15th November 2006 - Board Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Wednesday 15th November at 1.30pm in the Boardroom, National Blood Centre, James's Street, Dublin 8
Present: Ms. Maura McGrath (Chairperson)
Mr. Sean Wyse
Mr. David Lowe
Dr. Margaret Murray
Mr. Gerry ODwyer
Ms. Margaret Mullett
Mr David Keenan
Apologies: Dr Cees van der Poel
Dr Mary Cahill
Dr Robert Landers
Ms Jane OBrien
Mr. Mark Moran
Also in attendance: Mr. Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive
Dr. William Murphy, National Medical Director
Ms. Mirenda ODonovan, Secretary to the Board
1. Minutes of the meeting of 10th October
The minutes of the Board meeting were proposed by Mr Sean Wyse and seconded by Mr David Lowe, subject to amendment.
2. Matters arising
The Chief Executive had written to the DOH&C seeking clarification on behalf of the Board on a number of issues raised during a discussion on the Framework for Corporate and Financial Governance at the last meeting.
The Chief Executive will revert to the Board with revised structures in December.
Dr Strengers report on the NHO has not yet been received and the Department of Health and Children are pursuing this matter.
The Chairperson confirmed that the Minister for Health and Children Ms. Mary Harney, TD had written to her with a proposed date and time to meet to discuss the updated proposal for the development of new facilities in Cork. It was agreed that the sub-group of the Board who had met the Minister previously on this matter would reconvene in advance of the meeting and that the same board members would attend this meeting, subject to their availability.
The company who had carried out the option appraisal for the Cork Centre had confirmed that they could stand over the costings contained therein, subject to a number of caveats regarding scope and the impact of further delays.
3. Budget 2007
The Chief Executive presented an overview of the activities that had been planned for 2006 and the progress on each activity/project. Following discussion on the report the Board thanked him for the presentation.
It was agreed that the Chairperson would seek clarification from the Secretary General of the DOH&C on the oversight function of the department in relation to cost increases.
The Board thanked the Finance Director and her team for preparing the budget.
4. Flu Pandemic
It was agreed to take the presentation by the Operations Director on the flu pandemic plan before the Chief Executives Report.
The Operations Director gave a presentation on flu pandemic planning. The Board thanked the Operations Director for bringing them up to date on progress on this issue and the state of preparedness of the IBTS.
5. Chief Executives Report
The programme to transfer blood that is crossmatched but not transfused to CUH is proceeding according to the timeline agreed. St Marys Orthopaedic Hospital will commence the transfer programme shortly.
The Chief Executive confirmed the dates for the IMBs inspections of the NBC and the MRTC in December.
A Values Workshop was held on 27th October and a meeting of a sub-group of those who attended the workshop would be held on 24th November. The Chairperson endorsed this project and looked forward to seeing the final outcomes.
The Chief Executive reported that there were some issues regarding the traceability and quality directive. Discussions have already taken place with the DOH&C and the IMB regarding the IBTS concerns on the status of the NHO and a further meeting is being sought.
The eProgesa Steering Committee at its last meeting agreed that the IBTS would continue with the implementation of eProgesa as it afforded the best solution to the IBTS. The next meeting of the eProgesa Steering Committee will be on 20th November.
The Chief Executive sought Board approval for the appointment of Dr. Darina OFlanagan from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to the MAC. This was agreed.
6. CorkCentre
This was covered under matters arising and the Chairperson undertook to contact the members of the sub-group.
7. Medical Advisory Committee
In relation to the prion filter trials, the IBTS was still waiting for initial human volunteer study outcomes.
The IBTS have also introduced a policy of sample only for first time donors born outside Ireland and the UK.
The joint NVRL/IBTS Consultant Microbiologist post has been further delayed and the Chairperson undertook to clarify where Comhairle na hOspideals functions now resided in the HSE and revert to the Chief Executive.
8. Finance Committee
This item was substantially covered under the Budget 2007. The Chairperson thanked the Chief Executive and his staff for their work in preparation for the art exhibition scheduled for the evening.
9. Correspondence
Three items of correspondence were noted.
10. IBTS Superannuation Fund Report to the Board: November 2006
The Chairperson of the Trustees joined the meeting to brief the Board on the Fund and to give notice that the current Board of Trustees term of office expires on 3rd February 2007, with the exception of the Chairperson. Her term of office expires on 23rd January 2007 and a letter from the Board is required extending her term of office to February 3rd. This was agreed.
The Chief Executive informed the Board that 3 people had been nominated from the scheme membership and would form part of the new Board of Trustees which would take up office for a 6 year term on 4th February 2007. The Board is required to nominate 3 other trustees. It was agreed that this would be done at the December Board meeting.
It was agreed that the Superannuation Fund would be on the December agenda again for further discussion. The Board agreed to seek an independent view on the proposed changes to the scheme.
11. Donor Awards CeremonyDublin3rd December 2006
It was noted that the Donor Awards Ceremony on 3rd December is taking place in the Burlington Hotel.
12. Date of the next meeting
It was agreed that Haemachromatosis would be an item on the agenda at the next Board meeting.
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 12th December at 1.30pm which would be followed by the Board Christmas dinner.
Signed: __________________________ Date:__________________
