The Friends  of Guy’s Hospital Annual Report 2003

Chairman’s Report 

I am pleased to report to our members on our activities over the previous year, and to reassure them that we continue to fulfil our objective of serving Guy's. 

The concert organised by the Friends and held at the Royal Academy of Music, on the 23 September 2003, was perhaps the highlight of the year. 

This was the brainchild of Rod Franks, lead trumpeter of the London Symphony Orchestra, who had undergone surgery at the hands of Professor Michael Gleeson and Mr Nick Thomas for the removal of an acoustic neuroma. This was Rod’s way of expressing his appreciation to the surgeons, for not only curing him of his tumour, but also saving his facial nerve, thereby preserving his career.

Colleagues from the L.S.O, the band of the Coldstream Guards, and students of the Academy and other schools of music were to join forces to raise money for both the Friends and the Ronnie Moore Benevolent Fund for musicians. 

The surprise appearance of Sir Colin Davis on the night, who then proceeded to conduct the first half of the concert, added dash to an occasion, which soon took on the semblance of a gala event. The first half of the concert was devoted to Mozart, and the second, to original compositions for brass ensembles, played by the band of the Coldstream Guards. During the interval, a not insignificant sum of money was raised by auctioning off rare musical memorabilia, such as John William’s original score for Star Wars, and the proceeds donated to the Friends. 

The event was well attended, and strongly supported by members of staff, families and friends who were quick to indicate their appreciation. The buzz of excitement continued after the concert, when members of the audience mingled at a buffet supper, made possible by generous sponsorship through the good offices of Dr Tim Mant, Director of the Drug Research Unit. 

In the December edition of the GKT Gazette, a letter and poem by Dr David Tong, a letter from Delyth Hay, and an unsigned editorial all testified to the depth of feeling about this musical extravaganza. 

The total sum of money raised from the Concert, to be shared by the two beneficiaries, was £8,490. Not content with providing us with such a feast of entertainment, Rod has gone out of his way to make a CD, the proceeds of which will go exclusively to the Friends. 

We would like thank him and his fellow musicians for offering us their services free of charge, and equally, the Royal Academy of Music who made available their elegant concert hall, once again free of charge. I would also like to pay tribute to Pat Hutton and Audrey Shaheen, whose efforts behind the scenes, whether by arranging catering, selling publicity, or organising ticket sales, contributed to the concert’s success. 

March 2003, saw the unveiling of the Automaton, which judging from the £5,608 already collected to the end of March 2004 (£3,913 collected to the end Sept) has been viewed by a generous public as a spectacular success. Many congratulations to Tim Hunkin, its designer, and Karen Mann, co-ordinator of the project for bringing it all to fruition, and many thanks also to the Charitable Foundation for funding the Automaton. 

The shop goes from strength to strength, bringing in substantial revenue, and the rental from the Galleria also continues to represent a not insignificant part of our income. 

It is heartening to see the enthusiasm, brought to their work by the ladies who staff the shop; their efforts are greatly appreciated. 

The Christmas Charities event in early December 2003 was held in a festive and light-hearted atmosphere, made all the more enjoyable by carol singers from St Judes School under the tutelage of Jonathon Pix. The ladies normally responsible for the shop were there to man the Friend’s stands, and were ably assisted by other volunteers. Their efforts succeeded in raising the sum of £2,748, which with the promise of a generous donation of £1,500 from the Woolwich branch of Barclays bank brings the total of the takings to £4,248. We would like to thank Derek Freeman for adding to the Christmas ambiance and dispensing largesse to the children in the guise of Father Christmas. Thanks are also due to Terry Strange, Banqueting Manger at Guy’s, for allowing the Charities involved in this event to use the Atrium, and for providing, tea, coffee and mince pies. 

The Dunhill Trust, has been generous with their £2,000 donation to the Friends; we very much appreciate their support, which is invariably put to good use. 

In last years report, I mentioned the Image Guidance System, which had been promised to Professor Michael Gleeson, and was jointly funded by the Friends and our President, acting as an independent contributor. Lord Harris was very keen to view the system in operation, but unable to attend on the appointed day owing to unforeseen circumstances, Lady Harris happily stepped into the breach. The demonstration laid on for the occasion was the removal of nasal polyps under general anaesthetic during which Mr David Roberts, the surgeon, was able to demonstrate very elegantly and convincingly just how this new equipment eliminates the risks currently attendant upon this type of surgery. 

Early in 2003, we were able to write out a cheque for £150,000 for the purchase of specialised radiotherapy equipment to be used by Professor Ian Fentiman in the operating theatre at the time of breast cancer removal. This form of treatment represents a singular advance, in that it saves the patient the burden of having to attend for postoperative radiotherapy. Once again, thanks to Lord Harris, the cost of this equipment was jointly shared, and it goes without saying, that in the absence of his contribution, none of this equipment would have been forthcoming. 

During the last financial year £6,112 was approved for the purchase of 2 volumetric infusion pumps for Dorcas Ward, the objective being to quantify more precisely fluid replacement in patients who have undergone cardiac or thoracic surgery. A request for the purchase of a microscope for endontic work costing £6983 was received from the department of Conservative Dentistry, and approved. The sum of £2,000 was allocated to the Chaplain, Mia Hilborn, to cover the cost of flowers for the Chapel, the bereavement office, and the paediatric mortuary. In keeping with our usual practice of disbursing funds for Research, £20,950 was set aside this time round for this purpose. 

Changed circumstances and the obligation to comply with charitable governance requirements and best practice led the executive committee to take the difficult decision to discontinue the Service Branch in July 2003.  

Readers of the GKT Gazette will have noted in the April 2003 edition a review of the history of the Friends, in which I referred to the Service Branch’s many contributions to Guy’s and those of its predecessor, the Ladies Association. Its endeavours over the years have had a substantial and significant impact on the hospital and the welfare of patients. In past annual reports and also at annual general meetings, I have paid tribute to the Service Branch’s valuable contributions to Guy’s, and once again, I would like to offer our thanks to its members. 

The successful day to day running of the Friends is the result of many individuals pulling together. Keith Jeremiah, has slipped into his post as Treasurer effortlessly, and has proven himself an asset. Anne Rigby, our minute taker and representative from the Charitable Foundation, is as always, a mine of information and approachable for wise counsel. Peter Hiscock, who monitors our website and produces the Annual Report, was most helpful in printing posters for the Concert and the synopsis on the Friends for the Concert programme. 

The ladies who man the shop continue to do stalwart work and the wheels continue to roll however because of Pat Hutton and Carol Tobin who can be relied upon to turn their hand to just about everything, in addition to the usual chores.Their day to day administration, work in the shop, and help in organising the concert are reasons why the Friends can pat themselves on the back. 

There are others who have laboured hard, unseen and have made valuable contributions to the success of the Friends in 2003; their contribution does not go unappreciated. To all, I offer sincere thanks. 

O H Shaheen MS FRCS

Chairman

Why am I telling you this? 

It’s not exactly a secret but those in the know tend not to spread it around.  It is the Friends of Guy’s shop. 

The shop is a real treasure trove for the clothing bargains and is known to my friends, colleagues and family as ‘The Shop’.  I have been able to treat them to some really beautiful clothes and accessories.   Often the clothes are unworn and designer labels are not uncommon.  The clothes range in price from 50 pence (I once bought a Lacroix jacket at this end of the scale, yes sweetie darlings it really is Lacroix) to about £20 for top of the range items, e.g. a genuine Burberry trenchcoat.  Levi 501s, Gap sweaters, M&S separates, etc., generally sell for just a pound or two.  

My own wardrobe has been elevated from frumpiest to funkiest in the Medical School, with the possible exception of Paul the AV Technician.  With prices like these you can afford to be experimental! 

Why are the prices so reasonable?  Turnover needs to be rapid, the shop is only small and receives a large number of donations.  Clothes are also only a part of their business.  The shop sells bouquets, arranged by trained florists; helium balloons; postage stamps; greeting cards; snacks; drinks and chocolates.  It also offers a great little retreat when the computer screen starts to become unbearable.  Pat Hutton and her team always offer a very warm welcome and advice on the clothes.  If you really want to know whether ‘your bum looks big in this’ Irene Minnie is the woman to ask!   

So why would I want to share this valuable secret with you?  The reason is because of the work that the Friends of Guy’s do, providing care and support for the patients, relatives and staff of Guy’s Hospital.  Their work ranges from the purchase of lifesaving equipment to refurbishment of wards, making the hospital a better place to work or stay. 

If you would like to find out more about the work of the Friends or becoming a member (anyone can join) just drop into the shop or e-mail Pat Hutton at Pat.Hutton@gstt.sthames.nhs.uk

Liz Ivory, Assistant Manager, Cyril Chandler Skills Centre

Testimonials thanking The Friends for their contributions 

From Professor Fentiman on The Intrabeam for treatment of Breast Cancer 

The Friends of Guy’s and Lord Harris have jointly provided £150,000 towards the purchase of an intrabeam miniature electron beam driven x-ray source for the Breast unit. This device will be used during surgery in older women with early breast cancer. After the cancer has been removed the device is placed within the cavity and delivers localised radiation to the area around the tumour. 

It is hoped that use of the Intrabeam will be able to replace the time-consuming six weeks of radiotherapy that is at present an essential part of breast conservation treatment. The possibility would therefore exist for an older woman with breast cancer to have the entire treatment given under one general anaesthetic and be able to go home the following day. 

Approximately 40% of patients with breast cancer are aged 70 years at the time of diagnosis and as older women attend the national breast cancer-screening programme, this percentage is likely to increase. There is evidence that nationwide some of these individuals are currently under-treated and as a result suffer a recurrence of breast cancer, which could otherwise have been avoided. A major advance in delivery of radiotherapy could help improve the outcome for older women. 

Ian S Fentiman MD DSc FRCS, Professor of Surgical Oncology

From the Ward Sister, Dorcas Ward, for funds to purchase 2 Infusion Pumps 

I wish to thank the Friends of Guy's Hospital for the kind donation of £6112.26 to purchase 2 Signature Edition Infusion pumps for Dorcas Ward.  Prior to receiving these infusion pumps the ward had no accurate way of delivering intravenous fluids and certain types of drugs to our patients.  If we needed to administer drugs we would have to borrow pumps all of which was time consuming, and problematic, if pumps were not available from other wards. By owning our own infusion pumps it means we can monitor administration of fluids and drugs in an accurate way and ensure no delay in giving treatment to our patients.

Thank you.

Julie Downer, Ward Sister, Dorcas Ward

From a Nurse-Counsellor for Paediatrics for funds for bed linen 

As Nurse-Counsellor for Paediatrics, an aspect of my role is to work with the team of staff in the hospital mortuary, our aim being to provide the best possible environment in which bereaved parents, relatives and friends may visit  their loved ones. In July 2003 The Friends of Guys kindly granted the sum of £250 for the provision of new bed linen for the visiting room in the mortuary, and I have received very positive feedback from the staff since the new linen has been in place. They, and I, would like to say “thank you” to the Friends of Guys for their continuing support.

 Mollie Cook
 

From the Chaplaincy Team, for flowers donated by Friends of Guy’s for Guy’s Chapel, Paediatric Mortuary and Bereavement Office 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Friends of Guy’s for the kind and generous gift of fresh flowers, most particularly to the areas of the Chapel, the Paediatric viewing room, and the Bereavement Office. 

The Chapel is used by a enormous variety of people – those coming in on their way to and from work, those who have heard bad news about themselves or someone they love, those needing space to think, those coming to light a candle as their loved one undergoes surgery, those who have lost someone they love, and those bereaved parents viewing the paediatric memorial book. The beautiful fresh flowers can give a living focus of hope to those who feel in desperate circumstances, something beautiful to concentrate on and try to make some sense of what is happening. 

The Bereavement Room and the Paediatric viewing room used to have silk displays, which had become faded and dirty over the years. Relatives complained that it made them feel worse when coming in after their loved one had died. Very generously, the Friends flower shop bring in a lovely, appropriate bouquet each week. There have been many appreciative comments from relatives and friends – it is a small but very positive way to show the caring face of the Hospital. 

Guy’s has a very high rate of paediatric death – this is due to the difficult and tragic cases that come here and some of the enormously important and pioneering work that takes place within the Trust. The Viewing Room is a special place of saying goodbye – and the beautiful fresh display provided by the Friends Shop is most gratefully appreciated by the families and by all who work with them.  The fragile nature of the flower has a simple poignancy that is universally recognised. 

Each life is indeed a gift

No matter how short, no matter how fragile

Each life is indeed a gift

To be held in our hearts for ever 

(From the cover of our Paediatric memorial services) 

Revd Mia Hilborn, Head of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Team Leader 

Executive Committee’s Report of the Activities 

The Executive Committee are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th September 2003.  

Legal and administrative information set out on the last page forms part of this report. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the full accounts and comply with the Charity’s Articles of Constitution, current statutory requirements and the Statement of Recommended Practice -Accounting and Report by Charities.  

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 2003 show net incoming resources of £102,600 (2002 outgoing resources £141,219).

Subscriptions and donations amounted to £51,914 (2002 - £99,410). £15,000 (2002 £15,000) 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.

Legacies receivable for the year were £80,418 (2002 - £17,250) and investment and deposit account interest £21,190 (2002 - £19,831). 

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 at least £400,000, which gives flexibility to make grants while ensuring adequate working capital exists for our support,  management and administration costs. Unrestricted funds were £509,054 at the year end.  

Investment powers 

Under the Articles of Constitution, the Charity has the power to make any investment which the Executive Committee sees fit. 

Risk management 

The Executive Committee actively review the major risks to which the Charity is exposed on a regular basis and confirm that systems have been established to mitigate those risks. 

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. 

Auditors 

Since the last Annual General Meeting, the charity’s auditors, W.H. Payne & Co. have merged with Wilkins Kennedy. 

A resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting that Wilkins Kennedy be appointed as auditors to the charity for the ensuing year. 

Approved by the Executive Committee and signed on their behalf by:

Chairman

Guy’s Hospital,

St. Thomas Street,

London SE1 9RT

Accounts 

The following pages are taken from the accounts audited by Wilkins Kennedy, Bridge House, London Bridge, SE1 9QR, a copy of which is available for inspection upon request to the secretary. and which are also available on the Friends’ web site (www.friendsofguys.org.uk). 

Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ended 30th September 2003 

 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 indicated in the previous year that he would 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 grants payable last year. Donations totalling £42,000 were received last year and donations totalling £83,000 are expected to be received in the future.   No asset has been recorded for the future donations 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.

Balance Sheet as at 30^th September 2003

Approved by the committee on 15^th January 2004

O.H. Shaheen MS, FRCS - Chairman

K Jeremiah - 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 2003 are as follows:-

Research grants

Oral medicine and pathology                                                                   2,048

Oral medicine and pathology                                                                       136

Paediatric intensive care                                                                            (18)

Chemical pathology                                                                                    (50)

Thoracic research fund                                                                         5,000

Cardiovascular biology                                                                          2,500

Stem cell transplant laboratory                                                             2,500

Rheumatoid arthritis                                                                                 800

Microbiology laboratory                                                                        1,400

Dental biomaterials and prosthodontics                                                 2,500

Biomaterials department                                                                       2,000

Department of palliative care                                                                2,500

Department of craniofacial development                                                2,500

Newcomen child development centre                                                      2,500

Department of urology                                                                           1,500

Department of partnership and planning                                                   250

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                                                                                                      £28,066

Medical Grants

Amenities grants

Amenities grants

Funds

Automaton represents a grant made to the charity by Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Charitable Foundation for the purchase of an automated coin slot donations box for Guy’s Hospital.  The restricted fund reduces annually by the amount of depreciation associated with the asset originally acquired.

Guarantees and other financial commitments

Grant Commitments

At 30th September 2003, grants totalling £41,133 (2002 - £272,773) had been approved by the Executive Committee but had not been paid out.

THE FRIENDS OF GUY'S HOSPITAL

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Executive committee

President:

Lord Harris of Peckham

Vice Presidents:

Chairman:

O.H. Shaheen MS FRCS

Vice Chairman:

M. Watson

Treasurer:

K. M. Jeremiah (Appointed January 2003)

Other Members:

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