Stroud Hospitals League of Friends held its AGM at Stroud Subscription Rooms on Tuesday 20 September 2016 with the President, Dr Roy Lamb, in the Chair.
The special guest was Dr Tom Millard, Consultant Dermatologist who conducts clinics at Stroud General Hospital. Dr Millard gave an extremely interesting and informative, illustrated talk about Skin Surgery in Stroud Hospital. There are around 600 dermatologists in the country and Gloucestershire itself is fortunate to have a strong team of 7 Consultants. Dr Millard told the meeting that the most common skin cancer is a Basal Cell Cancer which is generally a slow growing cancer and does not cause a lot of mortality (death) but rather morbidity (illness). He explained that there are a number of treatments including freezing, radiotherapy and creams as well as surgery which is carried out in the Minor Surgery Suite at Stroud General Hospital.
The meeting was well attended by committee members, volunteers and members of the public as well as the Matron of Stroud General Hospital, Juliette Richardson.
David Miller, Chairman of the League of Friends, thanked the volunteers and members for their fine support, hard work and dedication throughout the year. Over £148,000 was allocated during 2015 to purchase equipment and other items including 6 day surgery trollies, riser/recliner chairs for assessment of patients, a pachymeter and tonometer for use in the outpatients eye clinics and a lease on a specially adapted patient support vehicle for the Occupational Therapy Department at Stroud General Hospital.
After his report, David Miller, stood down as Chairman of the League of Friends after very many years of dedicated service. He told the meeting that he had thoroughly enjoyed, for over 42 years, the role, firstly of Honorary Secretary and then Chairman and it was the support of so many people that had made it so enjoyable. He wished to personally thank the President, the Officers and Committee of the Friends and the fine team of Volunteers including the much appreciated Chaplaincy Team at the hospital. He said that the beneficial work of the nursing and support staff, the leading consultants and the doctors as well as the volunteers has resulted in the Stroud Hospitals being central to the hearts of the people of Stroud with the result that the League of Friends are supported magnificently by so many in our community.
David gave special thanks to his wife, Margaret for her support and commended the future of the League of Friends under the guidance of the new Chairman, Dr Gordon Horner who has accepted the role on a temporary basis until a long term Chairman has been appointed.
Dr Lamb thanked David Miller for all his tireless and enthusiastic work for the League over the years and presented Margaret with a large bouquet of flowers.
Photo shows from left to right: Dr Gordon Horner – Chairman of League of Friends, Margaret Miller, Juliette Richardson – Matron, Dr Roy Lamb – President of League of Friends, David Miller – Retiring Chairman of League of Friends