12. Date of next Meeting
The next meeting of the Board will take place at the earlier time of 1pm in the NBC Boardroom on Wednesday December 8th 2004.
Signed: . .. Date: .
