Friends of the Nightingale Macmillan Unit

HISTORY OF THE FRIENDS.
Early in 1990 thought was being given to complementing the Nightingale Macmillan Unit by the formation of the 'Friends' and as such a steering committee was instigated.

A public meeting was held on the 25th April in the Queen's Hall, London Road, Derby, to consider the formation of the Friends of the Nightingale. The Friends had the full support of the Southern Derbyshire Health Authority the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and the Nightingale Macmillan Unit.

With a unanimous vote from the floor, it was agreed that the steering committee should work towards producing a constitution and arranging for an annual general meeting to be held on the 10th October 1990. The main item on the agenda at this meeting concerned the adoption of the proposed constitution which was passed unanimously. The constitution was approved by the Charities Commission and the Friends of the Nightingale became a registered charity on the 24 October 1990.

HOW THE FRIENDS OPERATE
The constitution whilst allowing a committee of eleven we currently only have seven on the committee, being elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting now held each May. There are approximately 110 members at any one time of which about 15 are active. There are monthly meetings of the committee to discuss points of operation, the main one being fund raising, agreeing a likely programme, deciding on events, locations and dates.

The Friend's committee is in constant contact with the unit management team to ascertain their needs to help with extra comfort for the patients and aids for the staff. All fund raising requests are discussed at the Friends monthly committee meetings before approval is given to proceed with the expenditure.

OBJECTIVE OF THE FRIENDS
The primary objective of the Friends is defined as:-

"Raising funds to assist patients and former patients under the care of the Nightingale Macmillan unit who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped or infirm and in need of assistance and generally assist in the work of the Unit."

To raise funds for this work the Friends hold an Annual Prize Draw, the tickets for which are sold at fund raising venues and through members of the 'Friends'. We also hold coffee mornings and table top sales.

Friends logo items, which range from badges to fluffy bears and telephone pads to cuddly toys are on sale at the Nightingale Macmillan Unit and at all fund raising venues.

Businesses and organisations donate their services or fund raise on our behalf and we also receive donations in memory of loved ones.

Items purchased for the Unit have been endless but have included specialised electronically controlled profiling beds, nebulisers to aid breathing, syringe drivers for administering medication, compression pumps, wheelchairs, hoists and handling slings. In very recent times we have provided wardrobes and lockers, new bed cubicle and window curtains and also individual patient tv's for the In-patient area. In the Day patient area we have funded specialised chairs. The Friends have also funded the refurbishment of the Complementary Therapy Room and the rear patio garden area.

At Christmas we arrange for Christmas trees and presents for the patients. We also acknowledge Easter for the patients

Although the Nightingale Macmillan unit provides an excellent level of care for the patients, additional and / or updated equipment and services are always needed, so the Friends fund raising efforts need to continue. A current major project is a 'SensorCare Falls Prevention System' for the In Patient Area and we are pleased to say that a donation has been promised to fund the entire system for which we are very grateful.

Your support is of special value to us so if you are able to help in any way we will be very pleased to hear from you.

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