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NBA Board and Report

NBA Board Members

NBA Board Members (left to right) Chris Brook, Paul Bedbrook, Patti Warn, Gayle Ginnane (chair), George Rubin and Stephen Christley. Inset: Mary Murnane.

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
  • 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.

Board Members

Continuing Members
Ms Gayle Ginnane – chair
Mr Paul Bedbrook – financial expert
Adjunct Professor Chris Brook PSM – state and territory representative
Professor George Rubin – public health expert
Ms Patti Warn – community representative

Retiring Members
Dr Stephen Christley – state and territory representative
Ms Mary Murnane – Australian Government representative

Board Report for 2014-15

The financial results delivered by the NBA in 2014-15 again emphasised a continued strong focus on financial sustainability. This was a priority consideration going into the 2014-15 financial year and it is pleasing to see continued delivery of excellent outcomes against this objective.

The NBA Board met four times in 2014-15, including our annual meeting with the Blood Service Board in October 2014 which provided an opportunity for Board members of both organisations to meet and talk through key issues of mutual interest.

Year in Review

In 2014-15, the NBA Board considered and provided advice to the General Manager across the full spectrum of activities undertaken by the NBA. This included advice on the:

  • NBA strategic priorities, associated planning and outcome delivery in 2014-15
  • The 2014-15 NBA operational plan, including risk plan
  • National Managed Fund review and negotiations for a new Deed of Agreement with the Australian Red Cross Society
  • Ig procurement
  • Commonwealth Government's proposed merger between the NBA and the Organ and Tissue Authority
  • Priority topics for consideration in the development of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee (JBC) Strategic Plan 2016-18
  • Review of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
  • Research and development
  • Development of strategy and approach for the next CSL Behring fractionation agreement
  • Development of scoping paper for analysis of long term plasma sourcing options
  • National data collection for fresh blood and patient blood management
  • Output Based Funding Model cycle 3 – issues for negotiation with the Blood Service

Another significant area of activity for the Board in 2014-15 was the ongoing programme of stakeholder engagement. The Board engaged with key representatives through a series of presentations and follow-up discussions. These included:

  • Clinical and patient representatives in immunology
  • Representation from the private hospital sector
  • Blood product suppliers (CSL Behring)
  • The Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion

The stakeholder engagement programme continues to be successful in highlighting challenges to Board members that key stakeholder groups are faced with. The Board expects the programme to continue in 2015-16.

The NBA has also continued to win awards for innovation and support of patients in the sector, such as the award on the development of BloodNet interfaces with health provider laboratory information systems. The Board is proud to see the NBA staff recognised for their achievements which also enhance the lives of patients.

2015-16 priorities

The development of the next NBA Corporate Plan 2016-18 will be a major area of interest for the Board in 2015-16. The Corporate Plan identifies key objectives and outcomes required of the organisation over the next three years. A key input to the Plan will be the new JBC Strategic Plan 2016-18 currently under development. We expect that the management of risk and financial sustainability will remain important themes. Specific areas where the Board expects to review and provide input include:

  • improving the supply and demand arrangements for Ig to ensure sustainability
  • further enhancements to data collection and reporting, and associated system development
  • a continued emphasis on implementing improvements for the appropriate use of blood and blood products, particularly in the area of patient blood management.

In closing, I thank my fellow Board members for their contribution over 2014-15. I also offer a special note of appreciation to our two retiring members, Mary Murnane and Stephen Christley, for their significant contributions over an extended period. As the Australian Government representative, Mary brought a wealth of experience to the Board, most notably in her insightful advice in relation to the strategic management of issues. Stephen was a passionate and committed Board member who did an outstanding job, as a concurrent JBC member, in bridging the Board deliberations with those of JBC. We wish them both all the very best in their next endeavours.

On behalf of the Board, I also commend the staff and management of the NBA for another year of hard work and outstanding outcome delivery. The Board continues to be impressed with the professionalism and commitment of the NBA team.

Signature of Gayle Ginnane, Chair at NBA Board

Gayle Ginnane
Chair
National Blood Authority Board