The QNIS Council meets quarterly – decisions reached at each meeting are recorded below. The decision number identifies the item number on the agenda.
#16a Trustees agreed to support the employment of an additional full-time administrator whose primary focus would be to support the QN programmes.
#16b Trustees agreed to support Jonathan Sher’s employment as Deputy Director for a further seven months until the end of March 2021.
#17 Trustees agreed that a substantive Associate Nurse Director (title to be agreed) post is advertised to start from September 2020.
#18 Council agreed that QNIS’ proactive policy priorities for 2020 should be Community Children’s Nursing (future workforce), Psychological Trauma (Toxic Stress) and Preconception Health and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
#19 It was agreed that, with the caveat that the 2020/21 budget is approved, QNIS would contribute up to £15k to sponsor the poetry anthology.
#21 2020/21 operational plan approved.
#22a 1.6% CoL uplift approved.
#22b 2020/21 budget approved.
#23 Trustees approved the appointment of Whitelaw Wells as auditors for 2020.
#9 Council approved trustees’ annual report and accounts subject to changes to table 4.
#14 Banking arrangements to be reviewed.
#15a Two trustee vacancies to be advertised.
#13 Trustees agreed a refurbishment budget for 32/2 Castle Terrace and that a small subgroup should be formed to make timely decisions regarding the property
#14 Community midwives should continue to be included in the remit of QNIS with the caveat that QNIS will not make a separate award of Queen’s Midwife. Any practitioner providing the majority of their care in a community setting will be eligible to apply for long-service awards.
#19a: QNIS should become a signatory to a Scottish campaign for limiting exposure to alcohol marketing for children and under-age young people.
#9 Council approved 2019/20 operational plan.
#10 Council agreed annual awards dinner should go ahead but guests should purchase all beverages except the welcome drink.
#13 Council agreed a move to twice yearly staff governance meetings.
#19 Acceptance and refusal of donations policy approved.
#9 Council approved 2019/20 operational plan.
#10 Council agreed annual awards dinner should go ahead but guests should purchase all beverages except the welcome drink.
#13 Council agreed a move to twice yearly staff governance meetings.
#19 Acceptance and refusal of donations policy approved.
#7 Council approved annual review guidance for Trustees.
#15a Funding for 2019 Queen’s Nurse programme to be underwritten from QNIS reserves if necessary.
#15b Council approved consultation with a fundraiser for advice initially.
#16 Council approved the commencement of the process to appoint a Deputy Director on a secondment basis or fixed term contract for two years.
#10 Risk will be added as a standing item to all advisory groups’ agendas to ensure any risks flagged up are captured on the Institute’s risk register.
#12 QNIS should remain coupled to EVH salary negotiations.
#13 Council approved the business continuity plan with a caveat
#13 4x salary life cover should be offered as a staff benefit to attract and retain staff. Aviva has provided the most competitive quote via our insurance brokers.
#14 QNIS will obtain a PRS licence.
#6 Annual Accounts were approved.
#12 It was agreed that QNIS would not proceed with IIP accreditation at this time.
#16 Council agreed the need for a database and approved the budget.
#5b A Governance group for the QNIS Chair consisting of CC plus a Trustee, Ian Murray and Catriona Kennedy is sufficient at present and will be reviewed when the Observatory is more developed.
#18 Three new Fellowships have been agreed: QNIS Fellows, Associate Fellows and Honorary Fellows. Fellowship Awards will take place at the Annual Awards Dinner in December.