WB.15.68.1
WELSH BOARD
OPEN SESSION
Date of meeting:
7 August 2015
Title of Paper:
Minutes of meeting held on 15 May 2015
Presented by:
Board Chair for approval
Is a decision required? Yes
No
The Open session of the RCN Welsh Board was held on Friday 15 May 2015
in the RCN Welsh Board headquarters, Ty Maeth, Cardiff, which commenced
at 13:30.
PRESENT
APOLOGIES
WB.15.68.1
Gaynor Jones
Ann Griffiths
Billy Nichols
Prof Donna Mead,
OBE, OSt.J, FRCN
Gareth Phillips
Jacquelin Davies
Jane Carroll
Kate Parry
Owain Jones
Pamela Parsons
Stewart Attridge
Tamara Morgan
RCN Welsh Board Chair
Mid & West Wales seat
Board member seat
Cwm Taf seat
Christine EdwardsJones
Christine Thomas
Glamorgan seat
Cangen Gogledd Cymru seat
Glamorgan seat
Gwent seat
Vice Chair
Glamorgan seat
Cwm Taf seat
Cardiff seat
Cwm Taf seat
Council Member for Wales
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WB.15.68.1
IN ATTENDANCE
Tina Donnelly, CBE
David Wallace
Alison Davies
Helen Carlyon
Katie Branch
Sally Brockway
Director, RCN Wales/Board Secretary
Associate Director (Employment Relations)
Associate Director (Professional Practice)
Finance & Business Continuity Manager
Complaints, Quality & Admin Services
Manager
Learning & Development Facilitator
Policy & Public Affairs Adviser
Acute Care & Leadership Adviser
PA to Director, RCN Wales/Board
Administrator
Information Specialist for item WB.15.41
Steve Watson
Primary Care & Independent Sector Adviser
Claire Jenkins
Lisa Turnbull
Nicola Davis-Job
Jayne Taylor
OBSERVERS
WB.15.41.1 WELCOME & APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Board Chair welcomed everyone to the Open Session and
gave a special welcome to the observer, Steve Watson, Primary
Care & Independent Sector Adviser.
WB.15.41.2 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
The Chair asked members to declare any possible interests they
may have had with any items on the agenda and none were
reported.
WB.41.3
HISTORICAL ARTEFACTS HELD IN RCN IN WALES
The Board received a presentation on the history of Ty Maeth
and the historical artefacts held in RCN Wales from Sally
Brockway, Information Specialist.
The Board expressed its gratitude to Sally for an excellent and
informative presentation.
WB.41.4
SAFE NURSE STAFFING (WALES) BILL
The Board had agreed that this part of the meeting was filmed
as part of the 50th anniversary of Ty Maeth film.
The Board discussed the progress made on the Safe Nurse
Staffing (Wales) Bill.
The Director informed the Board that the National Assembly for
Wales’ Health & Social Care Committee had considered the
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Safe Nurse Staffing (Wales) Bill Stage 1 and had recommended
that it proceed to Stage 2, subject to amendments, none of
which were considered insurmountable. The Board noted that
Kirsty Williams AM would report to Plenary on 3 June 2015 at
which point there would be a vote to decide whether or not the
bill proceeded.
The Director acknowledged the huge amount of work
undertaken by members and staff on this piece of work and
thanked everyone involved for their hard work. The Director
stated that the report from the Committee had made particular
reference to the Safe Staffing e-petition and the Director gave a
special thanks to Richard Jones for putting his name forward
and enabling this petition to take place.
The Policy & Public Affairs Adviser reminded the Board that the
Liberal Democrats had championed the Bill and Plaid Cymru had
supported it but that Labour and the Conservatives had been
more sceptical about it. Board members were urged to contact
their local AMs to urge them to support the Bill. The Policy &
Public Affairs Adviser offered to forward Board members further
information and a draft letter to send to their AMs.
The Director informed the Board that the RCN had been assured
that the Minister for Health and Social Services was not against
the Bill, however, he had concerns particularly that the financial
assessment in the explanatory memorandum was not sufficiently
robust. The Director stated that there may be an increase in
NHS staffing costs initially but that the Bill should lead to a
reduction in agency costs which would have a beneficial effect
on NHS budgets and patient care.
Board members expressed the view that the legislation should
be extended to cover outpatients, emergency care and the
community. The Policy & Pubic Affairs Adviser informed the
Board that, if the Bill was successful, the RCN could call for
secondary legislation without needing a new Bill to tackle these
other areas.
The Board suggested galvanising the membership via social
media and fliers.
The Director informed the Board that the RCN had been
surprised that the NHS Confederation had not supported the Bill
and reminded the Board that evidence had clearly shown that
there is 26.6% of mortality of patients if the nursing numbers are
not right. The Director stated that one recommendation in the
Bill gave an opportunity for the Bill to cover other areas provided
there is sufficient evidence.
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It was noted that some Board members would be in Cardiff for
an RSDN meeting on 3 June and a request was made for a
further overnight stay to enable Board members to observe
Plenary. The Director stated that the cost of this would need to
be considered.
Action: Further information and template letter that Board
members could send to their AMs to be provided to Board
members.
WB.15.42.1 MINUTES
Minutes of the Board meeting held on Friday 6 February 2015
had been circulated and were confirmed as accurate with the
following exception:
WB.15.17.1 It was noted that the minutes of the Board meeting
held on Friday 7 November 2014 had been circulated and not
the minutes of the Board meeting held on Friday 6 February
2015 as incorrectly stated.
Review of Action Sheet
The actions that had been completed were noted and the
progress on the other actions recorded on the action sheet
attached.
WB.15.42.2 MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
WB.15.43
BOARD CHAIR’S REPORT
A report had been received and was noted.
WB.15.44
DIRECTOR, RCN WALES’ REPORT
A report had been received and was noted.
WB.15.45
STAFFING INFORMATION
A report had been received and was noted.
The Director gave a further verbal update as follows:
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



A Senior Officer has been appointed subject to HR checks.
Gabbie Williams has been appointed as Admin Assistant
within the ER team.
Jessica Davies has returned from maternity leave but would
go on further maternity leave in four months. The Board
noted that because the Welsh Assembly elections are due in
2016, it had been agreed by the Executive Team that Jessica
would not return to her substantive role for 4 months but
would be employed as additional admin support and John
Hoddinott would continue covering the role of
Communications Assistant and Liam Anstey covering the
role of Public Affairs Adviser until Jessica returns from her
second maternity leave.
Clare Jenkins, Learning and Development Facilitator, had
tendered her resignation with effect from 22 June 2015. The
Board was informed that Clare had been appointed as Chief
Officer for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health
Board. The Board thanked Clare for her hard work and
commitment on behalf of the Welsh Board and wished her
well in her future role.
WB.15.46.1 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS)
REPORT
A report had been circulated and was noted.
WB.15.46.2 MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA FOR NURSES WHO ARE
UNDERTAKING RETURN TO PRACTICE
The Associate Director Professional Practice informed the Board
that Chair of MRC had approved the change to allow individuals
on a return to practice course into student membership, effective
immediately.
WB.15.47
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
47.1 Associate Director (Professional Practice) Report
A report had been circulated and was noted.
47.2 Emergency Care Update
The Board received a verbal update from the Associate Director
(Employment Relations) regarding the ongoing concerns with
issues of bullying and harassment in Cardiff and Vale University
Health Board Emergency Care department. The Board noted
that this is being managed on a collective basis and that a
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number of individual members are being supported by the
Employment Relations team. The Board was reminded that the
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board had commissioned an
independent report into the concerns raised with some specified
criteria for timescales and means of reporting. However, the
Board noted that this report should have been available in April
2015 but had not yet been received. The Board was informed
that the Board Chair had written to Maria Battle, Chair of the
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board expressing concern that
the report had not been received and the timescale had not
been met. The letter also sought clarification that the report
would not be redacted or edited before being shared. The
Board will receive a further update at the August meeting.
The Director asked the Board if it would support a Freedom of
Information request being sent to the Health Board should the
report not be shared in full. The Board held a vote and the
results were as follows:
The Board is in favour of sending a Freedom of Information
request to the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
For: 9
Against: 0
Abstain: 2
This vote was carried.
Action: Board to be updated regarding the report into
bullying and harassment in the Cardiff & Vale University
Health Board at the August meeting.
WB.15.48
GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC, POLITICAL AND HEALTH
48.1
Policy & Public Affairs Report
A report had been circulated and was noted.
The Policy & Public Affairs Adviser gave a verbal update as
follows:



Health Professionals Education Investment Review
consultation response would be submitted in week
commencing 18 May 2015.
Public Services Workforce Commission would be part of the
second level Government Bill.
Political Leadership Programme will run in December 2015
and two places are available for Board members.
The Board Chair stated that it was pleasing to see so many MPs
supporting the RCN Wales’ Westminster reception.
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The Director stressed that MPs need to understand that
negative press against nurses impacts on the recruitment and
retention of nurses.
48.2
RCN Congress 21 – 25 June 2015
A report had been circulated and was noted.
The Board received a verbal update from the Associate Director
(Employment Relations) asked Board members to forward any
questions from branches that they would like raised at the CNO
meeting with members.
The Board was grateful to Stewart Attridge for agreeing to
present the following Welsh Board resolution at Congress:
“That this meeting of RCN Congress urges Council to lobby
governments within the UK to take all actions to prepare the UK
health services for the effects of long term climate change.”
Action: Board members to forward questions from
branches to be raised at the CNO meeting with members.
48.3
Time to Care Campaign
A report had been circulated and was noted.
The Policy & Public Affairs Adviser gave a verbal update as
follows:

Preparations for the Welsh elections are underway and the
Time to Care 2016 campaign will be launched at the Senedd
on 22 September 2015. The Board noted that the launch
would coincide with a Board/Activists development day to
ensure members are able to attend the launch.

Members in Wales have been asked to complete an online
survey to assist with the preparation of the RCN Wales
manifesto and this survey will remain open until 30 June
2015. Board members were asked to encourage members
to complete the survey as it was hoped to get at least 1,000
members to respond.
Action: Board members to encourage members to
complete the online survey.
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WB.15.49
REVIEW OF RCN WEBSITE
The Complaints, Quality and Admin Services Manager informed
the Board that the RCN Wales website had been reviewed over
the last couple of months and the content considered as to what
should appear in Welsh.
WB.15.50
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
50.1 Mid and West Wales Healthcare Collaborative
Ann Griffiths informed the Board that the inaugural meeting of
the Mid and West Wales Healthcare Collaborative had been
held in Mychynlleth on 5 May 2015. It was agreed to add
progress on the Mid and West Wales Healthcare Collaborative
as a standing item on the Policy and Public Affairs report.
Action: Progress on the Mid and West Wales Healthcare
Collaborative to be a standing item on the Policy and Public
Affairs report.
50.2 IT Issues
The Director informed the Board that the Business Continuity
Plan had been instigated in Wales on 6 May 2015 as there had
been a major IT failure that had affected the whole of the RCN
UK and had lasted 3 days. The Director assured the Board that
a review of the incident would be undertaken by Steve Cope,
Operational Planning Adviser and a full report submitted to ET
that would then be submitted to Council to ensure that lessons
are learnt. The Director thanked the RCN Wales staff for their
hard work in coping with the IT failure and especially the
secretarial staff in the Directorate office for ensuring the Board
papers were sent out prior to the Board meeting.
50.3 50th Anniversary of Ty Maeth
Jacquelin Davies stated that she was very proud to be an RCN
member and expressed disappointment that the RCN in Wales
had been prevented from inviting a member of the Royal Family
to attend the 50th anniversary of Ty Maeth.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at
16:10pm.
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The Board noted the dates of the next seminar and Board meeting as follows:
Board Development
Session/Induction
Venue:
6 August 2015
RCN Welsh Board, Ty Maeth.
Board Meeting:
Venue:
7 August 2015
RCN Welsh Board, Ty Maeth.
ET: Tina Donnelly, Director, RCN Wales
Email: tina.donnelly@rcn.org.uk
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OPEN SESSION ACTION LIST
Agenda
No.
WB.15.92
Action
Status
GJ
15 May
The Board Chair informed the
Board that this concern had been
raised at Council.
Completed
LT
20 May
TD
7 Aug
Completed
Emergency Care Update
Board to be updated regarding
the report into bullying and
harassment in the Cardiff &
Vale University Health Board at
the August meeting.
WB.15.68.1
Update on Actions
Safe Nurse Staffing (Wales)
Bill
Further information and
template letter that Board
members could send to their
AMs to be provided to Board
members.
WB.15.47.2
Deadline
Welsh Board Elections
The Board Chair to write to the
Chair of Council outlining the
Board’s concerns with regards
to electronic voting at Council.
WB.15.41.4
Designated
People
To receive a verbal update.
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WB.15.68.1
Agenda
No.
WB.15.48.2
Action
Status
Board
members
1 Jun 15
Completed
Board
members
30 Jun 15
Completed
LT
Ongoing
Completed
Mid and West Wales
Healthcare Collaborative
Progress on the Mid and West
Wales Healthcare Collaborative
to be a standing item on the
Policy and Public Affairs report.
WB.15.68.1
Update on Actions
Time to Care
Board members to encourage
members to complete the online
survey.
WB.15.51.1
Deadline
RCN Congress
Board members to forward
questions from branches to be
raised at the CNO meeting with
members.
WB.15.48.3
Designated
People
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