Trust says thanks for donations

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust received nearly half a million pounds through donations to its registered charity during the last financial year, 2009/10.

The Trust which runs Rochdale Infirmary, Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital and services at Birch Hill operates a registered charity and fundraising arm called The Pennine Acute Hospitals Charity.

People and organisations make donations to the Trust’s charity for many different reasons. Sometimes it is to thank staff for the treatment to them or their family or relatives, sometimes to support a service or department generally, and sometimes to help remember a relative who worked for or was associated to the Trust.

Of the £585,000 in total income the charity received last year, £414,000 was through donations, £52,000 through legacies, and £119,000 through investment income.

Last year the charity spent £661,000 on patients’ amenities, staff education and welfare and research. The majority of expenditure has been spent on medical equipment for a range of wards and departments across all the Trust’s hospitals.

The Charitable Funds Annual Accounts and Annual Report 2009/10 were approved by the Trust’s Endowment Committee on 13 September 2010.

Trust Chairman, John Jesky, thanked local charities, staff, patients and the public for donating and raising so much money over the past year. He said: “I would like to thank everyone for the generous donations received over the last year and the charitable work undertaken by all individuals and organisations. Charitable donations contribute greatly, enhancing the services that we provide.

“Whether it is £1 or £1,000 that is donated to us, each penny is gratefully received and it is put to good use. The money is spent on patients’ expenditure, which provides equipment or services in addition to normal NHS provision; staff expenditure which provides services that improve staff wellbeing, our hospitals arts programme or medical research.”

At the Rochdale Infirmary lots of charity work has taken place.

Rochdale Infirmary’s coronary care unit continues to be supported by the Rochdale Heartbeat Appeal; a local company has also supported the unit by holding a fundraising event on its behalf. The Alan Bracewell Big Band kindly donated their time to entertain at a charity dance night, raising much needed funds for the Trust wide upper GI (Gastro-intestinal) nurses’ fund.

The Think Floyd appeal at Rochdale has been greatly supported by local clubs and organisations during the year and received a generous donation from the Rochdale Infirmary Players. The appeal has purchased items of equipment for the Floyd unit at Birch Hill Hospital and is currently obtaining information and prices to refurbish the courtyard area for patients’ use.