CHAIRMANS  REPORT  2009     

Having served as your Chairman for three years, and before that on the committee I shall be handing over the reins at the AGM on 16 February 2010. My path has been smoothed and all of the things the Friends of Wistaria Surgery have achieved in the past three years, have been made possible by the wonderful support I have received from your committee and that they in their turn have received from you, the members. My sincere thanks to you all.

Looking back through our quarterly newsletters for the past year, it is clear that our monthly coffee mornings are expanding both in content and popularity. Our thanks go to Eleanor Hanvey and all her helpers. Also to Neville Lewcock who volunteered to assist her in finding speakers; and what an extraordinary range of speakers he has found.  From Hearing Dogs to Collecting Fans, from Cruse to Police, the list is full of interest. And what is more he has succeeded in having many of the talks written up in the Lymington Times.  If there is a topic you would like to see covered do let Neville know. Very well done Neville.

For several years we have helped the surgery staff with the organisation of the Flu Clinics.  Once again the clinics proved to be a model of efficiency; and this year we extended the range into Swine Flu clinics. Many thanks to Jill Lindermere, and all the many helpers who managed so well.

Sharing a meal is a good way to make new friends, so I was particularly pleased at the success of the plate supper in the early part of the year.  Later we had another lovely lunch party at Solent Reach.   Our thanks go to Mike and Sheila Griffiths for the use of their garden, and to Marie Mudie, and all her helpers who do so much making delicious dishes, setting out tables and chairs and serving food at these and other functions too numerous to mention.

A special treat this year was a visit to view the garden at Highgrove, the home of His Royal Highness, Prince Charles. The opportunity arose as the result of an initiative by Susan Antonio, and some twenty two Friends very much enjoyed the two and a half hour guided tour. We saw numerous statues, ornate flowerpots, a variety of ferns and even piles of tree roots all arranged in individual gardens each with their own unique entrance gates. It is hoped that there will an opportunity for a Spring visit. Thank you Susan, and to Marie who organised the bus for our early morning start.

Our constitution asks us to work at preserving and protecting the health of patients by means of lectures and leaflets. This year we had a stimulating talk on hips and knees given by Rob Middleton  who exhorted us to help ourselves by continuing to take low impact exercise and another on Alzheimer's and Dementia. Another way of sharing information is through the Doctor Wistar column in the newsletter which is usually written for us by members of the surgery. Thank you Dr Wistar.

The newsletter is of course a major means of communication with the members. A big thank you to Christine Jackson who as Editor does such a wonderful job collecting, and frequently writing the many interesting reports. She also makes sure that the information is passed on to the many additional helpers who organise the layout of the pages, arrange the printing and then the distribution of the Newsletter.

A core activity of the work of the Friends is our Befriending Service which is headed by Christine Jackson. At any one time our trained Befrienders are visiting and assisting upwards of fifteen people in the community, who are in some sort of need, perhaps as the result of bereavement or may be following an operation.  Potential clients are generally but not always, referred by the surgery, and our coordinators make the appropriate introductions.  This is a hugely valued activity which was originally brought to our notice by the Nurses, when they found that their work load meant that they were less able to visit people in their own homes. My deepest thanks to Christine and coordinators Susan Antonio and Gill Taunt, and to all the others who are involved

All of the above activities are either self financing or paid for by our subscriptions and fund raising activities.  In addition we have been able to buy a wide selection of equipment for the surgery while at the same time putting aside, year by year, a sum as reserve in order that should the opportunity arise we would be in a position to consider a major capital purchase.

This year we have purchased equipment for the minor operations room, and seven higher seating chairs for the waiting rooms specially requested for use by those who find it difficult to get up from a lower chair. We also purchased a large fridge for keeping vaccines which has proved most useful for storing the regular flu vaccines together with the additional requirements imposed by the Swine Flu vaccinations. 

We have been supporting financially an ongoing project organised by the practice manager in conjunction with pupils and  art teacher from Priestlands School, involving the painting of a mural on a wall of the of the Health Education room where young Mum's bring their babies for regular health checks. We expect that what was a rather dark room will, when it is completed with new brightly coloured chairs, be much more friendly. 
           
After many years of involvement with the Friends of Wistaria, Joan Grant is handing over her role as coordinator for the dedicated individuals who maintain the surgery gardens. Thank you Joan, and all your gardeners, who have helped to keep the beds in good order.  Tony Harris has agreed to continue the work and if anyone can spare some time to help please call him.  01590 672304

Finally, my thanks go to Gordon Antonio our Secretary, and Roger Snell our Treasurer, two members of the committee who have worked quietly and efficiently throughout the whole year. Also Ian Kyd who has been the inspiration behind the Touch Lamps which have proved so popular with so many members.  Ian has sold well over fifty touch lamps, and would be pleased to hear from anyone who would still like to buy a lamp.  Ian joined the committee earlier in the year and I was sorry when he asked me to accept his resignation due to pressure of his commitments.

There was one other major financial event in 2009. We received a letter from a firm of Lymington solicitors advising us that the Friends of Wistaria Surgery were named joint beneficiaries in the will of a local resident who had died. We have now received a total of £42,000 which has transformed our finances, and carries a heavy responsibility to see that the money is spent wisely. (more details in the accounts)

We will not rush to spend the money, nor is it our intention to abandon fund raising. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to extend the work of the Friends and have opened discussions with the Doctors and are looking at other opportunities.

If you have any questions or ideas, or would like to become more directly involved with the Friends such as standing for the committee please let me or a committee member know.  A note in the Friends post box at the Surgery is a good way.

Meanwhile I leave an organisation which I believe to be in great heart, and financially strong.  I wish you all a great year in 2010, and many more to follow.

Richard Webb
Chairman.