Newsletter Update - as published in the Easingwold Advertiser 22.05.10

The last meeting was a short one to confirm two important matters.  The alternations and forming of a new entrance to the Hospital will (take) start as planned at the end of June; and the Garden Party will take place on Saturday 5th June in the Hospital grounds.  The Town Band will be present and there will be all the usual stalls.  Gifts for the tombola and raffle can be left at the Hospital.

Funds were allocated for the purchase of new flat screen digital television sets for the two main wards as welll as equipment for the physiotheraphy unit.  Donations are still coming in and more promised.  The Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday June 10th when it is hoped as many people as possible will attend.


Newletter Update - as published in the Easingwold Advertiser 03.04.10

The last meeting was a short one but the good news is that planning permission has been obtained and work will start on the palliative care suite and extended entrance canopy in June.  Copies of the plans will be on display in the Library and the Galtres Centre in due course and at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday June 10th, to which everyone is welcome.  The annual accounts will be presented at this meeting.

Nick Eleanor is the Committee's new Secretary (to be confirmed at the next AGM) and Christine Andrew, also our Treasurer, will take on the role of Collections Co-ordinator until arrangements are made to split some of the responsibilities and the possible establishment of a database.  There had been several more donations and with available funds it was agreed to buy four wheelchairs, and two recliner chairs for use of patients.  There is a slim chance, the Garden Party on Saturday June 5th could be postponed owing to the forthcoming building works.  Watch this space; you will be notified after the next meeting and there will be a note to this effect in The Easingwold Advertiser.  It is an important fund-raising event, at the same time maintaining the Hospital's high profile in the town.


Newsletter Update - as published in the Easingwold Advertiser 06.02.10

At a recent meeting of the Friends of St Monica's Hospital it was reported that an independent body known as the Patients & Environment Service had done an inspection of the hospital and the results proved very satisfactory in all areas.  This was warmly received.

After any outstanding expenses had been paid, it was announced that the Christmas Coffee Morning had made £511.  The new table in the dining room had not proved to be very satisfactory and the cost is to be refunded so that a more suitable one can be purchased.

There are two posts vacant on the Committee.  The first is Secretary, which primarily requires attendance at meetings every two months, taking the Minutes and attending to any correspondence.  The second is Co-ordinator of the annual district collection.  More information can be obtained by going to the website:  www.fosmh.org.uk or by ringing the present Secretary on 01347 823622.

A note for your diary:  the summer Garden Party will be held on Saturday June 5th when the Town Band will be present again.


Newsletter Update - as published in the Easingwold Advertiser 10.10.09

At a recent Committee meeting, it was confirmed that permission has been obtained for the Friends to proceed with the funding of two major projects.  One is for a new covered entrance to the hospital and the other the provision of a palliative care suite.  Planning permission has been applied for and when this has been obtained, drawings will be available for inspection in the Galtres Centre and the public library.  There will be a coffee morning for volunteers and collectors on Wednesday October 14th when the Chairman, Barry Sanderson, will give a short talk on these projects.  This is intended as a thank-you to all the helpers but anyone else who is interested in volunary work at the hospital would be most wlecome.

Sister Helen Buck has left to take a secondment elsewhere for a year and a replacement has been appointed.  A "wish list" from the hospital was submitted and more details will be provided when costs have been obtained.

A date for your diaries - next year's Garden Party will be on 5 June 2010, when the Town Band will be invited back again.  In the meantime, there will be the usual Christmas coffee morning on Saturday December 5th including a tombola, raffle, cake & Christmas decorations stalls but more details after the next meeting.

It was also said that (the) Jean Farghar rooms are available for hire but a competitive charge would be made.

The Charity Commissions had accepted and updated our registered details.  A chair made by the "Mouseman" at Kilburn in memory of onetime President Sir Donald Luddington, is to be purchased with the large collection at his funeral in January and it is expected to display and use it in the hospital when it is ready.

The next meeting is in November when there will be another update on our activities and the use of the money donated to assist the hospital.


Newsletter Update - as published in the Easingwold Advertiser 27.06.09

The Annual General Meeting was held on June 11th, and was mostly telling those present what had been achieved in 2008, much of which has been reported monthly in this newspaper.

The Chairman, Barry Sanderson, listed these, which included;  electric profile beds and 12 mattresses, six flat screen TVs, setting up the website, staff computer compatible with the Primary Care Trust network, dining table, ultra sound scanner, couch for treatment room, curtains and tracking, four microwave ovens, thermos jugs, staff changing room lockers (CORRECTION:  This should read patient bedside lockers), telephone and newspapers for patients, increased security, kitchen equipment and extensive work in the garden.

The accounts for 2008 were adopted as well as a new Charter to reflect changes in the charity law and higher standards of 'governance'.

Architects plans for the proposed new covered entrance were discussed and work on the new palliative care suite is progressing the meeting was told.  This will provide accommodation for relations of terminally ill patients to stay in the hospital.

Joan Bottomley is retiring as organiser of the voluntary help, which Sister Helen Buck said was invaluable and much appreciated.  The Executive Committee was re-elected en bloc before the meeting closed.


Newsletter Update - as published in the Easingwold Advertiser 18.04.09

At a well attended meeting recently the Treasurer said the accounts for 2008 were in the process of being audited, but she went on to outline what we might expect them to contain.  The full results will be presented at the AGM in June.

Progress was reported on the various projects for improvements to the hospital, including the new palliative suite.  The bike shed in the car park has been completed and the provision of a warning sign at the end of the drive crossing the pedestrian walk before going onto the main road was discussed and will be assessed.  A new portable ultra sound machine will be provided for the physiotherapy department for use with patients in the community.  A new leaflet to assist patients going into hospital and complementing the existing one will be funded by the Friends.  The charter of the Friends of St Monica's has been updated and will be presented at the AGM and in due course (will) be lodged at the public library.

Arrangements for the Garden Fete on Saturday June 6th were discussed at length.  Prizes for the tombola and raffle can be left at the hospital as well as names of anyone willing to help on the day.  The Town Band will play, cream teas will be served and there will be a large selection of stalls to suit all tastes and purses, as well as the traditional raffle, tombola and bottle stall.

The next meeting is the Annual General Meeting in June.  Everyone is welcome and it is hoped as many people as possible will attend.