annual report images

1.3 Chair of the National Blood Authority Board report

I am pleased to present the National Blood Authority Board's annual report on its operations during the year ending 30 June 2007, which is required under section 44(2) of the National Blood Authority Act 2003.

The National Blood Authority Board was established under the National Blood Authority Act 2003, with the following functions:

  1. to participate in consultation with the Minister about the performance of the National Blood Authority's functions
  2. to provide advice to the General Manager about the performance of the NBA's functions
  3. to liaise with governments, suppliers and other stakeholders about matters relating to the NBA's functions
  4. to perform such other functions (if any) as specified in a written notice given by the Minister to the Chair.

Board members are selected by the Australian Health Ministers' Conference and appointed by the Australian Government Minister for Health and Ageing to serve a period not exceeding four years.

In 2006–07 the Board met four times. Three meetings occurred under the chairmanship of Professor Richard Smallwood. Professor Smallwood concluded his term as Chair in May 2007, as did one of the state/territory representatives, Dr Chris Brook, and the community representative, Mr Russell McGowan. I was appointed National Blood Authority Board Chair in May 2007. Two further appointments were made to the Board at that time: Associate Professor David Cooper as the public health expert and Mr Rob Christie as the community representative. Dr Peter Lewis-Hughes moved to become a state/territory representative, along with Mr Robin Michael, while Mr Ken Barker continues as the financial expert, and Mr David Kalisch, who replaced Mr Philip Davies in November 2006, remains the Australian Government representative. Biographies of the current and former National Blood Authority Board members are at the end of my report.

The new Board met for the first time on 12 June 2007. During this meeting, members were briefed on the roles and functions of the National Blood Authority.

In 2006–07, the Board played a significant role in the development of several key projects and outcomes. The Board provided advice and guidance to the General Manager, Dr Alison Turner, during the year on the following activities.

Australian Red Cross Society Deed of Agreement

Since the inception of the National Blood Authority in 2003, the National Blood Authority Board has been integrally involved in the analysis of options and associated risks for the now successfully negotiated Deed of Agreement with the Australian Red Cross Society. The Board provided significant advice on a number of strategic and tactical matters, essential to the development of the Deed and the process undertaken to achieve its execution. The Board will continue to support the General Manager on matters related to the implementation of the Deed and the further enhancement of the relationship with the Australian Red Cross Society and Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

Business study of the operations of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service

With the execution of the Deed with the Australian Red Cross Society, arrangements are now in place to undertake a business study of the operations of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. During the year, the Board advised the National Blood Authority of risk and risk mitigation strategies in relation to the conduct of the study. Additionally, the Board supported the General Manager by providing nominations and introductions to individuals for the membership of the Expert Advisory Committee, established by the General Manager for the business study.

Business cases from the Australian Red Cross Blood Service

The Board provided advice to the National Blood Authority on a number of issues related to the business cases. Initial consideration has been given to the funding of, and individual challenges posed by the pressure for, relocation of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service's principal sites. In addition, the Board gave consideration to issues relating to the implementation of universal leucodepletion and bacterial contamination testing of platelets.

Clinical Advisory Council

The Clinical Advisory Council, through its interaction with the clinical sector, continues to provide valuable advice to the National Blood Authority on a range of project streams aimed at promoting best practice in the sector, practice improvement initiatives, system improvements and research, data and benchmarking. During the year, the Board nominated Dr Peter Lewis-Hughes for membership on the Clinical Advisory Council and provided advice for the appropriate tasking and focusing of the work of the Clinical Advisory Council.

Review of plasma fractionation arrangements

The National Blood Authority sought the Board's strategic advice on issues identified in the Review of Australia's Plasma Fractionation Arrangements. Key issues included appropriate measures to improve the efficacy of negotiations with suppliers, strategies for the implementation of multiple-year supply planning and consideration of policy ramifications for distribution improvements. The Board will continue to monitor the implications of the review in the future.

Future directions of data activities

Following the 2006 Data Workshop, the Board provided advice and guidance on the prioritisation and targeting of the role the National Blood Authority should  play in collecting, analysing and promoting data on the performance of the sector.

Statement of Intent

In response to the Minister's Statement of Expectation the Board provided guidance on the development of the indicators and structure of the Statement of Intent. This was duly provided to the Minister. Both the Statement of Expectation and the Statement of Intent are available on the National Blood Authority website, www.nba.gov.au.

Operational Plan

In early 2007, the Board provided input into the National Blood Authority's Operational Plan. The former Board Chair, Professor Richard Smallwood, attended the National Blood Authority's executive planning retreat. The Board considered the draft of the 2007–08 Operational Plan and worked with the General Manager to refine the five key development themes for 2007–08.

IVIg tender

The Board was instrumental in providing advice on the scope and nature of policy parameters to guide the new tender for the IVIg standing offer.

Diagnostics reagents tender

As agreed by the Jurisdictional Blood Committee, the National Blood Authority commenced a procurement process to establish a new standing offer for diagnostic reagents. The Board provided input into the consultative phase of the development of the standing offer.

Overseas travel program

The Board provided input into the development and endorsement of the 2006–07 overseas travel agenda for National Blood Authority staff members.

Future directions

Key issues that the Board will focus on in the future include:

Finally, I thank the three departing Board members: Professor Richard Smallwood, Dr Chris Brook and Mr Russell McGowan. Over the last four years, Professor Smallwood has guided the work program and future direction of the National Blood Authority. He has also represented the National Blood Authority in a number of other forums such as the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service research and development conference. I am certain he will continue to contribute to blood sector reforms in his role as Chair of the Clinical Advisory Council.

Dr Brook and Mr McGowan have both made significant contributions to the direction of the National Blood Authority through the provision of expert advice. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours.

I look forward, as do the other Board members, to continuing our guidance of the National Blood Authority.

General Manager's Signature

Mr Garry Richardson

Chair
National Blood Authority Board

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