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The Friends of Guy’s Hospital Annual Report 2004
As we look back on the events of the last year, I believe the ‘Friends’ can derive much satisfaction from a number of significant achievements, as well as the expectation of important and exciting new developments in the offing. These feelings are however tinged with not a little disappointment and sadness, in the first instance over the last minute cancellation of the November concert, and in the second, the loss of a devoted supporter in Mrs. Betty Cooper, MBE. Betty Cooper, who died aged 93, became a member of the Ladies Association as early as 1969, and when this charitable organisation merged with the League of Ex-patients to become the ‘Friends’, her involvement with the hospital continued both as a volunteer with the trolley service which catered to the needs of patients on the wards, and as a helper in the shop. In this latter capacity, she would bring in flowers and greenery with her and assist in the preparation of floral arrangements, a service which she continued to perform right up to three months before her death. Her election as a Vice-President testified not only to her devoted service as a volunteer, but also her lifelong interest in and attachment to the ‘Friends’, a feature of which was her invariable attendance at the AGM. A generous benefactor, she left us £50,000 in her will for which we are deeply appreciative. Following on from the highly successful concert at the Royal Academy of Music in September 2003, Rod Franks the lead trumpeter of the LSO and now one of our Vice-presidents, was keen to arrange a sequel, on this occasion at the Greenwood Theatre. Sir Graeme Catto very graciously waived the charges for the hire of the auditorium, as did Martin Harvey for the cost of cleaning. Similarly Southwark Council agreed to dispense with the charges for an extended entertainment licence, and Peter Hiscock very kindly printed out the tickets, all of which meant that we were looking to stage the event for next to nothing in the way of expenditure. We had reached the point of sending out notices to all departments and staff members, when we were obliged to call a halt to proceedings, as one by one, Rod’s colleagues began to pull out because of changed circumstances, namely the cancellation of the LSO’s summer tour to the USA, which caused them to start looking for alternative bookings. Rod, as can be expected, was extremely disappointed, but has resolved to make up for the cancellation by staging a musical event with the help of others and with the backing of Yamaha in Greenwich Park sometime next July, half of the proceeds to be donated to the ‘Friends’. I should also say that through the sale of his CD “Saving Face” and a gig which he performed with colleagues in a North London pub, Rod has donated £1350 to the ‘Friends’. We are beholden to his generosity. Plans for the reconstruction of the present shop are timely, given the state of disrepair and dilapidation of the premises, not to mention the leaking roof. The Pool of London together with the Trust are jointly engaged in what can best be described as the gentrification of Great Maze Pond and embellishment of the boiler house, and as the shop encroaches on the pavement of Great Maze Pond, overtures have been made by them to relocate us. A suitable site has been offered on the opposite side of Great Maze Pond, adjacent to the Radiotherapy building which is situated at the South end of the approach to the tower entrance. A single storey building, customised to our needs, will be built on this site, 44% of the cost to be met by the ‘Friends’, and the rest shared jointly between the Pool of London and the Trust. If the proceeds are anything to go by, the ‘Friends’ part in the annual Charities Christmas Fair was a great success, the items contributing to the £5069 raised being the £10 and £ 1 raffles, sales from the stalls, and the doll’s house. Pat Hutton pursued countless organisations relentlessly in search of worthwhile prizes for the raffles, and deserves hearty congratulations, together with helpers Carol Tobin and the ladies from the shop. If this figure is increased by a contribution from the Woolwich branch of Barclay’s bank, as happened last year, it will be an all time record for the ‘Friends’ Christmas event. The ‘Friends’ are currently exploring the possibility of increasing revenue by collecting used ink-jet and laser cartridges and passing them on to a firm which reconditions them, in return for a fee. If the project gets off the ground and we are able to collect cartridges from multiple sources, we should be able to raise a not insignificant sum of money. To this end, I have contacted a number of departments, with so far only a modest degree of success, part of the problem being to persuade PAs to remember to save their cartridges, and also to agree on a procedure for delivery or collection. We are keen to enlist the help of a volunteer who would be prepared to do the rounds once a month with a trolley and collect cartridges on our behalf. Thanks to the cooperation of Mr. John Reay, director of the London Bridge Hospital ,we have been collecting cartridges from this source, and have already received some cheques from the firm responsible for reconditioning the cartridges. The sales from the shop and rental from the Galleria continue to provide us with a continuous and steady source of revenue, as does the automaton, albeit on a lesser scale. Apart from the sum of money left us by Betty Cooper, there have been in the last twelve months two other legacies for which we are equally appreciative. We remain indebted to the Dunhill Trust who once again have donated £2000, the sum to be set against a specific project or item, and grateful also to the many benefactors who contribute sums of money, large and small. On the disbursement front, readers will remember that the ‘Friends’ provided Professor Ian Fentiman with £150,000 for the purchase of radiotherapy equipment which would be used concurrently with breast cancer excision, and would thus save the patients the discomfort and tedium of postoperative irradiation. The cost to our exchequer would eventually be 50% of this sum, as our president Lord Harris very generously offered to halve the expenditure, once the treatment was up and running. I am now reliably informed by Professor Fentiman that he has resolved the issue of financing a physicist to supervise the use of the equipment, and will therefore be in a position to employ it in the not too distant future. The ‘Friends donated £28,747 to the Dental Institute for the creation of a new clinical skills room on floor 20 of the tower block, which would incorporate state of the art radiographic imaging simulation facilities. In keeping with previous years, £20,000 was disbursed for research projects within the hospital, approval of individual programs having been gained from a scientific committee under the aegis of the Charitable Foundation. The Anaesthetic Department received £12,500 for the purchase of a Doppler oesophageal probe to monitor the haemodynamics of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, especially paediatric cases. The ‘Friends’ donated £4170 to the Radiotherapy Department to upgrade patient and staff facilities, and £1202 to the Guy’s Nursery for the purchase of toys. The Haematology Department received £190 for the purchase of cancer back-up information files, and in the same vein, the Dietetic Department were able to purchase a pictorial guide for patients, from a donation of £350. The department responsible for Palliative Care received £446 for the purchase of play materials for children, and £2000 went towards the provision of flowers in the chapel, at the request of Mia Hilborn, the chaplain. I am always conscious of the efforts of those who contribute to the successful running of the ‘Friends’, and it is therefore a pleasure to highlight their roles. I offer my appreciation to Keith Jeremiah, who as treasurer has tirelessly monitored our financial affairs with great diligence, and who always makes me feel that I can turn to him for advice. Because of her vast experience in matters charitable, Anne Rigby our minute taker, is another person I can turn to when faced with a quandary. She is currently engaged in amending the articles of the constitution, a thankless task, and we are grateful to her for all the hard work she puts into the ‘Friends’. Peter Hiscock is a fund of information and always ready to lend a hand when asked; his help with ticketing for the concert, manning our website, and overseeing the production of the annual report is much valued. The ladies in the shop continue their splendid work on our behalf, and their efforts are greatly appreciated. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Pat Hutton and Carole Tobin who are responsible for the day to day running of the ‘Friends’, but who do a great deal above and beyond the call of duty, to make it the smooth operation that it is. To them and to others whose names I have not mentioned I offer sincere thanks. O.H.Shaheen, MS., FRCS. Chairman
An article received from Brian Court Mappin., a local resident
As a regular customer in the Friends of Guy's Charity Shop, I would very much like to say what a blessing it is. Socially, the lady helpers, especially the charming two on duty first thing in the morning when I usually visit, are always affable, helpful and heralds of a good day.
As a retired city man, (now doing voluntary work in Southwark Cathedral) the shop is a real boon because I am no longer able to indulge in the same extravagances as when I was a broker. However, owing to your shop I am still smart, warm, and well satisfied.
I see the ladies often help in giving people directions. A great help in a place a big and varied as Guy's, moreover, the Charity shop is an asset to the Hospital and public generally. So thank you, Ladies.
Yours truly Brian Court Mappin From the Chaplaincy Team, for flowers donated by Friends of Guy’s for Guy’s Chapel, Paediatric Mortuary and Bereavement Office
The Friends of Guy's Hospital have generously given money to the Chaplaincy for the beautiful flowers in the Chapel - providing a place of tranquillity and peace during a time when relatives and friends are deeply distressed and in need of an oasis of calm. The simple act of providing fresh flowers shows that someone has cared.
The Friends also graciously provide flowers for the paediatric bereavement room, when parents who have lost their child can come and say a last farewell. We used to provide artificial flowers, lovely in their own way - but over time, they fade and gather dust - no matter how diligent you are. Parents complained that these flowers were really not appropriate, and they had to be removed. The fresh flowers here, and in the Bereavement Office, mean that at these devastating times of sadness, parents and families feel that someone cares even after the death of someone special.
The Chaplains are extremely grateful for the kindness of the Friends both for the money for the flowers, and for the shop who weekly make up such beautiful displays. It means so much to people in ways you will never know.
Revd Mia Hilborn Head of Spiritual Healthcare and Chaplaincy Team Leader Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust Lambeth Palace Road London SE1 7EH Tel: 020 7188 1187 From the Department of Dental Radiology, about equipment funded by The Friends for the Radiology Skills Room
Last summer the Friends of Guy’s Hospital gave Professor Nairn Wilson, Dean and Head of School, GKT Dental Institute a generous grant on behalf of the Department of Dental Radiology. The grant was to equip and furnish a new dedicated clinical teaching facility which would improve patient services by taking clinical training out of the Dental X-Ray Department.
A room was allocated to the Department of Dental Radiology in the new Clinical Skills Facility which opened in the Dental Hospital in September 2004. The room has two cubicles with dental x-ray units and tutorial space for up to 8 students with interactive whiteboard and data projector.
The Friends grant funded the dental x-ray units, x-ray film viewers, all the film holders and accessories required for intra-oral radiography and two laptop computers. It also enabled us to purchase a digital imaging system, the latest in dental x-ray technology where images are transmitted from sensors placed in the mouth directly to a laptop computer. Digital imaging is the future in radiology and thanks to the generosity of the Friends we are now able to teach our students to use this exciting new technology.
The Department of Dental Radiology provides diagnostic imaging services for the GKT Dental Institute and GSTT and education and practical training in dental radiology and radiographic techniques for undergraduate and post graduate students of dentistry and radiography. Just about every patient who attends the Dental Hospital will be x-rayed at some time during their treatment, most of them by students under supervision. Before students are allowed to work with patients they are taught intra-oral radiographic techniques, where films are placed inside the patient’s mouth, on “Dental Phantom Heads”. The department did not originally have any dedicated teaching facilities so two of the four x-ray units used for patients had to be used for phantom head training and student films were processed alongside patient films. During these training sessions the quality of the clinical service was diminished as patients often had to wait longer for x-ray examinations and for films to be processed. The new teaching facility ensures patient service is no longer compromised.
The Radiology Skills Room provides an excellent learning and teaching environment and it constitutes the biggest improvement in Dental Radiology facilities and working conditions in 25 years. We are all immensely grateful to the Friends of Guy’s for helping us to improve patient services, student education and our working environment.
Nadine White DCR(R) DipHSM Superintendent Radiographer, Department of Dental Radiology
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 2004.
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 2004 show net incoming resources of £134,073 (2003 incoming resources £102,600).
Subscriptions and donations amounted to £50,120 (2003 - £51,914). £15,000 (2003 £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 £155,706 (2003 - £80,418) and investment and deposit account interest £19,582 (2003 - £21,190).
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 £646,507 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:
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
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
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 2004
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
Donations totalling £42,000 were received in 2002 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.
Balance Sheet as at 30th September 2004
Approved by the committee on 21st January 2005
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 2004 are as follows:-
Research grants
Medical 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.
Breast Cancer Fund relates to a donation received by the Charity specifically for the Breast Cancer Unit of Guy’s Hospital. The money was donated to the Unit in the year
Grant Commitments
At 30th September 2004, grants totalling £39,947 (2003 - £41,133) had been approved by the Executive Committee but had not been paid out.
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 and Legacies can be obtained from the Secretary as above (Telephone : 020 7407 1058 or 020 7188 2465).
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
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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