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NBA Board and Report

The NBA Board was established under Part 3 of the National Blood Authority Act 2003. The Board provides advice to the Chief Executive about the performance of the NBA's functions. It is not a decision making body and has no formal or direct role in the day-to-day management or governance of the NBA. The Board does, however, consider key strategic issues facing the NBA.

The role and responsibilities of the Board fall into three main categories:

  • considering and providing advice on strategic issues and direction
  • helping to ensure effective governance, including providing advice on fraud, audit and risk management and the NBA's financial performance
  • liaising and engaging with stakeholders to strengthen relationships, promote the role of the NBA and contribute to the development of the organisation and the performance of the NBA's functions.

Board Membership

I am pleased to have been appointed as Chair of the NBA Board for a period of four years from 21 March 2019. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the previous NBA Board Chair, Ms Gayle Ginnane, for her significant contributions as the Chair of the NBA Board for the preceding eight years. A number of other Board members have also had their terms extended and the Board now has the following composition:

  • Dr Amanda Rischbieth – Chair from March 2019
  • Mr Geoffrey Bartle – Community Representative
  • Professor Lyn Beazley AO – State and Territory Representative (Small Jurisdiction)
  • Mr Paul Bedbrook – Financial Expert
  • Professor Chris Brook PSM – State and Territory Representative (Large Jurisdiction)
  • Ms Penny Shakespeare – Australian Government Representative
  • Associate Professor Alison Street AO – Public Health Expert

Outgoing member

  • Ms Gayle Ginnane – Chair until March 2019

Year in Review

The NBA Board met four times during 2018-19, and considered a number of significant issues and reports relating to the blood sector and the work of the NBA generally. The Board was able to provide advice to the Chief Executive and NBA across a range of priority business areas including:

  • the emerging dynamics of plasma and immunoglobulin demand and supply
  • the proposed review of the efficiency of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service
  • the work of the Immunoglobulin (Ig) Governance Program, revised Ig access criteria, performance improvement activities and the national implementation of BloodSTAR
  • issues relating to expiring contracts for imported Ig
  • subcutaneous Ig issues
  • haemovigilance activities
  • the development, implementation and funding of the NBA ICT Roadmap for blood sector systems 2018-22
  • clotting factor procurement
  • the continuing implementation of the contract with CSL Behring, including the alignment of manufacturing arrangements by CSL Behring under its 'process migration' program
  • the consideration of new products under the national blood arrangements
  • product utilisation reviews.

The NBA Board received reports from the NBA on progress against strategic and operational plans and provided advice and input to develop future plans, strategies, actions, budgets and organisational arrangements. This work included discussion of:

  • the National Supply Plan and Budget for 2019-20
  • the development and implementation of a new organisational structure for the NBA that was implemented during the year, and associated improvements to NBA governance, lines of accountability and risk management
  • the development of a replacement for the NBA Enterprise Agreement expiring in early 2019
  • the NBA Corporate Plan and Business Plan, future priorities and budget issues
  • the critical importance of the NBA's continuing international engagement.

The Board's engagement with stakeholders during 2018-19, included receiving a valuable presentation from CSL Behring on its activities and operations. The regular joint meeting between the Boards of the NBA and the Blood Service was held in August 2018 in Canberra and discussed the following issues of mutual interest:

  • the Blood Service plasma strategy
  • reviews of the Blood Service under the Deed of Agreement with the NBA
  • the Blood Service research and development program
  • clinical risk management and governance.

The Joint meeting of the NBA and Blood Service Boards

The Joint meeting of the NBA and Blood Service Boards, 30 August 2018.

The Board was also pleased to have an opportunity to visit the pilot plasma collection centre in Canberra. This is a new centre and is one of two pilot facilities funded by governments, with the other being located in Townsville.

NBA Board Members at the Canberra pilot plasma donor centre

NBA Board Members at the Canberra pilot plasma donor centre August 2018.

2019-20 Priorities

The NBA's core focus is to ensure the safe, secure, adequate and affordable supply of blood and blood products and services in Australia. The NBA has done this extremely well since its inception, and the focus of the Board is to therefore continue to support and advise the NBA in achieving this in the most appropriate and effective way.

There are a number of material 'headwinds' emerging in the blood sector during 2019-20 and the Board expects to provide input across a range of important issues relating to the NBA's work program, including:

  • progressing the major review of the Blood Service and the consideration of any issues arising from this
  • the consideration of domestic plasma collection arrangements, the evolving global dynamics affecting Ig supply and demand, and issues relating to the NBA's contracts for imported Ig and associated procurement arrangements
  • national supply and funding issues
  • national risk assessment and management
  • Ig governance performance improvement
  • the continuing development and revision of national guidelines
  • patient blood management, including the potential for international collaboration
  • national supply efficiency and continued efforts to achieve reduced wastage of blood and blood products
  • the funding and implementation of systems to support the work of the NBA and performance improvement in the blood sector
  • research and development issues
  • issues relating to the availability and supply of new products
  • corporate governance and management
  • NBA management and leadership development.

In closing, I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their valuable contributions on all of the matters considered throughout the year. The Board looks forward to adding value to the important work of the NBA in the year ahead and providing support and expert advice to the Chief Executive and the NBA as required.

NBA Board Members

NBA Board Members at 30 June 2019 (L to R) Mr Geoffrey Bartle, Ms Penny Shakespeare, Dr Amanda Rischbieth (Chair),
Mr Paul Bedbrook, Professor Chris Brook PSM, Professor Lyn Beazley AO and Associate Professor Alison Street AO.

Finally, on behalf of the Board, I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary work of all the NBA staff in successfully delivering the Authority's program in 2018-19. I commend them for their professionalism, expertise and high level of service.

signature of Amanda Rischbieth

Amanda Rischbieth
Chair
National Blood Authority Board

Chairing the NBA Advisory Board

Farewell to Ms Gayle Ginnane

The Chief Executive, on behalf of the NBA, farewelled and thanked Ms Gayle Ginnane for her fantastic contribution to the work of the NBA and its management and performance over the last eight years as Chair of the NBA Advisory Board. Ms Ginnane completed her term as Board Chair in March 2019 when a new Chair was appointed by the government.

Ms Ginnane is held in the highest regard by both NBA staff and within the blood sector more generally. Ms Ginnane's advice and guidance to the NBA and, more specifically, to successive NBA Chief Executives, reflected her enormous experience and knowledge in relation to the NBA's work, blood sector and health management issues and in relation to the requirements and practice of good corporate governance and management.

Ms Ginnane was initially appointed as Chair of the NBA Advisory Board in May 2011. Her appointment terms were subsequently extended and enabled her to contribute to and provide advice on a wide range of significant issues. These included:

  • new processing sites for the Blood Service in Sydney and Melbourne
  • new Agreements with the Blood Service and contracts with CSL Behring and other suppliers of blood and blood products and services
  • the acquisition of new products for national supply and the achievement of substantial cost savings and efficiencies from various procurement outcomes and contract management
  • the development and implementation of the Patient Blood Management Guidelines
  • improvements to arrangements for clinical access and appropriate use of Immunoglobulin in Australia
  • the development and implementation of critical national information and management systems to support effective blood sector arrangements and funding
  • the successful implementation of a wastage strategy for fresh blood products
  • the development and implementation of an Immunoglobulin governance program
  • the introduction of an NBA research and development program, which is now into a fourth round

This is by no means an exhaustive list of issues that Gayle has contributed her wisdom and advice to over the years, but provides some indication of the depth and breadth of her contribution. We sincerely thank Gayle for the professionalism, enthusiasm, dedication and wise counsel she has given to the NBA over many years and wish her and her family well for the future.

Welcome to Dr Amanda Rischbieth

Dr Rischbieth was appointed as Chair of the NBA Board in March 2019. Dr Rischbieth brings more than 30 years' experience in health and management roles, including as a CEO, non-executive director and other roles across health care delivery, clinical responsibilities (including critical care), public health, research, ethics and corporate governance.

We welcome Amanda to the NBA and to the challenges of blood sector issues and look forward to working with her and her Board colleagues to address these challenges.

Ms Ginanne, Mr John Cahill and Dr Amanda Rischbieth

L to R: Ms Ginanne, Past Chair NBA Board, Mr John Cahill Chief Executive NBA, Dr Amanda Rischbieth Chair NBA Board.

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