National Blood Authority Australia
Annual Report 2010–11
Part 2: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011-12
NBA Board and Report
The NBA Board was established under the National Blood Authority Act 2003 to:
- participate in consultations about the performance of the NBA's functions with the Australian Government Minister for Health and Ageing
- provide advice to the General Manager about the performance of the NBA's functions
- liaise with governments, suppliers and other stakeholders about matters relating to the NBA's functions
- perform such other functions as specified in a written notice given by the Minister to the Chair.
NBA Board Members
Ms Gayle Ginnane-chair
Mr Ken Barker-financial expert
Mr Paul Bedbrook-community representative
Adjunct Professor Chris Brook PSM-state and territory representative
Dr Stephen Christley-state and territory representative
Ms Mary Murnane-Australian Government representative
Professor George Rubin-public health expert
Appendix 4 contains details of the Board members.
Report of the NBA Board for 2011-12
This is my second report following my appointment as Chair of the NBA Board in May 2011.
During the year the Board met four times and also held its annual meeting with the Blood Service Board in October 2011.
During 2011-12 the NBA Board continued to provide advice to the general managers on the NBA's strategic directions, alignment with government priorities and approach to stakeholder communication and engagement. The Board has welcomed the decision of Australian governments to increase the NBA's base funding. This decision will enable the NBA to maintain current functions and build on its current investments, particularly in the areas of data collection, management and analysis.
The key areas of focus of the NBA Board over the past year were:
Fresh blood management
The annual meeting of the Blood Service and NBA boards took place in October 2011. This forum provided an opportunity to explore relevant issues. The NBA Board expressed a strong desire to ensure that, where possible, operational issues relating to the new deed were progressed while the strategic issues were considered separately.
A highlight of the year was the opening of the Blood Service's Melbourne Processing Centre on 30 April 2012. The new facility follows the opening of the Blood Service's Sydney processing centre in June 2011 and is a major enhancement to the nation's infrastructure. It will manufacture around 30 per cent of Australia's national fresh blood supply. The new centre is modular and can be scaled to meet the Blood Service's requirements for the next 20 to 30 years. This is a significant investment by the Australian taxpayer, providing infrastructure for the Blood Service to meet Australia's blood supply needs.Assessment of proposals for changes to products and services funded under the national blood arrangements
The Board expressed concern that the development of a process to evaluate changes to the national blood supply has been protracted. The Board welcomed the JBC decision in September 2011 to establish a working group to review the process of proposals for changes to products and services funded under the national blood arrangements. The Board takes the view that the process should include an ??exceptional use policy to address applications for small volume products and life-threatening conditions for which there is no other realistic management option.
Sector improvement
During 2011-12 the Board offered advice on the following projects designed to increase affordability and performance of the blood sector:
- a blood sector research framework to guide the development and implementation of an NBA blood sector research program. We emphasised that research to improve information systems should be a priority and suggested that the NBA approach the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) about potential research topics and possible involvement in an investigator-led research program
- the reinvigoration of the NBA Clinical Advisory Committee and replacement of the NBA Principal Medical Officer. Given the importance of improving clinical governance in the sector we supported initiatives which would guide the work of the agency on clinical matters.
Enhancing national data management
The Board has continued to provide strong oversight of the NBA's sector information management and data strategy, implementation of which was a key recommendation of the Administrative Review of the National Blood Arrangements 2009 (the Webster Review). The aim of the strategy is to ensure the national blood arrangements are efficient, reduce waste and provide a safe supply of blood to patients. Board members were encouraged by the successful rollout of BloodNet, a key step to improving current inventory management processes. The major upgrade of the ABDR, which collects clinical information related to the treatment of bleeding disorders, is also a major step forward in improving the efficiency and provision of robust data to improve patient outcomes.
Corporate Plan for 2012-15
The Board has provided strong strategic guidance in the development of the NBA's Corporate Plan for 2012-15. The new plan will have a strong focus on addressing financial sustainability pressures on the blood sector. We suggested several innovative strategies, for example, to engage with clinicians about the development of a clinical demand management strategy, and the establishment of an information management and data analysis capability.
NBA performance
The performance of the NBA was assessed by the Australian National Audit Office's (ANAO) audit The National Blood Authority's Management of the National Blood Supply, tabled on 12 October 2011 (see page 103 for details of the report's findings and recommendations).
The Board acknowledged the timely release of the report and the focus of the recommendations on encouraging further blood sector efficiency, but noted there are a number of recommendations for which the NBA does not have sole responsibility and which depend on the cooperation of the states and territories and the public and private health sectors. With these issues in mind the Board provided advice on an implementation plan to comprehensively address the recommendations of the report.
A key role of the Board is to provide advice to the General Manager about the performance of the NBA against its annual operational plan. The NBA has performed to a high standard during the course of 2011-12 year, completing 87 per cent of the activities identified in the agency's 2011-12 Operational Plan. While good gains were made on the remaining activities, some key milestones were not met due to changes with sector priorities and key staff.
2012-13 priorities
The Board is mindful that the Australian blood sector faces immediate and ongoing challenges to its sustainability and effectiveness, and that these challenges must be addressed. On this basis a key priority for 2012-13 will be to commence work with key stakeholders to improve the financial sustainability of the blood sector.
Other key priorities during 2012-13 are expected to include:
- continued work on contractual arrangements with the Blood Service, including negotiating the new deed of agreement
- development of a national information data strategy
- implementation of BloodNet in all jurisdictions
- finalisation of the redevelopment of the ABDR
- continued development of the patient blood management guidelines - input to a second national blood policy forum
- implementation of the recommendations of the ANAO report.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank my fellow Board members for their contributions over the course of 2011-12. The depth and breadth of members' experience has been invaluable. Board members also extend our very best wishes to the NBA's inaugural General Manager, Dr Alison Turner, following her retirement in August 2011. Alison was responsible for establishing the agency and provided oversight and guidance, leading to an impressive list of achievements targeted at meeting the key objectives of the National Blood Agreement. The work of the NBA was continued for an interim period by Deputy General Manager Stephanie Gunn, who was appointed Acting General Manager. The Board thanks Stephanie for her strategic leadership, hard work, attention to detail and positive influence in the sector, while in that role.
The Board welcomes the appointment of Mr Leigh McJames as the new NBA General Manager. Leigh was appointed on 27 March 2012 by the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, the Hon Catherine King, and commenced with the NBA on 3 April 2012. He has brought strong knowledge and experience to the position, both with the NBA and the blood and hospital sectors. The Board looks forward to the future evolution of the NBA's role and contribution to the sector under his leadership.
Gayle Ginnane
Chair
National Blood Authority