UK National Kidney Federation

MINUTES OF THE 21st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

HELD AT

THE GOVERNOR’S HALL, ST THOMAS’ HOSPITAL, LONDON

ON
SATURDAY 25 MARCH 2000 AT 1.30 PM.

A minutes silence was observed to remember Bruce Davis, a member of the Executive for 7 years, who had died on 10 March and Hazel Fletcher, NWKPA who had died recently.

313
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Alwyn Ashfield (Shropshire & Mid-Wales) Helen Atakan (Cumbria), David Benoliel (Six Counties) Dennis Crane (NWRKPA), Garfield Dullam (Exeter), Max Gabe-Wilkinson (KRUF), Lawrence Keogh (Independent), Eileen Parker (Hammersmith), David Poulter (St Mary’s), Derek Robinson (LGI),  Lilian Rutherford, Val Said (Hammersmith), Fred Tring (ex Vice President).

The Chairman said a number of people had been unable to attend because of illness and it was important to remember at times like this why we were here.

314
MINUTES OF AGM HELD ON 27 MARCH 1999

It was proposed by Peter Heard-White, seconded by Freda Nelson, (St James’) and agreed unanimously that the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 27 March 1999 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

315
ANNUAL REPORT

The Chairman presented the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 1999.

Campaigning

1999 was a very significant year for political campaigning.  An Early Day Motion was tabled , and then  signed by 182 MPs. This gave rise to the All Party Parliamentary Kidney Group being formed in July.  A further two  meetings have since been held.

The Kidney Alliance have secured funding for the preparation of a draft National Service Framework, which is being undertaken by Imperial College and will be launched in the Spring. The National Service Framework is like a bench mark to services for the treatment of kidney patients.  It will also deal with areas where there is no provision for treatment at all.  Renal Service commissioning will be undertaken by 9 people in the UK and this document will be aimed directly at them. 

For the first time in the year under review the NKF attended Fringe Meetings at all the three party conferences.  In the forthcoming year it is planned to attend only the Labour Party conference.

Renal question were asked in both Houses of Parliament throughout the year.  Lord Norrie spoke in a debate on the Health Service in February.

The Parliamentary work is essential but very costly.  Last year the NKF secured £35,000 funding for this work and this year we are hoping to secure £32,000. 

The key decisions are taken at local level and we have not given sufficient attention to this in the past,  but the Federation has appointed Robert Dunn as Patient Advocate to galvanise KPAs into action.  Meetings with Commissioning Groups are daunting and we have to be able to take this on.  Robert Dunn also provides a service to KPAs in helping to identify where problem areas are.  He will be contacting all KPAs in due course but he can also be contacted by telephone (01297 625045) if you would like his help.

The Scottish Federation of Kidney Patient Associations was formed during the year.  We need to ensure the relationship with them is on a sound basis to enable us to work together.

For a long time the NKF has been seeking ways to improve the service we provide to patients.  Our first task was to launch the National Kidney Patients’ Helpline in October.  It has now become very busy and is exceeding all expectations.  At the same time we launched the Internet web site which we believe is excellent.  Previously our leaflets were produced by a printer but all medical literature is now web based and is going to be printed directly from the web site at the worksop office.  The site is now 200 pages in size and has been visited by more than 10,000 people

We have taken the opportunity to revamp our magazine, Kidney Life,  by employing a professional designer and the improvement is amazing.

The conference this year will be held in Blackpool on 23/24 September.

Increasing amounts of money are required to be raised to cover these activities.  We were successful in raising £150,000 over 3 years for the Helpline costs and for the medical literature and information technology.  Continuing funding for Kidney Life and support of senior staff salaries has been secured for the forthcoming year.

We have been fortunate to secure a further £20,000 from Roche for the future year.  Also in 2000 we have received legacies totalling £75,000 compared to the usual  £5,000. This is an indicator of our success. 

The position of Chief Executive was made redundant.  The principle reason for doing this was a lack of match funding for the post, which was constraining our allocation of resources.  Mrs Evans left at the end of September and is taking the Federation to Industrial Tribunal, due to be heard in July.  We are advised by our solicitors that we will win and we should not settle but if we do it will be a matter of financial expediency. 

The current complement of staff is 5.  Previously there was no emphasis on local KPA work and the rearrangement of our resource has gone to this area.  If we need a further person to report to the Advocacy Officer this could be arranged.

This has been a difficult year but one of tremendous success because of the challenges we faced.  Renal provision has increased but not enough.  We still have more to do. 

Questions on the Chairmans report

Frank Howarth was asked to respond to a question from Chris Eliot (St George’s) as to the relationship with the BKPA.  He explained that this was a separate organisation but there was communication between us.

In response to a question about the new leaflets the Chairman advised that these were available through the Helpline.

Ken Tupling (SAKA) asked whether the Federation or the trustees were responsible in the event of there having to be a financial settlement made to Mrs Evans through her industrial Tribunal claim.  The Chairman confirmed it was the responsibility of the Federation.

316
FINANCIAL REPORT

The Treasurer presented the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 December 1999 and commented on the following. 

Total Income £225,204 compared to  £157,044.

Expenditure was £223,460

Surplus £1,744 in line with budget.

In year 2000 the income may be projected as over £300,000.  This does not include the income relating to parliamentary work which is dealt with separately for VAT purposes.

KPA Subscriptions are a declining figure in proportion of income  This year they are less than 10% of total income which in real terms meant that KPAs were getting 10 times the value.

Attention was drawn to the Management accounts which had been distributed to give more detail.

It was proposed by John Powell (SHARP), seconded by Roger Dear (Lister) and agreed unanimously that the Financial Report for year ended 31 December 1999 be accepted.

317
SUBSCRIPTIONS

It was proposed by acclamation

THAT membership subscriptions for the year 2000/2001 be maintained at the same level as last year, as follows:-

 Full Members:

National Kidney Federation Associate Members:      

Per Association £57.50

318
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

It was proposed by Bob Smith (QEKPA), seconded by Roger Dear (Lister) and agreed unanimously that Brannans Chartered Accountants be appointed Auditors/Independent Examiners for the year ending 31 December 2000.

319
PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Lord Norrie had resigned as President as he had not been elected to the Upper House but he was willing to remain supportive of the Federation and had indicated his willingness to become a patron of the organisation. 

A suitable candidate for president had not been found at this time so the decision had been taken to leave the position vacant pending an appropriate candidate.

Baroness Masham had been patron of the organisation for some time but the decision had been taken to appoint a number of new patrons to assist

It was proposed by acclamation  that the following be appointed patrons:-

Baroness Masham of Ilton

The Rt Hon the Lord Norrie
The Baroness Cumberlege CBE DL
Mr R Gabe-Wilkinson OBE MIPR_
Mr Bernie Grant MP
Professor Sir Netar Mallick DL FRCP

Mick Hill (Charing Cross) suggested that in view of the work Lord Norrie had done in respect of the National Kidney Federation that a letter be sent to the Government pointing out that he was an exceptional peer.

320
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The following were elected unopposed:

In standing down as Chairman Austin Donohoe said he had been on the Executive committee for just under 6 years, 3 years as Chairman.  He thanked all patients, industry partners and Brian Gunson in particular without whom he would never have managed the term of office, and all the members of the Executive for their support and help.

Frank Howarth responded by giving a vote of thanks to Austin Donohoe for his hard work and achievements as chairman.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 2.30 pm.

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