13th October 2005 - Board Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held on Thursday 13th October, 2005 at 2.00 p.m.in the Boardroom, National Blood Centre, Jamess Street, Dublin 8

 Present:                                  Ms. Maura McGrath (Chairperson)

                                   Dr. Liz Keane

                                               Dr. Melanie Cotter                           

                                   Dr. Cees Van Der Poel

                                              Ms. Jane OBrien

                                                Mr. David Keenan

                                               Mr. Sean Wyse

Mr. David Lowe

Dr. Mary Cahill

Apologies:                  Dr. Mary Horgan

                                                Mr. Tony McNamara

                                   Mr. Mark Moran

In Attendance:           Mr. Andrew Kelly (CE)

                                    Dr. William Murphy (NMD)

                                    Mr. Michael Healy (SEO)

Deferred items from Board Meeting22^nd September 2005:

-        Interim report on Pension Fund

The report was noted. The Chief Executive briefed the meeting on the report. The Actuary will issue her findings on the report in due course.

-        Minutes of MAC Meeting8^th June 2005

The MAC minutes of 8^th June 2005were noted. The draft updated terms of reference for the MAC will come to Board at the November Board meeting.

Dr Murphy noted that the IBTS is examining the various vCJD tests that are being developed at present.  It is expected in the first quarter of 2006, to have a clearer understanding on the effects of implementing a test for vCJD.

-        Minutes of Finance Committee Meeting1^st June 2005

The minutes were noted.  The IBTS is appealing its VAT assessment and has applied for the retrieval of VAT payments.

The 2006 budget will be presented to Board at the November meeting

-        Minutes of Audit Committee Meeting6^th July 2005

The minutes were noted. It was felt that a clinical risk register should be developed similar to the general risk register.  The CE noted that the clinical risk register is captured in the general register and is actioned to be in place in the first quarter of 2006.

Minutes of Meeting22^nd September 2005

The minutes of the Board meeting held on Thursday, 22^nd September 2005, were adopted on the proposal of Ms. J OBrien, seconded by Mr. S. Wyse and signed by the Chairperson.

4.         Chief Executives Report

The CE report was noted.

The CE briefed the Board on a number of legal cases.

The Board agreed the updated drawing instructions for IBTS given toAIB.

Blood Stock Management

Mr Paddy Bowler, Operations Director, gave a presentation to Board on blood stock management. The Chairperson thanked the Operations Director for his comprehensive presentation which was followed by a question and answer session.

5.         Internal Audit Charter & Code of Ethics

            The current Charter was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Board.

6.        CorkCentre

            It was agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Tánaiste outlining the

Boards concern at the lack of progress in getting a decision on the building of a new Cork Centre. A Board sub committee was established to review the matter. The Committee members are Mr D Keenan, Ms J OBrien, Mr T McNamara (subject to his agreement), Dr W Murphy, the Chairperson and Chief Executive.

Mr S Wyse and Dr L Keane left the meeting at this stage.

7.         Minutes of MAC Meeting14^th July 2005

            The Minutes of the MAC Meeting 14/7/2005 were noted.

The Chair requested that the development of a test for vCJD and the implications for this in terms of capital investment in additional laboratories, resources etc. should  be an item on the Board Agenda in the coming months.

8.         Correspondence

The IMB has invited the Chairperson to meet with them.

9.         Date and Venue of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the IBTS will take place in the Barry Room in the MRTC on November 10^th at1.15pm.

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