15th October 2003 - Board Minutes
Minutes of the Board Meeting of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Wednesday 15th October, 2003 at 2.00pm at the National Blood Centre, Jamess Street, Dublin 8.
Present: Ms Maura McGrath (Chairperson)
Dr Liz Keane
Dr Cees Van Der Poel
Dr Gerry Crotty
Mr Tony McNamara
Apologies: Dr Mary Horgan
Ms Valerie Mannix
Dr Helen Enright
In Attendance: Mr Andrew Kelly (A/CE)
Dr William Murphy (NMD)
Mr. Michael Healy (SEO)
The Board congratulated Ms. Maura McGrath on her appointment as Chairperson of the IBTS for the period 8th October 2003 to 31st August 2006. The Chairperson thanked the Board members for their good wishes and wished to record her appreciation for the work of Mr. M. McLoone, past Chairman, over the last two years. She also wished to acknowledge the service of Mr. P. Farrell, Dr. A.OConnor, and Dr. K. Murphy. Ms. McGrath expressed that she was honoured to take the Chair. She noted the tremendous professionalism of the staff and Board in bringing the organisation forward in recent years and will bring her energy and commitment to continue this professionalism of the IBTS in her role as Chairperson.
The Chairperson commented that she would be meeting as soon as possible with individual Board members to discuss future appropriate Agenda items, governance and schedule of matters appropriate to the Board.
1. Minutes of Meeting 10.09.2003
The minutes of the Board meeting held on Wednesday September 10th 2003 were adopted on the proposal of Mr. T. McNamara, seconded by Dr. G. Crotty and signed by the Chairperson.
2. Matters arising
Donor Notification
Legislation regarding Committees of Investigation has not, as yet, been enacted.
MAK Systems
The IBTS will be meeting with personnel from MAK, France, on October 21st 2003 in order to arrange an audit of MAK and to discuss issues pertaining to the Progesa computer system.
New Appointments
Ms. Olga Flinter has been appointed Training and Development Manager in the IBTS.
Recombinant Products
Dr. B. White of the Product Selection Monitoring and Advisory Group had agreed with our proposal that Factor VIII and IX concentrates to be ordered in the upcoming contract should allow for flexibility in regard to volumes. It is understood that there would be a possibility that a third generation Factor VIII concentrate will be licensed in 2004 in Europe and following post marketing assessment may be requested by clinicians.
Bone Banking
The Acting Chief Executive has written to the Department of Health & Children seeking clarification on the supply of bone allograft from the Cork Centre.
3. Chief Executives Report
The report was noted.
NAT Testing - The Board agreed that it was imperative a senior figure from the Cork Centre would be part of the Project Team for the implementation of NAT in the NBC. The Acting Chief Executive will be raising this matter with Dr. J. Power. It was noted that NAT testing in Cork must be exactly the same as Dublin when NAT testing comes on line in Cork.
Finance it was noted that there would be severe restrictions on funding from the Department of Health & Children for 2004 and it is expected that no price increase will be granted for blood.
Strategic Plan The Acting Chief Executive briefed the Board on his document Strategic Development of the IBTS. He has commenced the process of drawing up a Strategic Plan for the IBTS covering the period 2004 2009. The process is an inclusive one and all departments and areas of the organisation are being given the opportunity to have an input into the development of the plan. It is intended that the plan will be presented to the Board in February 2004. The Chairperson endorsed the programme and felt it was an important initiative for dealing with the past and providing direction for the future.
The plan will be a rolling five-year plan and will have flexibility with an in-built annual review as part of the framework document. The Chairperson invited the Acting Chief Executive to present a workshop to the Board on the Strategic Plan. The Board complimented the Acting Chief Executive for this initiative and it is expected that the Board will have input to the plan in the latter stages of the process.
Finance it was noted that the IBTS has an over-reliance on Recombinant products which has the effect of masking the true figure for income and expenditure. It was also noted that the Department of Health & Children would probably restrict funding with regard to certain initiatives. It was also noted that VAT must be charged on Recombinant products in the future.
4. Health Service Reform Proposal
Board members were circulated with a briefing paper from the Department of Health and Children on the key messages from the Task Force Report (Hanly Report). It was noted that the reform proposals for the health service would have significant changes for the IBTS and the manner in which the IBTS conducts its business. It was noted that funding of the IBTS in the future might come from the Health Service Executive as part of the allocation of resources within the health service. It was noted that although the IBTS was not part of the Prospectus Review, nor was it consulted on the matter, that it was mentioned and listed amongst the health agencies that will be affected by the changes. It was agreed that this item would be on the Agenda for the November meeting and that the Acting Chief Executive would make a presentation on the implications of the proposed reforms.
5. Donor Notification 1991 1994 Dublin Centre
6. Development of Cork Centre
Documents compiled by the Regional Director, Dr. J. Power, were circulated to the Board. The documents outlined the various reports and comments with regard to the Cork Centre by the IMB and the International Expert Panel. In light of the deferral of funding from the Department of Health & Children on the new building in Cork it was decided that the Board must look at the options available to ensure an appropriate facility is provided for continuing effective operations in Cork. It was agreed that
i. The Chairperson and Acting Chief Executive would meet with the Minister for Health and Children to outline the situation and to emphasis the importance of the Department providing a new building on the CUH site.
ii. It was agreed that a proposal, with outline costs, would be brought to the November meeting as to the direction the Board should take in regard to either the refurbishment of the existing site with a proposal for additional accommodation or locating, in the interim, to another site.
7. Organisation Development Programme
The Acting Chief Executive informed the Board that Communiqué International will be meeting in the near future with the medical Consultants to discuss the medical department and future organisation of medical work.
The Chairperson suggested that she might step down from the sub-group to allow for greater objectivity.
It was understood that due to the unavailability of medical consultants over the summer holidays, that it was not possible to organise meetings with all the medical consultants. It is hoped that the matter can be progressed expeditiously and that a report would be presented to the November Board meeting.
8. Audit Committee Minutes 11.06.03
Mr. T. McNamara briefed the Board on the meeting of the Audit Committee meeting 11.06.03.
It was agreed that the selection of nominees for the Audit and Finance Committees would be deferred to the November Board meeting.
9. Pension Contribution
The Board agreed that the Director of Finance, Ms. S. Bailey, would replace Dr. A. OConnor as a trustee of the Pension Scheme.
10. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the IBTS Board will take place on Wednesday November 12th 2003 in the Maryborough House Hotel, Cork, at 2.00 p.m. It was noted that Board members have been invited to visit the Cork Centre at 11.30 a.m. on the same day.
11. Any Other Business
It was agreed that the Board should write to the Minister for Health and Children urging him to appoint members to the Board, as there are four vacancies on the Board at present.
The MAC will be meeting at 10.15 a.m. in the Cork Centre on Wednesday 12th November 2003.
Signed:
.. Date:
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