Chairman's Report for 2006/07

Delivered at the AGM on Monday 26th March 2007

Madam Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to again welcome you to this the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the League of Friends of Warwick Hospital.

The last twelve months, despite all the speculation on the future of the hospital and its services has again been a very good year as far as fundraising is concerned. Although slightly down compared with the previous year, the public has shown its appreciation of this fine hospital by donations and providing bric-a-brac and books for our two main fund raising outlets. Both of which are run by our dedicated band of volunteers, without whom we could not operate, and to whom I offer my sincere thanks. The bookshop has continued to thrive since it was opened in the autumn of last year.

Since the League was started in 1953, £978,768.00 has been raised, and therefore we hope to break the million pound mark in the forthcoming year ! The Bric-a-Brac shop, situated behind the A & E Department, at the Millers Road entrance has again raised over £10,000 in the year, the fourth year it has reached a five-figure sum since it was established four years ago.

This has enabled us to purchase equipment for the hospital this year totalling £77,074. This has included £40,000 to a Histochemistry System for Pathology, £10,000 for Arthroscopic Scopes for the Surgical Department, and £4,000 for standing hoists for Oken and Guy Wards.

We continue to supply Emergency Courtesy packs for Wards and A&E, given to patients who are admitted un-prepared for a stay. We are supporting the proposed Cancer Unit and the new Paediatric Unit in the coming year, the latter of which the proceeds of our Summer Draw will go to.

Again we are indebted to our Treasurer, Jill Denny and our Independent Examiner, Trevor Wills for the handling of our finances. To Thelma Atkins for assistance in Secretarial duties and Sharon Ellswood, our co-ordinator, who during the limited hours available to her does a marvellous job, which includes the administrative work of the League and also the appointing and placing of volunteers on the wards? This position is very important to the League and the hospital as to be able to liase with various departments in the hospital.

The support we get from the Management of the Trust is greatly appreciated, as is the publicity we receive from the local media and Radio Warneford.

The encouraging news of the retaining of certain services at Warwick Hospital will encourage the League of Friends to continue to work hard for the benefit of both patients and staff at this hospital as it has done for the past fifty-three years.

Roy Joyner

Chairman

26th March 2007.