NSCRT Fall General Meeting

       November 13/09

     Halifax Marriott Hotel

         Halifax B Room.

      1400 hrs – 1530 hrs

Executive Present: Barb MacDonald, John Cushing, Sarah Boyne, Melini Sutherland, Raj Makkar, Shannon McDonald.

Members Present: Tracy Cushing, Phil Richardson, Patty Winfield, Louanna Bethune, Christine Siteman.

Regrets: Trish Moriarty 

1. The meeting was called to order at 1405.

2. The Spring AGM Minutes of June 13, 2009 were approved without changes.

3. President’s Report - Barb reviewed the document and copies were provided to those members present.

4. Registrar’s Report  - Shannon reviewed the document and copies were provided to those members present.

5. Treasurer’s Report – Trish Moriarty not present, an audited financial statement was circulated to the members present..

6. Committee Reports

      Credentials –  Melini Sutherland (Vice Chair), reviewed the report, copies      were provided to those members present.

      Professional Practice –  Shannon reviewed the report, copies were     provided to those members present. Rob Martell, Chair was not present. 

      Complaints – There was no report to distribute. 

 Special Business 

7. Items

           Pandemic Plan – The Board felt it necessary to have a pandemic plan            established for the College. An ad hoc committee was established led by    Shannon and included John and Sarah. A draft document was established and was presented by Shannon. This document still needs to be approved     by the NSCRT Board.  

            Patty Winfield commented on the current pandemic situation and how             much information is out there regarding the use of PPE and N95 masks.             Each province has legislation on the use of this equipment, as well each       institution may have established guidelines. It was emphasized that our             members need to protect themselves and have the right to wear such equipment. 

            Louanna Bethune emphasized that an RT can refuse to work in an       unfamiliar area if they feel they are not qualified. Our members need to     work within their scope of competency. 

            A communiqué which was released by The National Alliance of            Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies titled “ Safe and Effective   Respiratory Therapy Services A Priority During Second Wave of H1N1             Influenza A” was reviewed. A discussion from those present ensued. 

            HRSDC – Barb briefly discussed the recent grant approval. 

            NCP Progress – Barb briefly discussed the ongoing work to develop a           new NCP. 

            Website Direction – The group discussed this issue in terms of how they        feel the website should be used etc. Should the site be used as our          primary communication tool, how much money should be invested to keep it updated, who will update it etc. Perhaps a member could volunteer to           manage the website in conjunction with Pathfinders.  

8. Roudtable Discussion / Questions

            The NSCRT is looking for a replacement for a Director - at - Large on the       Board. Interested members should forward a letter of intent to Barb            MacDonald ASAP. 

            Both Raj and Patty commented on the ongoing planning by RT managers       and provincial representatives in regard to the H1N1 pandemic 

9. The meeting was adjourned at 1535.

Respectfully submitted,

John Cushing                         Barb MacDonald

Director at Large                    President-NSCRT