Chairman's Report for 2005/06

Delivered at the AGM on Monday 27th March 2006

Mr Mayor, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am delighted to welcome you all to this the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the League of Friends of Warwick Hospital.

The last twelve months has shown an unprecedented amount, in the history of the League, of monies received. Nearly one quarter of a million pounds. Admittedly the majority of this has come through legacies and donations made to the League. This I feel shows the high esteem that the people of South Warwickshire hold Warwick Hospital in, despite all the speculation as to its future. Since the League was started in 1953, over £950,000 has been raised, and we look forward to reaching the £1,000,000 in the coming year. The main income in fundraising of course comes from the Bric-a-Brac shop, situated behind the A & E Department, and at the Millers Road entrance. Again over £10,000 was raised last year, the third year it has reached a five-figure sum since it was established three years ago. The success of this venture is of course due to the dedication of the twenty odd volunteers who run it, and the members of the public who so kindly donate items for sale in it. We really do appreciate their time given and the public's generosity.

This has enabled us to donate £75,000 towards the cost of building the Discharge Lounge, known as the "League of Friends Suite" which I had the honour of being asked to open in September last year. We have allocated £100,000 to the new Cancer Ward, of which £40,000 has been used to purchase a piece of highly sophisticated diagnostic equipment for the Pathology Department, one of the first in the Midlands. Over £80,000 has been given to purchase various pieces of equipment in the hospital including Emergency Courtesy Packs, given to patients who are admitted un-prepared for a stay, 6 Wheel Chairs, and other much needed items.

I would like to thank our Secretary, Doctor Pat Gilbert, who has had to resign owing to ill health, and to Thelma Manley who has agreed to take over the Secretary's role for the next twelve months. To our Treasurer, Jill Denny for her continued support, and the meticulous handling of our financial affairs and to our Independent Examiner, Trevor Wills for his professional manner in overseeing our accounts. I thank the committee for their support throughout the year, and in particular our co-ordinator, Sharon Elswood, appointed in June last year, who has shown professional expertise in many ways, despite being restricted to only 20 hours per week. It is so important to have a person in this position to liase with the various departments within the hospital. I would like to thank the management of the Hospital Trust for the interest they have showed in our activities and the appreciation that they have expressed on a number of occasions. We look forward to their continued support. We are the envy of other League of Friends in the area.

I thank the media for the coverage that they have given to our events and the publicising of our activities

Roy Joyner - Chairman.

27th March 2005.