Sheffield Open Heart Club
News Events and Reminders
Annual General Meeting held at the Niagara Centre on 13 July 2009
The committee elected for 2009-2010:-
Chairman – Susan Inglis
Treasurer/General Secretary – Stuart White
Membership Secretary – Bill Gower
Volunteer Coordinator – Eric Copley (co-opted onto the committee 02/09/09)
General Members – Alison Brown, Tony Mallinder, John Clarke, Ruth Preston, and Sally Huckle.
There continue to be vacancies for General Members.
This was the first AGM at the Niagara Centre and Sue Inglis (Chairman) hoped that everyone has found the new venue comfortable. She explained the move came at the right time as the Companions club closed 3 weeks afterwards. Sue gave feedback that the no smoking policy at the hospital has been under review by the Hospital Trust and a number of smoking shelters have been approved around the grounds. There was general discussion about this and how to discourage smoking in the hospital, particularly around Chesterman. Consultant surgeon Mr Briffa is underway with his pilot research into vein harvesting and Sue hopes to invite him to attend a Shoc meeting to talk about his findings.
There was a robust discussion from the floor following (Treasurer) Stuart White’s report and the need for suggestions for donations given that the funds continue to be in a healthy position. Sue emphasized that the primary aim of Shoc was to support patients pre and post op and that fundraising has always been a secondary activity. All suggestions for donations are scrutinized by the committee in accordance with Shoc rules and this should continue to be the case. The accounts were audited this year by accountant Robert Tippett.
In her report Sue gave an overview of the activities of Shoc during the year. Donations to the Chesterman Unit have included 4 Anatome chairs plus other smaller requests from the cardiac unit. There was only one coach trip this year due to less numbers on the trips; however it was an excellent day to Bridlington arranged by Bill Gower. Also she was pleased that the Fun Day and tombola had generated much interest about the purpose of Shoc. Sue remarked that she made “no bones” that the most important function of Shoc was the volunteer service and the support they gave to patients and relatives undergoing surgery. She thanked the volunteers for their excellent work both on the wards and with the Pre Op Education sessions which were now an integral part of the service provided by the unit for cardiac surgery patients. Sue paid tribute to Bill Staniland who had announced his resignation from the post as Volunteer Coordinator. Finally she thanked everyone for their part in the running of the club and making it work.
