23rd September 2008 - Board Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of theBoardof the Irish Blood Transfusion Service held onTuesday  23^rd September 2008at2.00pmin theBoardroom, National Blood Centre, James’s Street,Dublin8.

Present:                                 MsMaura McGrath(Chairperson)

Dr Mary Cahill

Dr Robert Landers

Mr David Lowe

MrSean Wyse

                                                Dr Margaret Murray

Mr David Keenan

Apologies:                              Dr Cees Van Der Poel

Ms. Margaret Mullett

Mr Mark Moran

Mr Gerry O’Dwyer

Ms Jane O’Brien

Also in attendance:               Mr. Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive

Dr William Murphy, National Medical Director

Mirenda O’Donovan, Secretary to theBoard

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1.                 Minutes of the meeting of  2008

The minutes of the meeting of the Board of 8^th July 2008were agreed subject to amendment and were proposed by Mr David Keenan and seconded by Mr David Lowe.

2.                 Matters arising

EBA Benchmarking

The next EBA Board meeting will discuss progress on the benchmarking exercise being carried out among members.

MercyUniversityHospital

The CE met staff in the Cork Centre as well as hospital management to progress the transfer of crossmatching service from the Cork Centre to MUH.

3.                 Chief Executive’s Report

Blood supply

The blood supply had held well over the summer months and while there was a fall off in O negative donations in September, steps have been taken to deal with it.  Blood for Life Week was held from 14^th to 21^st September and various events were co-ordinated to occur during this week to maximise the impact of the public awareness campaign.

HR

Laboratories review

The new rosters were implemented on 25^th August. 

Donation Process Review

The Labour Courtfound in favour of the IBTS and the changes must now be implemented.  IBTS has sought a meeting with the relevant unions to discuss timetable for implementation.

Training & Development

The training and development initiative ‘Quantum Leap – Transformation through Learning’ was launched on Friday 19^th September.  The Board commended management in delivering the changes in the Donation Process Review and the Laboratories Review. The Board also welcomed this initiative which is central to delivering the strategy of change in the IBTS.

Resignation

The Director of Finance has resigned and will be leaving at the end of the November.  The Chairperson of the Board and the Chairpersons of the Finance Committee and the Audit & Compliance Committee recorded their thanks to the Director of Finance for her contribution to the IBTS.

Pension Scheme

CE briefed the Board on the current state of the pension fund.  It was agreed at the last Pension Trustees meeting that the trustees would hold information meetings for staff.  The negotiations with staff on the changes to the scheme were also discussed.

Management Structures

The CE briefed the Board on the progress of the new management structure. The Board fully supports the revised structures and sought an assurance that the relevant staff would be communicated with in both Centres.

BFLW 08

The CE briefed the Board on activities and media coverage for Blood for Life Week.

Donor Awards Ceremonies

The CE reminded Board members of the award ceremony for 100 time donors in Clontarf Castle and the ceremony in Tuam for 50 and 100 time donors on 12^th October.

Public Accounts Committee

The CE also briefed the Board on a request from the Public Accounts Committee that he appear before them on 23^rd October regarding “Chapter 5 of the Special Report 10 of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Accounts 2006”.

4.                 Presentation on IT & Facilities

The IT & Facilities Manager made a presentation to the Board.  The Board thanked the IT & Facilities Manager for his detailed and informative presentation.

5.                 Minutes of the Medical Advisory Committee– 17^th June 2008

The minutes of the MAC were taken as read.  The MAC discussed the visit to the UK to observe the SABRE system in operation.  The MAC concluded that this system would be appropriate for use inIreland.   

The Consultant Manpower Plan was also discussed and it was agreed by the Board that this would be updated by the CE and NMD.

6.                 Audit & Compliance Committee –June 10^th 2008

The minutes of the Audit & Compliance Committee were taken as read.  The annual report of the Audit & Compliance Committee noted the extent of the work carried out by Internal Audit over the year.  The Committee also welcomed the addition of external expertise to the Committee.  There will be a briefing on Quality for Committee members on 6^th October.

7.                 CorkCentre

The Chair and the Chief Executive briefed the Board on recent discussions.  It was agreed that the Chief Executive would revert to the Finance Committee meeting on 7^th October with additional information.

8.                 Board workshop/profile of the IBTS

It was agreed that this item would be deferred until the next meeting of the Board.

9.                 Correspondence

There was no correspondence

10.             Date of next meeting

The Board agreed that the next meeting of the Board will be on Tuesday 21^st October at the National Blood Centre, commencing at the earlier time of1pm.

Signed:_________________                                      Date:_______________