Mrs Baird referred members to the Board Assurance
Framework October 2011 which was presented at the
November Trust Board.
Professor Whittington invited members to review the
document and comments were made as follows:
• Members noted the lack of assurance in relation to
adequate nurse staffing levels. It was noted that the
Director of Nursing had initiated a review of nurse
staffing levels. It was also noted that the Public
Health Agency were carrying out longer term regional
work on nurse staffing ratios in Trust’s hospitals.
• It was noted that considerable work was ongoing with
regard to aseptic techniques for peripheral lines to
reduce the number of cases of MRSA bacteraemia.
• Members discussed the risk relating to
commissioning and managing services purchased
from third party providers. The recent Public Interest
Report from the Northern Ireland Audit Office was
discussed and it was noted that this report focused
on service contracts. Mrs McKeown agreed to share
this report with members.