The Friends  of Guy’s Hospital Annual Report 2002

Chairman’s Report

The “Friends” remain as active as ever, both in terms of maintaining the momentum for raising money and responding to worthwhile requests for funding. Notwithstanding a substantial expenditure in the last financial year our finances remain healthy, thanks in part to a very generous contribution from our president, Lord Harris. 

I would like to pay tribute first of all to Jack Rowe, a long-standing executive committee member, on the award of a long service badge by the hospital trust. He joined the Dental School staff in 1950, was appointed Professor in the University of London in 1971, and occupied the post of Dean of the Dental School from 1985 to 1991. For distinguished services to dentistry he was awarded the Colyer gold medal by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1993. Jack has been a conscientious and dedicated supporter of the Friends, and his input on dental matters at our committee meetings has been invaluable. 

In last year’s annual report I mentioned the fact that our President, Lord Harris, was keen to enhance our profile by supporting a project of major clinical significance, something that would captivate the imagination and put us in the spotlight. Four projects were presented for consideration, of which two stood out as meeting this objective, and although the original intention was to back one proposal only, it was Lord Harris who urged the committee to fund both. 

 The first of these, an image guidance system for use in nasal, aural and skull base surgery, was brought to our attention by Professor Michael Gleeson. In essence, computerised information derived from pre-operative scans is interdigitated with the image seen down the surgeon’s microscope so that the precise position of his instruments, in relation to important structures, is defined at any given moment. This system, which is at the cutting edge of the technical armamentarium for base of skull surgery, cost £99,500, half of which was generously donated by Lord Harris. 

It is just such a piece of equipment, utilised by only a very small number of units in the UK, which is likely to attract attention in our bid to raise money for the Friends. We are keen to capitalise on this and one way would be to bring it to the notice of national television, in the hope that a film might be made to extol the virtues of the system, and mention the role of the Friends by way of publicity. 

The second, and equally exciting project presented by Professor Ian Fentiman, is the acquisition of specialised radiotherapy equipment for use intra-operatively immediately after excision of breast cancers. This would save the patient the inconvenience, not to mention discomfort, of multiple radiotherapy sessions following surgery, which is currently the practice. Even more expensive than the image guidance system, its cost will also be shared between Lord Harris and the Friends, but further details will be published in our next annual report, by which time the system, hopefully, will be up and running. 

The “Friends” disbursed £20,000 towards ten research projects at Guy’s, and £2228 for the purchase of a pulse oximeter for postoperative patient monitoring on Patience Ward. We have also agreed to release £3461 to cover the cost of two specialised couches for the Rheumatology department, toys and equipment for the Guy’s nursery, and some of the cost of refurbishing the parent’s room in the paediatric intensive care unit in Caleb ward. 

The automaton, which was conceived as a means of increasing our revenue was planned and created after the publication of our last annual report, and hence would not have come to the previous attention of our members. It features a nurse standing over a patient in bed, with a spoon poised in her outstretched hand, ready to deliver “medicine” into the patient’s mouth. The medication is of course the coins, which are placed by the public into the spoon, and it is the weight of the coins which activates the movement of the spoon to the patient’s mouth where the coins are finally deposited. The most recent pictures of this automaton met with the committee’s approval, and it will not be long before it is installed in the waiting area on the ground floor of the tower block, accompanied by a notice which briefly describes the activities of the Friends and thanks the Charitable Foundation who undertook the project on our behalf and met all the costs. We would like to express our appreciation to Karen Mann for co-ordinating the task and bringing it to fruition, and to the creator of the automaton, Mr Tim Hunkin, for his expertise and hard work. 

The flower shop has seen a resurgence of its fortunes, thanks to Pat Hutton, Carole Tobin and their helpers, and to the diversification of the product range.  In one week in December 2002 the revenue was £1900, and the following week £1600. The profit from letting out the Galleria area to traders, five out of seven days, has also been significant. 

On a slightly more sombre note, our treasurer Jeff Simpson, decided to step down after ten years of loyal service. Jeff has been an invaluable member of the team, not just as financial adviser and husbander of our resources, but as an active participant in all aspects of the Friends’ activities. We are sorry to lose his services as treasurer, but relieved to learn that he will stay on as a regular member of the executive committee. His replacement, Keith Jeremiah, comes to us with an impressive track record. We welcome him warmly, and look forward to a long and happy association with him. 

Thanks are due to many people, and it is not always possible to name everyone. However, I would like to single out those whose paths have crossed mine rather more than usual. Ann Rigby represents the Charitable Foundation on our committee and acts as a minute taker. Her input has been invaluable, and her willingness to explore all avenues by way of resolving problems commendable. Delyth Hay, always highly motivated, remains a dedicated member of our committee and even though now based in Belfast where her husband Rod is Dean of the medical school, manages to keep her finger on the pulse. Peter Hiscock may keep a low profile but his contribution towards the publishing of the annual report and his watching brief on our website is invaluable. Margaret Roberts and Susan Taleghany continue to do good work and keep us abreast of the projects funded by the Voluntary Services. We are grateful to them. Finally, and by no means least, I would like to pay tribute to Pat Hutton, our secretary, and her assistant Carole Tobin. The smooth functioning of the organisation is thanks to them and, on a personal note, I am particularly grateful to Pat for her guidance on some of the trickier issues.

 Omar Shaheen

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Services Branch Report 

This past year we have been fund raising for the Department of Thoracic Surgery here at Guy’s Hospital, the major unit in the South East of England treating lung cancer. Early diagnosis and surgical removal offer the best chance of cure for this dreadful disease, still the commonest cause of death from cancer. 

This unit uses expensive and sophisticated instruments which because of their complexity are very difficult to clean, especially deep inside narrow tubes such as are found in endoscopes. 

They needed an ultrasonic instrument cleaner, a machine which uses ultrasonic shock waves to penetrate deep into the smallest tube or crevice to dislodge material which could contain infective organisms. As everyone knows, infection in hospitals is a major problem in modern medicine. 

We wanted to help the unit to purchase this state of the art equipment and thereby enable them to continue to maintain their leading role in treating lung cancer with greater safety. 

 Our Christmas Fair was held as usual in November in Atrium 1. The Monson School Steel Band were there to play for us. The children were delightful, the sound of their music echoed through the hospital corridors and did much to draw attention to the event. Our loyal band of workers put their best efforts into making a success of the day and our thanks go to them all. 

It was disappointing to have to hold our Fete in the Colonnade once again but the weather was very unsettled. The wind whistled and it felt more like December than May, but everyone persevered determined to make the day successful. Our sincere thanks go to everyone who made a contribution to the event. Those who manned the stalls deserved special mention for their hard work both in preparation and on the day.  

We are committed to perpetuating our fund raising and providing a recreational Library service to the patients and staff of the hospital. We offer our most sincere thanks for the generous donations of toys, books, bric-a-brac, hand made items and unwanted gifts. We would be unable to raise funds without this generosity and sincerely hope that it will continue. 

This year we will be devoting all funds raised to the Orthopaedic Department, we would like to be able to help them purchase a much needed piece of equipment that they would not otherwise have had. We hope that as in the past you will give us your support.

Dates for your diary:

Summer Fete                            last Thursday in May

Christmas Fair                          last Thursday in November

Monthly Stall                           first Thursday of each month

Book Stall                                second Thursday of each month

Margaret Roberts, Chairman Services Branch

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Testimonials thanking The Friends for their contributions

 From

Angela J Nicoll

S.O.D.P

Orthopaedic Theatres

Dear Friends of Guy’s 

I’m just writing to say a tremendous thank you for funding the purchase of the Abbot i-STAT which is a portable blood gas analyser for the major spinal correctional surgery here at Guy’s. 

This essential piece of equipment provides fast accurate blood gas and glucose results in theatre therefore allowing efficient treatment/medication to be given almost immediately. This has greatly assisted the anaesthetists and therefore increased the level of patient care.  

Before we had this piece of equipment delays were incurred with getting up to date blood results from haematology or anaesthetic staff going to Paediatric Russell Brock I.T.U. With fast moving major surgery a lot can happen in a short amount of time particularly with children and adolescents so there is even less room for flexibility. 

So once again, a huge thank you from the spinal anaesthetists, consultant surgeons and the theatre staff. 

Yours sincerely

Angela J Nicoll 

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Executive Committee’s Report of the Activities 

The Executive Committee present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th September 2002.  

Constitution

The Friends of Guys Hospital is a registered Charity number 264150. The Charity was formed by an amalgamation of The Guild of Ex-Patient and Friends of Guy’s Hospital, and Guy’s Hospital Ladies Association, and traces its origin back to 1895. The Charity’s governing documents are its Articles of Constitution. 

Objects  and activities

The Charity provides amenities for patients and staff.  Medical research is also supported and substantial grants are made for works of improvement which benefit patients, staff and visiting relatives.  The Charity is able, from time to time, to purchase medical and surgical equipment which Guy's Hospital is not able to buy from its own budget. The Charity's wholly owned subsidiary, The Friends of Guy's Trading Company Limited, operates a shop in the grounds of Guy's Hospital selling flowers, gifts and sundry items in order to raise funds for the Charity. 

Organisation

The Executive Committee who served during the year are set out in the Charity’s Legal and Administrative Information. Members of the committee are appointed by Executive Committee. At each annual general meeting one third of committee members retire from office and may be reappointed. 

Review of activities

The financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2002 show net outgoing resources of £141,219 (2001 incoming resources £76,253). The relatively large reduction in funds in the current year is due primarily to two Medical grants of £150,000 and £99,500 made in the year. 

Subscriptions and donations amounted to £99,410 (2001 - £51,649). This included £42,000 donated from Lord Harris who intends to fund half the costs of the above medical grants. Members of the Executive Committee would like to express their gratitude to Lord Harris for enabling the Charity to make two such major awards. £15,000 (2001 £10,000) was donated from The Friends of Guy’s Trading Company Limited, the Charity’s subsidiary, which runs the flower shop in the grounds of Guy’s Hospital. During the year the flower shop commenced the sale of second hand clothes which has proved very successful. 

Legacies receivable for the year were £17,250 (2001 - £40,000) and investment and deposit account interest £19,831 (2001 - £27,599).

Reserves policy

The Executive Committee have examined the requirement to maintain unrestricted funds which are the free reserves of the charity. The Executive Committee consider that, given the nature of our work, this should be approximately £400,000, which gives flexibility to make grants while ensuring adequate working capital exists for our support,  management and administration costs. Unrestricted funds were £419,974 at the year end.  

Bankers

National Westminster Bank plc London Bridge Branch, 10 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TT. 

Responsibilities of members of the Executive Committee

The Articles of Constitution requires the members of the Executive Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period.  In preparing those financial statements the members of the Executive Committee are required to: 

• Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
• State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
• Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The members of the Executive Committee are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993.  They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

Chairman

Guy’s Hospital,

St. Thomas Street,

London SE1 9RT                                                                                   

Accounts 

The following pages are taken from the accounts audited by W H Payne and Company of 199 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 OHA, a copy of which is available for inspection upon request to the secretary., and which are also available on the Friends web site  

Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ended 30th September 2002 

Continuing activities               

All income and expenditure is derived from continuing activities 

Total recognised gains and losses 

The Charity has no recognised surpluses other than as detailed above. 

Related party transactions 

Lord Harris of Peckham, the Charity’s President has indicated that he will make donations to the Charity over a period of three years to cover half the cost of two medical grants made in the year.   The grants, totalling £249,500 were included in grant commitments at the year end. 

In the current year donations totalling £42,000 were received from Lord Harris.  No asset has been recorded for the future donations due which will be recorded in the financial statements when received. 

During the year the Charity received a donation of £15,000 from The Friends of Guy’s Trading Company Limited. 

A grant of £5,000 which the Charity made to The Friends of Guy’s Trading Company Limited in the year ended 30th September 2000 was refunded to the Charity in the current year.

Prior period adjustment 

The accounting policy in respect of grants payable has been changed to reflect the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting by Charities”. 

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is conveyed to the recipient.  Grants offers remain payable for one year after the date of the offer.  If grants are not paid in full within that period any undrawn amounts are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities. 

The adoption of this policy requires a prior period adjustment to be made to recognise grant commitments outstanding at the start of the financial year which were not included in grants payable under the old accounting policy. 

The effect of the change in accounting policy on grants has been to reduce grants payable in the year ended 30th September 2001 by £31,392.

Balance Sheet as at 30^th September 2002

 Approved by the committee on 21^st January 2003

 O.H. Shaheen MS, FRCS - Chairman

J.R. Simpson - Treasurer

Non charitable trading activities - net income 

The Charity has a wholly owned subsidiary, The Friends of Guy’s Trading Company Limited, which is incorporated in the UK.  The company runs a shop in the grounds of Guy’s Hospital selling flowers and gifts.  A summary of the company’s trading results and the balance sheet are shown below. 

 Continuing operations

None of the company’s activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial years. 

Total recognised gains and losses

The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the profit or loss for the above two financial years. 

 Individual research, medical committee and amenities grants committed (unutilised / recovered) for the year ended 30th September 2002 are as follows:- Research grants

 Medical grants                   

 Amenities grants 

 Reconciliation of movement in funds 

Guarantees and other financial commitments 

Grant Commitments 

At 30th September 2002, grants totalling £272,773 (2001 - £34,968) had been approved by the Executive Committee but had not been paid out.

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Joining the Friends

 Anyone can join. You do not have to be an ex-patient, although many of our members are.

 The minimum subscription is £5 a year, but extra donations are greatly appreciated and will enable the Charity to continue its good work in supporting the hospital, its patients and staff in so many ways that are not available though the NHS. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to ‘The Friends of Guy’s Hospital’ and sent to

The Secretary,

The Friends of Guy’s Hospital,

Level 2, Thomas Guy House,

Guy’s Hospital,

London,

SE1 9RT.

Information regarding Gift Aid for a minimum period of four years and of Legacies can be obtained from the Secretary as above (Telephone : 020 7407 1058).

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Executive committee who served during the year were

President:

Lord Harris of Peckham 

Vice Presidents: 

 Chairman:

O.H. Shaheen MS FRCS 

Vice Chairman:

M. Watson 

Treasurer:

J.R. Simpson 

Other Members: 

Mrs. A. Franklin co-opted member 

Published by

The Friends of Guy’s Hospital

Level 2, Thomas Guy House

Guy’s Hospital

St. Thomas’ Street

London

SE1 9RT

Charity Registration Number : 264150

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