Trustee Annual Report
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund and Other Related Charities
Year ending 31 March 2025
1 Foreword
The Corporate Trustee presents the Charitable Funds Annual Report together with the independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The Charity’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 have been prepared by the Corporate Trustee in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The Charity’s Annual Report and Financial Statements include all the separately established funds from which The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Wiltshire Health and Care are the beneficiaries.
The Charitable Funds are registered with the Charity Commission (registration number 1050892) in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
1.1 Reference and Administrative Details
The group Charity ‘The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund’, registered charity number 1050892, was entered on the Central Register of Charities on 22 November 1995. The group Charity has nine active charities linked to it as detailed in note 14 to the accounts (2023/24: nine); all the linked Charities were formed by registering a Special Trust Deed.
Charitable Funds received by the Charity are accepted, held and administered as funds and property held on trust for purposes relating to the Health Service in accordance with the National Health Service Act 1977 and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, and these funds are held on trust by the Corporate Body.
1.2 Trustee
The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the Corporate Trustee of the Charitable Funds governed by the law applicable to Trusts, principally the Trustee Act 2000, and the Charities Act 2011.
The NHS Foundation Trust Board devolved responsibility for the on-going management of funds to the Charitable Funds Committee. Minutes of the Charitable Funds Committee are presented to the full Trust Board in order to keep them informed of the decisions being made on their behalf.
The names of those who served as agents to the Corporate Trustee by being members of the Charitable Funds Committee during the financial year and up to the time the accounts were signed were:
Julian Duxfield Non-Executive Director & Chair Bernie Morley Non-Executive Director Will Smart Non-Executive Director Simon Wade Chief Financial Officer Claire Thompson Chief Improvement & Partnerships Officer (to May-25)
1.3 Charitable Funds Advice to the Board
The Trust Board are advised by the Charitable Funds Committee on all matters relating to Charitable Funds. The Committee must approve all proposed expenditure over £5,000.
Alan Millard (to Jul-24), Ian Tingley (to Mar-25) and Pete Smith, in their capacity as Head of Financial Services, acted as the Principal Officer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for Charitable Funds during the year.
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1.4 Principal Office
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Trust Management The Great Western Hospital Marlborough Road Swindon Wiltshire SN3 6BB
1.5 Principal Professional Advisers
Bankers
The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC National Westminster Bank Government Banking Service Branch PO Box 2027, Parklands De Havilland Way Horwich, Bolton BL6 4YU
Independent Examiners Deloitte LLP HALO Counterslip Redcliffe Bristol BS1 6AJ
Solicitors Bevan Brittan LLP Kings Orchard 1 Queens Street Bristol BS2 0HQ
2 Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity’s unrestricted fund was established using the model declaration of trust. The restricted funds were separately registered and linked under the parent group Charity. All funds held at the date of registration either formed part of the unrestricted or restricted funds. Subsequent donations and gifts received by the Charity that are attributable to the original funds have been added to those fund balances within the existing charity.
The Corporate Trustee fulfils its legal duty by ensuring that funds are spent in accordance with the objectives of each fund and by designating funds, in this way the Trustee is able to: respect the wishes of the donors; to benefit patient care, and; advance the good health and welfare of both patients and staff. The charitable funds available for spending are held within the nine registered charities described in note 14 of the accounts. This includes funds managed on behalf of Wiltshire Health and Care LLP until the year end 31[st] March 2025 (and HCRG Care Group from 1[st] April 2025).
Non-Executive Members of the NHS Foundation Trust Board are appointed by the Governors, and Executive members of the Board are subject to recruitment by the NHS Foundation Trust Board. Core membership of the Charitable Funds Committee consists of the Trustee Chair, a Non-Executive Director appointed by the Trust Board, and the Chief Financial Officer. Members of the Trust Board and the Charitable Funds Committee are not individual Trustees under Charity Law, but act as agents on behalf of the Corporate Trustee.
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The Trust undertakes induction training for newly appointed members of the Trust Board and Charitable Funds Committee. The induction involves a presentation and a pack of information which includes: copies of the governing documents of the charities; a copy of the latest Annual Report and Financial Statements; Policies and Procedures, and; the Charity Commission document ‘The Essential Trustee: What you need to know’. The Charitable Funds Committee is responsible for the overall management of the Charitable Funds. The Committee is required to:
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a Support the Board in its duty to ensure the Trust has the systems to effectively manage Charitable Funds.
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b Ensure the audit processes performed by both external and internal audit in the area of Charitable Funds effectively deal with the traditional requirements of:
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True and accurate accounting records;
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Safeguarding of assets;
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Compliance with appropriate accounting policies, standards and Charity Law;
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Detection of fraud and irregularities.
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c Recommend additional policies and procedures to the Board to comply with statutory changes.
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d Review annual financial statements and trustee report prior to submission to the Board.
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e Consider any other matters relating to charitable funds referred to it by the Board.
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f Receive advice from representatives of the other beneficiaries as to how their funds should be expended.
The accounting records and the day-to-day administration of the funds are dealt with by the Finance Department located at The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Commonhead Offices, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB.
3 Risk Management
The major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been identified and assessed, with systems put in place to mitigate those risks. Any risks associated with the Charity are also included within the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s risk register.
The main risk faced by the Charity is a potential fall in income and an increase in costs as a result of the current economic climate. The Charity’s primary source of income comes from donations so any material changes to these levels could have a significant impact on operations. The continued cost of living crisis, global geopolitical tensions and threat of trade disruptions mean the outlook remains uncertain. These conditions are expected to reduce both the value and number of charitable donations being made by individuals in addition to causing greater competition between charities for these limited funds.
In order to mitigate the risk of a potential reduction in income, the use of different fundraising income streams ensure diversity of donations across a wide supporter base and help to provide resilience against changing market dynamics in one of more of these stream types. Additionally, the Charity has invested in website development and a more robust supporter database to concentrate fundraising efforts, improve data-led decision making, and deepen the relationships with its supporters. Data cleansing has enabled improved donor data analysis to help the Fundraising Team better understand supporter preferences, interests and propensity to give and to develop effective supporter journeys to deepen engagement.
There is evidence that local connection is a powerful motivator for giving so, for local charities like Brighter Futures, developing those connections is also a key focus. The Fundraising Team will continue to harness the power of social media to reconnect with past supporters in order to reactivate their giving and will target local communities to create a local network of support. We will work with colleagues in the Communications Team to raise the profile of
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the Charity with Trust Members, staff and within the local community. As the Great Western Hospital Trust is a significant provider of employment in the region, the Charity has a sizable audience which has not yet been exhausted, offering significant potential and going some way to reduce the fundraising risk.
The Fundraising team continues to monitor the external environment and reports quarterly to the Charitable Funds Committee. The Charitable Funds Committee meetings have a focused agenda with risks assessed on each major topic area including Fundraising, Finance and Fund Management. Performance is monitored with use of cost: income ratio and an assurance report is provided to Trust Board following each meeting ensuring necessary oversight.
4 Partnership Working
The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the main beneficiary of the Charity and is a related party by virtue of being the Corporate Trustee. By working in partnership with the Trust and the other beneficiaries, namely Wiltshire Health and Care LLP, the Charitable Funds are used to best effect. When deciding upon the best use of the Charitable Funds, the Corporate Trustee takes into consideration the main activities, objectives, strategies and plans of the proposed beneficiary.
The funds linked to community areas held on behalf of Wiltshire Health and Care LLP are managed with their own approval process which is then ratified by the Great Western Hospitals Charity Committee, subject to funds being available. From 1[st] April 2025, following the dissolution of Wiltshire Health and Care LLP, the contract for the provision of NHS community services transferred to HCRG Care Group Ltd. A similar arrangement for managing the funds linked to community areas is now in place between the Charity and HCRG, whereby spending plans are initially submitted by HCRG and then ratified by the Great Western Hospitals Charity Committee.
5 Objectives and Strategy for the Public Benefit
The Charity’s group fund has NHS aligned objectives as follows:
The Trustee shall hold the trust fund upon trust to apply the income, and at their discretion, so far as may be permissible, the capital, for any charitable purpose or purposes relating to the National Health Service (hereinafter referred to as “the objects”).
The Charitable Funds Committee has agreed the following Strategic Aims:
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a To enhance the environment for staff and patients, in which health services can be delivered effectively.
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b To enable staff and carers caring for patients to benefit from education and facilities not normally available within the NHS resource envelope.
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c To donate additional equipment and staffing to the Trust and other beneficiaries over and above the NHS resource envelope.
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d To spend funds in accordance with Charity Commission best practice and in support of the Trust’s and other beneficiaries’ stated values and five-year vision.
These aims are used by the Charitable Funds Committee when deciding on the suitability of a proposed project and their fulfilment would not be possible without the support of patients, carers, staff, the local community, voluntary organisations, and local businesses of the Trust and Wiltshire Health and Care.
The trustee has referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust’s aims and objectives and in planning
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future activities. All Charities are also required by the Charity Commission to demonstrate how they pass the ‘public benefit test’.
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There must be an identifiable benefit;
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The benefit must be to the public or a section of the public.
The Charity’s aims, objectives and activities are considered when cases are made for expenditure or when fundraising, to ensure that the patients, relatives and staff of the NHS Trust are benefited either directly or indirectly by the work of the Charity. In general, spending directly benefits patients with the provision of new equipment, facilities and a better trained workforce, all of which contribute to enhanced care. Staff or relatives benefit from improved skills and facilities also enabling the delivery of better care.
To ensure alignment with its strategic aims and NHS-related objectives, the Charity measures success through both financial and impact-based assessments. Financial performance is monitored quarterly through detailed management reports, with a comprehensive year-end review presented in the Charity budget paper each November. This review evaluates actual income and expenditure against planned targets and assesses whether funds have been deployed in line with the Charity’s objectives. In addition to financial metrics, the Charity also considers qualitative outcomes including: improvements to patient and staff environments; access to enhanced training, and; the provision of supplementary equipment or services, as indicators of success. These outcomes are reviewed by the Charitable Funds Committee to ensure that funded initiatives deliver tangible public benefit and contribute meaningfully to the Trust’s overarching vision.
6 Annual Review: Our Activities
Every year we are astounded by the generosity of our patients and their relatives, staff and members of the public who devote their time and effort to fundraise for our Hospital and Community Health Service. This generosity has enabled the purchase of new equipment and enhanced facilities which have directly benefitted both our patients and staff. In addition, this has enabled nursing, medical and support staff to attend courses and share new ideas leading to improved care. Grant funded purchases were varied and provided quality enhancements not normally available within the NHS resource envelope.
Donations that come into the Hospital are placed into a range of funds which are designated for specific areas of work or wards within the Trust, with some donations held in the General Fund. The Great Western Hospital General Fund is for the general benefit of patients and staff at the Great Western Hospital and as such has funded various initiatives and equipment purchases to support new service developments leading to improved practices and enhanced patient care.
The Charity benefits from a dedicated fundraising team to generate additional income across all funds, lead major fundraising appeals and meet the growing demands for funding. Total Charity income generated for the financial year 2024/25 was £576,000 (2023/24: £994,000) of which £141,000 was from grant funding (2023/24: £115,000). Fundraising performance remained steady with the main reason for the overall reduction in income due to a decrease in the volume and value of legacy bequests recognised during the financial year.
The total raised for the main restricted fundraising appeal – the Way Forward Programme Appeal, was £215,000. This appeal has been running since 2021 and was set up to support the expansion of emergency and urgent care services — a vital area of growing demand. Alongside this, an additional £130,000 of unrestricted funds were generated for the Great Western Hospital General Fund, providing support to areas of greatest need and enabling flexible, responsive funding across departments. Two major strategic workstreams also received significant backing: Children’s Services, encompassing neonatal, maternity, and the children’s unit, received £70,000 while Cancer Services were supported with £73,000. These contributions reflect the charity’s commitment to enhancing patient care and investing in key services that deliver long-term impact for the community.
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A number of income streams continued to be used to generate funds and significantly contribute to the total incoming resources to 31 March 2025. These include: corporate fundraising; applications to other Charitable Trusts and Foundations; a mix of both physical and virtual sponsored events; support from community fundraisers, and; promoting legacies or donations in memory of a loved one or in celebration of an occasion. The core income streams from Corporate and Trust donations have remained consistent, even as donations from individuals and income generated from community fundraising events experienced decline.
7 Grant Making Policy
Grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis, assessed on how well they support the strategic aims of the Charity, and in accordance with donor restrictions. The intended use of the grant must be cost-effective and enhance the service or facilities provided for staff and patients, beyond that which is normally provided, in order to improve standards of care and patient experience.
The Corporate Trustee operates a scheme of delegation through which all grants can only be awarded by those members with the necessary authority to do so. In cases where the grant is intended for employing staff or is above the predefined limit of five thousand pounds the award decision must be taken by the Charitable Funds Committee. In all other cases outside of these limits, the Fund Managers have delegated responsibility for the disbursements of funds.
Expenditure is closely monitored; no fund manager is able to expend funds without the request first being checked by the Finance Department who ensure that funds are available. Fund Managers are authorised by the committee to oversee the day-to-day management of such funds within these clearly defined spending limits. Income is also monitored to check whether the levels of income are as expected and if not, then spending plans are amended accordingly.
The majority of grants are made from the Charity’s Restricted Funds. These comprise of two elements:
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a) The Registered Restricted General Funds of the Great Western Hospital and the Swindon and Wiltshire Community Areas: These contain gifts and donations, where the restriction is that the funds may be used principally for the benefit of patients and staff at the Great Western Hospital and within the wider Wiltshire community areas.
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b) Other Registered Restricted Funds: These funds have been donated to a particular speciality, ward or purpose. The surgical services fund is an example of such a fund. Fund managers that have been authorised by the committee, oversee the day-to-day management of such funds, within clearly defined spending limits.
All grants, with the exception of those related to the Wiltshire Community Health Charitable Funds, are made to Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with the Funds being administered by The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund. Grants relating to Wiltshire Community Health Charitable Funds are administered by a committee within Wiltshire Health and Care LLP and subsequently ratified by the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Funds Committee.
8 Reserves Policy
Free reserves, as defined by the Trustee, are part of the Charity’s unrestricted funds available to utilise on activities for the benefit of the public in furtherance of the Charity’s objectives, but not yet designated for a specific purpose. The total free reserves at 31 March 2025 was £260,000 compared with £304,000 for the year ending 31 March 2024 and there are no material commitments.
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The Trustee believes reserves should be maintained at a minimum level around £57,000 based on an average of four months normal expenditure and the available cash balance. This is considered to be an appropriate timeframe in which to source alternative funding streams and the policy is reviewed regularly in light of any new opportunities. This level of reserves meets the needs of the Charity and enables the Trustee to consider applications for funding as and when they arise.
Free reserves are higher than the identified minimum level, but the Charity has approved funding for various longer-term projects during the year which are designated but not spent as at 31 March 2025. The Corporate Trustee is aware that funds should be spent on charitable activities within a reasonable time period and, through the Charitable Funds Committee, ensures that funds are spent and not saved unless a fund manager has a specific purpose for which they wish to save and have received permission to do so from the Committee.
9 Future Plans
The charity remains committed to enabling the Great Western NHS Foundation Trust realise patient benefit much sooner by: enhancing the environment in which health services can be delivered; enabling improved opportunities for training and wellbeing initiatives not normally available within the NHS budget, and; providing additional equipment and innovation beyond the NHS funding envelope.
Our new 2025–2028 strategy builds on this foundation, aligning closely with the Great Western NHS Foundation Trust’s priorities, alongside the wider NHS Charities Together framework. Over the next three years, our focus will centre on four strategic pillars: transforming patient experience and outcomes; supporting workforce wellbeing; helping communities live well, and; ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
Our fundraising efforts will continue to champion ongoing strategic programmes such as the Way Forward Appeal, our flagship initiative to improve urgent and emergency care services. In addition, we are developing a new appeal for 2025/26 to enhance Chemotherapy Cancer Services, reflecting our commitment to supporting patients across the full spectrum of care. Day-to-day fundraising will also remain vital in supporting wards and departments, including children’s services. To maximise the impact of charitable funds, we will launch a fund rationalisation project in 2025/26 — working closely with Divisional Directors and fund managers to unlock and utilise unrestricted funds for larger-scale transformation initiatives.
Looking ahead, the charity will continue to evolve as a proactive, data-led charity — strengthening grant-making processes, improving impact reporting, and investing in staff development. We will support research, innovation, and wellbeing initiatives across the Trust, ensuring our work delivers meaningful and lasting change for patients, staff, and the wider community.
10 A Review of our Finances, Achievements and Performance
The total net assets of the Charitable Funds as at 31 March 2025 were £951,000 compared with £1,272,000 as at 31 March 2024. Overall net assets decreased by £321,000 due to overall net outgoing resources of £321,000.
The Charity continues to rely on donations, legacies, grants and investment income as its main sources of income, representing 90.0% of total income in 2024/25 compared with 94.0% in 2023/24.
Of the £897,000 total expenditure in 2024/25, compared with £670,000 in 2023/24, charitable expenditure on direct charitable activity (including support costs) was £557,000 compared
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with £378,000 in 2023/24 and this was distributed over a number of categories of expenditure.
11 Purchase of New Equipment
The total donated expenditure on new equipment for the beneficiaries, excluding support costs, was £349,000 (£110,000 in 2023/24). This represents a considerable contribution to enhancing patient care.
| Donated Expenditure on New Equipment Room dividers for new Integrated Front Door area Mobile X-ray for IFD ICU bed systems Neonatal babylog ventilator Neonatal brain monitor Transport ventilator for IFD IFD furniture items incl seating Bladder scanner CMOS Rhino Laryngoscope Transport chairs for Community sites Carers 'buddy' day beds Hepatology FibroScan Furniture items for IFD baby room Other furniture items for GWH & Community Neonatal milk warmers Chippenham MIU treatment/plaster chair Patient warming cabinent Other smaller electrical appliances TOTAL |
£'000 101 70 30 28 23 19 17 11 10 8 7 6 6 4 3 2 2 2 |
|---|---|
| 349 |
12 Patient Welfare
The total donated expenditure, excluding support costs, on patients’ welfare was £50,000 (£89,000 in 2023/24).
| Donated Expenditure on Patients Rehabilitation & Interactive Therapy Activities software Music therapy sessions Garden planting & improvements Dementia friendly clocks & signage Children's toys, activites & craft items Therapy items & activities Cancer buddy coordinator Educational materials & events Christmas gifts & hospitality Other smaller items TOTAL |
£'000 17 9 6 5 4 3 2 2 1 1 |
|---|---|
| 50 |
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13 Staff Education and Welfare
The total donated expenditure on staff education and welfare, excluding support costs, was £98,000 (£101,000 in 2023/24).
| Donated Expenditure on Staff Staff recognition awards event Training courses & learning events Staff recognition festival event Apprentice funding refund to GWH Trust Health & wellbeing therapy activities Volunteers recognition awards event Team building activities & events Staff rest area items/improvements Christmas events & hospitality Fundraising development project Educational materials & training aids Hospitality & refreshments Fleece hoodies & cardigans Volunteers management software Other items to improve the working environment TOTAL |
£'000 29 16 13 10 7 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 |
|---|---|
| 98 |
14 Research Grants
The Trust’s Ethics Committee sanctions all expenditure on research and patient studies. The Charity also seeks advice from the Trust’s Research and Innovation Department before any grants are made for these purposes. The total donated expenditure on Research, excluding support costs, was £2,000 (£20,000 in 2023/24). This supported educational training for staff linked to research projects.
15 Performance Management
The Charity requires Fund Managers to supply the Charitable Funds Committee with spending plans and, at each committee meeting, the Committee receive updates on individual fund balances which are closely scrutinised. The Committee will call before them any Fund Manager who they believe is not spending their funds in an appropriate manner and have the right to remove any Fund Manager they believe is not acting in the best interest of the Charity. In cases where Fund Managers have requested permission to save funds for a specific project, the Committee requires them to produce progress updates where appropriate.
The Charity does not employ any staff, but the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides accounting and administration services. The agreed fixed annual fee is recharged on a quarterly basis and this charge is included within expense on charitable activities. In addition, from 2012 the Trust has employed an Associate Director of Fundraising who is responsible for raising the profile of the Charity and for identifying new revenue streams, as well as working with fund managers and other staff in the Trust on specific fundraising projects. The Associate Director of Fundraising reports to the Charitable Funds Committee on a quarterly basis. The Trust has also recruited additional fundraising team members to support the proposed fundraising projects going forward.
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16 Investment Policy
The Corporate Trustee has determined the investment policy for the Charity with reference to Charity Commission guidance and in accordance with the Trustee Act 2000. The main objective is to achieve a balance between protecting the real value of capital funds and generating income, with a low to moderate level of risk tolerance.
Any identified surplus of uncommitted cash balance in the Charities account, not expected to be required in the shorter-term, is considered for investment. Based on the current cash balance together with expenditure plans and commitments, this account provides both a preferential rate of return together with the required flexibility to meet current Charity needs compared to options for alternative investment. The Charity has a Government Banking Service (GBS) bank account to ensure the maximum level of safeguarding and balance protection.
When the level of surplus funds increases, these will be considered for either: short to medium-term deposit in higher interest accounts to maximise returns over appropriate fixed time periods, or; longer-term in a managed Charities investment portfolio with a significant focus on ethical investment categories with reduced volatility. This position is regularly monitored by the Charitable Funds Committee to ensure potential opportunities are maximised and investment policy is reviewed annually.
On behalf of staff and patients who have benefited from improved services due to the receipt of donations and legacies, the Corporate Trustee would like to thank all of those who have made charitable donations.
Approved on behalf of the Corporate Trustee
Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee
Date 15 January 2026
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Statement of Trustee responsibilities in respect of the Trustee annual report and the financial statements
Under the trust deed and rules of the charity and charity law, the trustee is responsible for preparing the Trustee Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The trustee has elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the excess of expenditure over income for that period.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustee is required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustee is responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
So far as the trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charity's independent examiners are unaware, and all the steps have been taken that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charity's independent examiners are aware of that information.
By Order of the Trustee Chairperson Date 15 January 2026 flo) lygord Charity Committee member Date 15 January 2026
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE GREAT WESTERN HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHARITABLE FUND AND OTHER RELATED CHARITIES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Charitable Fund and Other Related Charities (“the Charity”) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account), the balance sheet, cash flow statement and the related notes 1 to 14.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). You are satisfied that your charity is not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.
I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act and the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2019).
Independent examiner's statement
Since the Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Use of this report
This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
) dete uP
Michelle Hopton, FCA for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP Bristol, United Kingdom 26 January 2026
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The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund and Other Related Charities
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Note Income from Donations and Legacies 3 & 4 Other Grants Receivable Other Trading activities Income from cash on deposit 10 Income from Charitable activities Total Income Expenditure on Raising funds Expenditure on Charitable activities 6 Total Expenditure Net (expenditure) / income before investments & transfers Transfers between funds Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation of Funds Total Funds Brought Fwd Total Funds Carried Fwd 14 |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £000 Restricted Funds 2025 £000 Total Funds 2025 £000 Unrestricted Funds 2024 £000 Restricted Funds 2024 £000 Total Funds 2024 £000 114 334 448 235 611 846 - 2 - 4 - 6 30 2 - 5 30 7 7 63 70 4 56 60 7 45 52 8 43 51 |
|---|---|
| 130 446 576 279 715 994 |
|
| (100) (240) (340) (57) (235) (292) (74) (483) (557) (103) (275) (378) |
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| (174) (723) (897) (160) (510) (670) |
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| (44) (277) (321) 119 205 324 - - - 23 (23) - |
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| (44) (277) (321) 142 182 324 |
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| 304 968 1,272 162 786 948 |
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| 260 691 951 304 968 1,272 |
Please refer to note 14 for detailed fund analysis.
Notes on pages 16 to 24 form part of these accounts
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The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund and Other Related Charities
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
| Note Unrestricted | Note Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
| £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | ||
| Current Assets | |||||||
| Prepayments and debtors | 11 | 29 | 3 | 32 | 183 | 11 | 194 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 12 | 235 | 834 | 1,069 | 137 | 1,081 | 1,218 |
| Total Current Assets | 264 | 837 | 1,101 | 320 | 1,092 | 1,412 | |
| Creditors falling due within | 13 | ||||||
| one year | (4) | (146) | (150) | (16) | (124) | (140) | |
| Net Current Assets | 260 | 691 | 951 | 304 | 968 | 1,272 | |
| Total Net Assets | 260 | 691 | 951 | 304 | 968 | 1,272 | |
| Funds of the Charity | |||||||
| Unrestricted Income Funds | 14 | 260 | - | 260 | 304 | - | 304 |
| Restricted Income Funds | 14 | - | 691 | 691 | - | 968 | 968 |
| Total Funds | 260 | 691 | 951 | 304 | 968 | 1,272 |
Notes on pages 16 to 24 form part of these accounts
Signed:
Name: Julian Duxfield
Date: 15 January 2026
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The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund and Other Related Charities
Statement of Cash Flows for year ended 31 March 2025
| Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Dividends and interest from cash on deposit Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities Net (expenditure) / income for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial activities) Adjustments for: Dividends and interest from cash on deposit Decrease / (increase) in debtors Increase / (decrease) in creditors Net cash used by operating activities Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash in hand Total cash and cash equivalents |
Total Funds 2025 £000 Total Funds 2024 £000 (219) (250) 70 60 |
|---|---|
| (149) (190) 1,218 1,408 |
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| 1,069 1,218 |
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| (321) 324 (70) (60) 162 (39) 10 (475) |
|
| (219) (250) 1,069 1,218 |
|
| 1,069 1,218 |
Notes on pages 16 to 24 form part of these accounts
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1 Accounting Policies
a Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies have been consistently applied. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102) effective from 1 January 2019, and applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
b Going concern
The Trustee considers that there are no material uncertainties for at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements which would impact the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. A significant factor in this judgement is due to the financial controls in place which ensure grant expenditure is only approved in conjunction with confirmation of the available cash balance after allowing for existing unspent commitments, and by maintaining a minimum reserve balance of unrestricted funds.
In addition, in the event of potential future income reduction, the Trustee has concluded that the Charity has a reasonable expectation there are adequate resources to continue to operate for at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements following assessment of the level of cash reserves, total outstanding committed grant expense and normal ongoing costs.
As at the year end 31st March 2025 the total cash reserves were £1,069,000, total unspent approved grant expenditure was £227,000, and annual recurring operational costs (including regular ongoing support and staffing recharges) were £398,000. This would provide adequate timeframe for planning and decision making in which to make alternative arrangements to ensure continued operations.
As at 31st December 2025, the total cash levels have reduced to £815,000 with this movement primarily due to net outgoing resources and a reduction in creditors. The total outstanding committed grant expenditure has also reduced to £188,000 and regular recurring costs remain consistent. Overall, this represents no significant impact on resources and cover period which would change the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern.
There are no changes in accounting policy which affect the total retained funds at 31 March 2025 or 2024 or net expenditure for 2024/25.
c Funds structure
Restricted Funds are funds to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor.
Unrestricted Funds comprise funds that the Trustee is free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. The Charity has one Unrestricted Fund being The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund.
All of the major funds are disclosed in note 14.
d Incoming resources
All incoming resources are recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that resources will be received and, the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.
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• Voluntary Income: incoming resources generated from gifts, donations and any related gift aid, legacies given by the founders, patrons, supporters, the general public and businesses as well as gifts in kind and donated services and facilities.
• Investment Income: incoming resources from investment assets, including dividends and interest but excluding realised and unrealised investment gains and losses.
e Incoming resources from legacies
Legacies are accounted for as incoming resources either upon receipt or when receipt is probable; this will be once there has been a grant of probate, the executors have confirmed that there are sufficient assets in the estate after settling liabilities to pay the legacy and all conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the Charity or have been met.
f
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Grant commitments are recognised when a constructive obligation arises which results in a payment being unavoidable.
Grants are only made to related or third-party NHS Bodies and non-NHS Bodies in furtherance of the Charitable objects of the Funds. A liability for such grants is recognised when approval has been given by the Corporate Trustee. The NHS Bodies have full knowledge of the plans of the Trustee, therefore a grant approval is taken to constitute a firm intention of payment, which has been communicated to the NHS Bodies, and so a liability is recognised.
Contractual arrangements are recognised as goods and services are supplied.
g Irrecoverable VAT
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.
h Allocation of administrative support and overhead costs
Charges included within governance, administrative support and overhead costs have been allocated on either:
-
a direct basis and include banking fees and IT software maintenance charges, or;
-
• appropriately apportioned based on an estimate of recharged staff time (note 5).
Following allocation or apportionment, these costs are then divided across the different categories of Charitable activities in proportion to total spend (note 6).
i Expenditure on raising funds
Expenditure on raising funds includes all costs incurred by the Charity in order to raise funds for its charitable purposes. This comprises the costs of all fundraising activities and investment management fees.
Fundraising activities include: recharged departmental staff pay costs and expenses incurred in seeking donations, grants and legacies; organising fundraising events; inclusion in charity membership schemes; operating lotteries and raffles, and; advertising and marketing costs including those associated with direct mailing appeals.
j Expenditure on charitable activities
Costs of charitable activities comprise all costs incurred in the pursuit of the charitable objects of the Charity. These costs comprise an apportionment of governance, administrative support and overhead costs as shown in note 6.
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k Governance costs
Governance costs comprise all costs incurred in the governance of the Charity. These costs include audit charges, legal advice and an apportionment of Committee members recharged pay costs. Governance costs are included within administrative support and overhead costs and are apportioned across the different categories of charitable activities in proportion to total spend (note 5 & 6).
l Tax position
The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable trust for UK income tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 10 Income Tax Act 2007 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
m Cash flow statement
The Charity has prepared the Financial Statements under FRS 102 and provided a statement of cash flow.
n Estimates and judgements
Estimates and judgements are used to approximate values where exact data is not readily apparent. The underlying assumptions used for these approximations are based on relevant available data to achieve reasonable and prudent measurement, recognition and disclosure in the context of FRS 102. Actual results may differ due to uncertainty. There are currently no material estimates or judgements recognised in the financial statements.
2 Related Party Transactions
The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Wiltshire Health and Care are the beneficiaries of the Charity. The Charity provided funding to these bodies for approved expenditure made on behalf of the Charity. This expenditure is detailed in note 7.
During the year none of the members of the bodies Boards of Directors or key management staff or person(s) related to them have undertaken any material transactions with or been beneficiaries of the Charity. Neither the Corporate Trustee, nor any members of these organisations, have received honoraria, emoluments or expenses, and have not purchased Trustee indemnity insurance.
3 Donations
| Donations from Individuals Voluntary Organisations Corporate Donations Charitable Trusts Total |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £000 Restricted Funds 2025 £000 Total Funds 2025 £000 41 126 167 1 66 67 9 29 38 3 111 114 |
|---|---|
| 54 332 386 |
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| Donations from Individuals Voluntary Organisations Corporate Donations Charitable Trusts Total |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £000 Restricted Funds 2024 £000 Total Funds 2024 £000 36 155 191 1 36 37 2 36 38 7 102 109 |
|---|---|
| 46 329 375 |
4 Legacies
| An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual Total An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual An Individual Total |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £000 Restricted Funds 2025 £000 Total Funds 2025 £000 Benefit Area 30 15 14 - - 1 - - - 1 1 - 30 15 14 1 1 1 Great Western Hospital General Great Western Hospital General Great Western Hospital General Cardiac / Coronary Care Account Children's Play Dept Account Great Western Hospital General 60 2 62 Unrestricted Funds 2024 £000 Restricted Funds 2024 £000 Total Funds 2024 £000 Benefit Area - 229 229 Radiology & Imaging Account 81 3 47 5 - - 1 - 50 - - 2 1 - 81 53 47 5 2 1 1 Great Western Hospital General GWH General / Cancer Services Great Western Hospital General Great Western Hospital General Palliative Care & A&E Account Urology Department Account Great Western Hospital General 189 282 471 |
|---|---|
5 Allocation of Governance, Administrative Support and Overheads
| Financial services Governance costs IT and other costs Total |
Purchase of new Equipment 2025 £000 Patients Welfare 2025 £000 Staff Education & Welfare 2025 £000 Research Grants 2025 £000 Total Allocated 2025 £000 26 13 1 4 2 - 7 4 1 - - - 37 19 2 |
|---|---|
| 40 6 12 - 58 |
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| Financial services Governance costs IT and other costs Total |
Purchase of new Equipment 2024 £000 Patients Welfare 2024 £000 Staff Education & Welfare 2024 £000 Research Grants 2024 £000 Total Allocated 2024 £000 13 7 1 10 5 - 12 6 1 2 1 - 37 19 2 |
|---|---|
| 21 15 19 3 58 |
6 Expenditure on Charitable Activities
The Charity made grants to Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Wiltshire Health and Care LLP in support of a range of charitable activities.
| Purchase of new equipment Patients Welfare Staff Education & Welfare Research Grants Governance & Support costs Total Purchase of new equipment Patients Welfare Staff Education & Welfare Research Grants Governance & Support costs Total |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £000 Restricted Funds 2025 £000 Total Funds 2025 £000 15 334 349 2 48 50 53 45 98 - 4 2 54 2 58 |
|---|---|
| 74 483 557 |
|
| Unrestricted Funds 2024 £000 Restricted Funds 2024 £000 Total Funds 2024 £000 - 110 110 29 60 89 48 53 101 20 6 - 52 20 58 |
|
| 103 275 378 |
| Purchase of new equipment Patients Welfare Staff Education & Welfare Research Grants Total |
Grant Funded Activity 2025 £000 Governance & Support costs 2025 £000 Total Funds 2025 £000 349 40 389 50 6 56 98 12 110 2 - 2 |
|---|---|
| 499 58 557 |
20
| Purchase of new equipment Patients Welfare Staff Education & Welfare Research Grants Total |
Grant Funded Activity 2024 £000 Governance & Support costs 2024 £000 Total Funds 2024 £000 110 21 131 89 15 104 101 19 120 20 3 23 |
|---|---|
| 320 58 378 |
7 Analysis of Grants
All grants were made to Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Wiltshire Health and Care LLP with the funds being administered by The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund on behalf of others.
| Great Western Hospitals NHS FT Oxford University Hospital NHS FT Wiltshire Health and Care Governance & support costs Total |
Purchase of new equipment 2025 £000 Patients Welfare 2025 £000 Staff Education & Welfare 2025 £000 Research Grants 2025 £000 Total Grants 2025 £000 337 - 12 45 - 5 97 - 1 2 - - 481 - 18 40 6 12 - 58 |
|---|---|
| 389 56 110 2 557 |
| Great Western Hospitals NHS FT Oxford University Hospital NHS FT Wiltshire Health and Care Governance & support costs Total |
Purchase of new equipment 2024 £000 Patients Welfare 2024 £000 Staff Education & Welfare 2024 £000 Research Grants 2024 £000 Total Grants 2024 £000 60 50 - 21 87 - 2 15 101 - - 19 20 - - 3 268 50 2 58 |
|---|---|
| 131 104 120 23 378 |
The Corporate Trustee operates a scheme of delegation through which all grant-funded activity is managed by Fund Managers, responsible for the day-to-day disbursements of those funds. The total cost of making grants is disclosed in the activity analysis on the face of the Statement of Financial Activities.
8 Independent Examiner’s Remuneration
The Independent Examiner’s remuneration was £7,390 in 2024/25 (£7,040 in 2023/24) and related solely to the independent examination in each financial year, no other work was undertaken.
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9 Analysis of Staff Costs
| nalysis of Staff Costs | |
|---|---|
| Salaries & wages Social security costs Pension costs Total emoluments of staff Ave number of staff per month |
2025 Total £000 2024 Total £000 223 22 33 201 19 29 |
| 278 249 |
|
| 5.81 5.01 |
The analysis above represents amounts charged to the Charity for staff employed by the NHS Foundation Trust and work solely on behalf of the Charity. All staff are on standard NHS terms and conditions and are contracted to work with the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
No Trustees were remunerated for their roles in both the current and prior year.
| 10 Income from cash on deposit Cash on Deposit: Bank Interest Total 11 Prepayments and debtors Legacy income recognition HMRC gift aid income Total 12 Cash and cash equivalents NatWest Bank Total 13 Creditors falling due within one year Analysis of liabilities by organisation Great Western Hospitals NHS FT Global Media Group (Global Radio) Total |
2025 Total Held in UK £000 2024 Total Held in UK £000 70 60 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 70 60 |
||
| 2025 Total £000 2024 Total £000 30 2 183 11 |
||
| 32 194 |
||
| 2025 Total £000 2024 Total £000 1,069 1,218 |
||
| 1,069 1,218 |
||
| 2025 Total £000 2024 Total £000 144 6 140 - |
||
| 150 140 |
The creditor accrual represents monies owed at the year-end by the Charity to the related parties: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for costs incurred by the NHS Trust
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on behalf of the Charity in the furtherance of the Charity’s objects, and; Global Media Group for radio advertising.
| 14 Analysis of Charitable Funds |
14 Analysis of Charitable Funds |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Gains | Fund | |
| Balance | Resources | Expended | between | and | C’fwd | |
| 31/03/24 | (inc trnsf) | (inc trnsf) | funds | Losses | 31/03/25 | |
| £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | |
| 1050892-1 General Unrestricted | 304 | 130 | (174) | - | - | 260 |
| 1050892-2 Medical Services | 110 | 32 | (62) | - | - | 80 |
| 1050892-3 Surgical Services | 89 | 22 | (65) | - | - | 46 |
| 1050892-4 Women & Children’s | 77 | 87 | (128) | - | - | 36 |
| 1050892-7 Diagnostic Services | 265 | 82 | (52) | (54) | - | 241 |
| 1050892-8 Research | 39 | 18 | (23) | - | - | 34 |
| 1050892-9 Great Western General | 139 | 180 | (354) | 54 | - | 19 |
| 1050892-13 Swindon Community | 5 | 1 | (1) | - | - | 5 |
| 1050892-14 & 15 WCHS | 244 | 24 | (38) | - | - | 230 |
| Total | 1,272 | 576 | (897) | - | - | 951 |
| Adjusted | Incoming |
Resources | Transfers |
Gains |
Fund | |
| Balance | Resources | Expended |
between |
and | C’fwd | |
| 31/03/23 | (inc trnsf) | (inc trnsf) | funds | Losses | 31/03/24 |
|
| £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | |
| 1050892-1 General Unrestricted | 162 | 279 | (160) | 23 | - | 304 |
| 1050892-2 Medical Services | 123 | 41 | (54) | - | - | 110 |
| 1050892-3 Surgical Services | 114 | 42 | (67) | - | - | 89 |
| 1050892-4 Women & Children’s | 93 | 59 | (75) | - | - | 77 |
| 1050892-7 Diagnostic Services | 42 | 273 | (50) | - | - | 265 |
| 1050892-8 Research | 39 | 8 | (8) | - | - | 39 |
| 1050892-9 Great Western General | 129 |
269 | (236) | (23) | - | 139 |
| 1050892-13 Swindon Community | 4 | 3 | (2) | - | - | 5 |
| 1050892-14 & 15 WCHS | 242 | 20 | (18) | - | - | 244 |
| Total | 948 | 994 | (670) | - | - | 1,272 |
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Name of Fund
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Medical Services Charity
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Surgical Services Charity, Audiology, Ophthalmology and Urology
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Women and Children’s Services Charity
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Diagnostic Services Charity
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Research Charity
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Hospital Charity
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Swindon Community Charitable Fund
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Wiltshire Community Health Services Charitable Fund
Description, Nature and Purpose of Fund
Unrestricted Fund, its purpose being any Charitable purpose(s) relating to the National Health Service.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being to support services such as Emergency, Cardiology, Care for the Elderly, Respiratory and Stroke Care.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being to support services such as Trauma and Orthopaedics, Theatre Recovery, Intensive Care, Anaesthetics, Pain Relief, Audiology, Ophthalmology and Urology.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being to support services such as Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and the Special Care Baby Unit.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being to support services such as Pharmacy, Haematology, Pathology, Outpatient Clinics and Radiology, which includes the Computerised Axial Tomography Scanner (CT), Bone Densitometer Scanner, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner (MRI), Breast Screening and General X-Ray.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being to support research into Gastro-intestinal, Orthopaedics, Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, ENT and Diabetes.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being for any Charitable Purpose(s) relating to the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, principally but not exclusively for the Great Western Hospital General Purposes.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being to support the Health Service wholly or mainly for the Services provided within the Swindon Community area.
Restricted Fund, its purpose being to support the Health Service wholly or mainly for the Services provided within the wider Wiltshire Community Area.
24