Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, that the it has implemented a number of initiatives in recent years to improve its human resources, HR, policies. In 2003, a professional organisation was commissioned to review HR structures, policies and procedures. Arising from the review, the IBTS appointed a number of HR professionals including a HR director, employee relations manager and a training and development manager. The review also highlighted a deficiency in policies and procedures and to a great extent this has been addressed with the launch of a HR staff manual in April 2004.

Another initiative was the employee climate survey referred to by the Deputy. This survey of staff attitudes and opinions covered eight subject areas and over 70 issues. The objective of the survey was to identify the strengths, development needs and the areas requiring immediate improvement. The survey was carried out in October 2004. There was a 68% response rate from staff, with half of the respondents adding further comments to the survey forms.

As would be expected with any employee survey, there were positive and negative comments in employees' responses. However, the IBTS was committed to effective and timely follow up to this survey and to taking appropriate measures to deal with the issues highlighted. Accordingly, 14 focus groups were set up, which were led by members of the senior management team with over 60 staff from all grades and locations throughout the organisation participating. These focus groups made 47 recommendations which have been reviewed by a sub group of the senior management team together with members of the IBTS partnership steering group. An action plan has been agreed with the partnership steering group and signed off by the senior management team with set timelines for implementation. The action plan will be monitored on a monthly basis to ensure that the recommendations are being implemented. The IBTS has informed my officials that a copy of the recommendations and action plan will be sent to all staff over the next two weeks.

The results of the survey and the other HR initiatives which I have referred to above will assist the IBTS in meeting the needs and aspirations of employees, giving greater job satisfaction, more thorough communications and reinforcing the belief that they carry out an essential service within the health system.