## **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service** # **Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended** ## **31[st] March 2021** ## **SUFFOLK’S EMERGENCY MEDICAL CHARITY** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Contents |**ITEM**|**PAGE**| |---|---| |Chairman’s Foreword|3| |KeyInformation|4| |Report of the Trustees|5-8| |Accounts|9-12| |Independent Examiner’s Report|13| |Impact Statement|14-18| |Awards|19| ## Acknowledgements The Board of Trustees generally acknowledges with gratitude the work of its officers for their support to the whole Board, in particular the Chairman and Treasurer whose work has been unusually onerous this year. Thanks too to our Operations Manager and his team, to all the volunteer clinicians and supporters who together deliver the work of this exceptional Charity. Last, but not least, we would like to acknowledge the guidance and contribution of our various professional advisors and the assistance of our Independent Examiner, Price Bailey LLP. ## Donations Supporters can donate to SARS simply by clicking on the link to our website, at: https://www.sars999.org.uk/donate-to-sars/ Page **2** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Chairman’s Foreword During the last year SARS has faced challenges, predominantly due to COVID-19 - which would have perhaps been unthinkable previously. However these pale into insignificance when compared to both the spirit and actions of our volunteer groups - both clinical and charity together with our staff working at our HQ and the local community who have all rallied in support of SARS during this time. This has allowed us to continue to push forward with our charitable aims and deliver lifesaving care to the people of Suffolk and our neighbouring counties. SARS continues to bring expert clinical resources, together with specialised equipment and drugs not found on front-line NHS ambulances to patients in and around Suffolk. We are lucky that some of our patients have chosen to speak publicly about the events which led to their treatment by SARS volunteers and to further publicise the wonderful work carried out by our Charity. We hope that their stories will illustrate the benefit that SARS brings to Suffolk. In a rural County such as ours, the geography can at times prove challenging when making an immediate 999 response to life threatening emergencies. It may surprise you to learn that SARS is often first on scene - ahead of the statutory services, meaning that patients benefit from life-saving interventions, advanced therapies to reduce pain and disability and expertise in patient management before they otherwise would have done. This is only possible due to the generosity of the people and organisations which have supported us, allowing us to increase our team shifts and network of responders who are ready to drop everything at a moment's notice and go to the aid of others. Their outstanding contribution was exemplified by the award of the Suffolk Medal to Dr Jeremy Mauger in June this year for his long service as a volunteer for SARS. At the end of our reporting year we were able to commission another rapid response vehicle as a result of very generous assistance from a corporate supporter. This new vehicle, call sign SMED27, has allowed us to extend the provision of our team shift resource with a particular focus on the Suffolk Coast and North-East sectors of Suffolk. I commend the annual report to you and hope that you enjoy learning more about the wonderful work of this remarkable Charity which has been serving Suffolk for the past 49 years. Page **3** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Governance and Administration Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (“SARS”) was formed as a Charity on 1[st] May 1972 and is now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered under the Charities Act 2011 and governed by a Constitution dated 1[st] April 2017 with Charity registration number 1168764 and Company registration number CE008550. ## Trustees ## Clinical Trustees: Mr. James Whatling (Chairman) Mr. Mike Hild (Vice-chairman) Dr. Karol Silovsky Mr. Tim Daniels Dr. Patricia Mills Non - Clinical Trustees: Mr. Harold Richardson (Secretary) Mrs. Anne Daultrey (Treasurer) Mr. Paul Hockey Mr. Michael Caddock All served throughout the whole of the year except Dr. Patricia Mills and Mr. Michael Caddock who were both appointed on 16[th] December 2020. Dr. Pam Chrispin retired at the Annual General Meeting on 14th October 2020. ## Operations Manager: Mr. Ben Hall ## Principal Address: Unit 1b, Woolpit Business Park, Windmill Avenue, Woolpit IP30 9UP ## Independent Examiner: Price Bailey LLP, Tennyson House, Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge CB4 0WZ ## Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4JQ Page **4** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Report of the Trustees ## Principal Objects The principal object of the Charity as defined by its constitution is to provide immediate medical treatment and care to persons in need by reason of accident or other emergency in the geographical county of Suffolk and adjoining areas. This work was first begun nearly half a century ago by the CIO’s predecessor in 1972. SARS’ highly-skilled clinical volunteers provide prehospital care to patients suffering serious or life-threatening medical emergency or trauma. The service is provided without charge and is available to anyone. SARS is the first medical resource on scene in 15% of the incidents attended. The Charity has expanded interpretation of its core objective to include the education of the public in basic life-saving skills, specifically Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of defibrillators. The Charity receives no central government or agency funding and we rely wholly on voluntary grants and donations to enable us to continue saving and prolonging lives. ## Activities in furtherance of Principal Objects During the year under review our volunteer clinicians were mobilised to 356 emergency calls. The Trustees are committed to increasing SARS’ clinical resources to enable an expansion of our response. In furtherance of this strategic objective immediately following the end of the financial year under review a second mobile team was created and operates from a base in Saxmundham, East Suffolk. ## Public Benefit The Charity provides public benefit by delivering its Principal Objects as outlined above. A more detailed description of how public benefit is delivered and recognized is contained in the Charity’s Annual Impact Statement, filed as an appendix with this Annual Report. Page **5** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Organisation and Structure The Trustees are the Charity Trustees as defined by section 177 of the Charities Act 2011. As a medical charity, the Trustees are obliged to ensure that proper arrangements exist to ensure compliance with medical regulation and best practice, and the Constitution of the Charity requires a minimum three Trustees to be clinically registered. The Board of Trustees meet a minimum of four times a year and receives reports from the Operations Manager and Treasurer, to review clinical operations and financial statements and to monitor the day-to-day activity of the Charity. During the financial year under review the Board has held at least one electronic meeting in each month. In addition to monitoring these key features, the Trustees also review progress towards a number of defined strategic objectives and plans, and to consider risk. Medical regulation and risk are overseen by the Clinical Management Committee whose primary objective is to develop and maintain clinical governance procedures to ensure safe and effective care for patients attended by SARS clinicians. The Committee must include a minimum of five SARS clinicians including at least one doctor and one paramedic. The Committee makes a formal report to the Board of Trustees at least once a year. ## Risk Management Risk management is a standing item on the agenda of each Trustees’ meeting and Trustees aim to review a specific area of identified risk on each occasion. During the year under review the most difficult risk has been the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst, like many charities, it has severely impacted the ability to generate income, it has had direct operational impact because our volunteer clinicians have also been directly engaged in assisting the NHS. Trustees have reviewed the financial effects each month and monitored the Charity’s state of affairs carefully. During the period the Charity’s work received some public notice and a number of institutions responded with generosity. As a result the necessary income stream was maintained. It is unlikely that this will be repeated and the Trustees continue to review the financial position each month. Following recent changes in personnel and internal accounting routines the Trustees have undertaken to complete an updated review of risks and of financial control systems during the current financial year. Page **6** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Financial Reporting and Review ## Reporting The Trustees have adopted the option of reporting the Charity’s financial activities through a Receipts and Payments Account supplemented by a Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Charity has no permanent or endowment funding and is wholly dependent on day-to-day cash flow. The Trustees consider this is better reflected using this format. ## Review The Charity had a surplus of receipts over payments amounting to £21,331 for the year ended 31[st] March 2021. As shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31[st] March 2021 the Charity had unpaid liabilities of £4,619 and was not due to receive any additional receipts. The Government restrictions imposed relating to Covid-19 seriously impacted our ability to participate in fundraising at public events, consequently during the financial year 2020-21, donations to the Charity have decreased to £95,676 (2020: £119,280). However, specific funding of £38,030 (2020: £62,425) was also obtained for purchase of items of medical equipment and to cover some core costs. The Charity has responded to the restrictions by increasing its online presence and enabling online and text donations. A greater emphasis has been placed on applying for grants and donations from both charitable and corporate organisations and local authorities to offset the reduced donations from public fundraising events. The direct costs related to providing the pre-hospital critical care by our clinical volunteers have decreased to £100,897 (2020: £113,305). The Trustees made the decision in April 2020, to reduce costs, wherever possible, until the financial impact of the pandemic could be forecast. The new RRV, purchased in March 2020 and not commissioned at that time, and the events van were mothballed until August and October respectively providing a significant saving on road tax, insurance and running costs. Additionally, the planned upgrading of some HQ equipment was also postponed for the year. Page **7** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Reserves The trustees maintain the policy of retaining sufficient cash to meet the total annual fixed costs of the Charity. At 31st March 2021 total available unrestricted cash amounted to £90,535, which is considered sufficient to cover annual fixed costs. Approved by the Board of Trustees on ………………………………………………….. and signed on its Wednesday 15th September 2021 behalf by: ………… **…………………** …………………….. James W **h** at **l** ing - Chairman ………………………………………………….. Harry Richardson - Secretary Page **8** of **19** Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees. Annual Report and Accounts 31" March 2021 SUFFOLK ACCIDENT RESCUE SERVICE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Accouiifs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 2021 Total 2020 Total Note Unrestritted Restritted RECEIPTS Donations 95.676 38.030 133.706 181,705 oihÈr attivitiÈs 10.175 10.175 14,331 Invesknents 26 26 116 Other incorne 24 Revenue T￿ipts 11)5.877 ¥030 143.907 196.176 Sale of assets Total re£eipts 107,877 38,030 145.907 196,176 PAYMENTS Raising funds 112.9841 151xJI 113.4841 115,1211 Charstsble auivtties 175.6871 125.2101 IILV).8971 1113,3051 Revenue payments 188.6711 125.7101 1114.3811 1128A261 PU￿hase of assets 110.1951 110.1951 166J821 Total payments 188,6711 135.9)51 124,5761 1194W81 Net revenue movement in the year Net capital rnovernent in the year 17,206 12.320 110.1951 29.526 18.1951 67.750 166.3821 TOTAL NET RECEIPTS 1921 2.125 21.331 IA68 Co$h fvnd$1o$tyeat end 71J29 5.354 76.683 75?15 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 90.535 7,479 98,014 76,6B3 The attached notes on pa8es 11 and IZ form part ofthese attoub Page 9 of 19 Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees. Annual Report and Accounts 31" March 2021 SUFFOLK ACCIDENT RESCUE SERVICE STATEME14TOF ASSETS ANO LIABIUTIES AS AT 31 MARCH 2021 2021 P4ote Unrestrittèd ReStr￿ted Total 2020 Totsl CASH FUNDS Cash Ét ￿￿k Petty Cash Total Cash Funds .227 308 7.479 97.706 308 76,552 131 90,535 7.479 98,014 76,683 Other MonotsryAssets 3,996 FIXEDASSEfs rEtainEd farthariws use Estimated value at 31st March 2021 71.208 71.208 88,492 UABILMES C¥editor5 due wilhin one ye3r 4.619 4,619 5,358 Photocopier lÈa5e.' due no later that one yr due between l and S yrs 493 863 493 863 493 1,356 The attached note5 on pa8e 11 arKI 12 forni part of these atewrrts The linantial statÈments werè approved bythe Board of Truttees on WÉdngÈday 1sth swhts2W21 and signed on their behalf bv: Qot[[[{VQi James Whatling- Chairman Anne Daultrey- freasurer Page 10 of 19 Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees. Annual Report and Accounts 31" March 2021 SUFFOLK ACCIDENT RESCUE SERVICE Additional Notesto accounts Grants and DonatSor zozi ljnrestricted ReMrKted Totsl 2020 Totsl Dc￿atIonS Local Authority 74.191 21.485 31.230 105,421 28,285 150,593 31,728 95.676 38.030 133 706 181 705 Sale of Assets The ￿barU Rawd RespMse Vehide was sold for £2￿>. Ana￿515 of expenditure. Chawitsble Arti¥itses 2021 UnrÈstritW R¢strKted Totsi 2020 Total Rescue SeMce5 64.254 25.210 89,464 96,318 SupFx)rt Cosis 11,433 11,433 16,987 tharitable aC￿￿tleS 75.687 25 210 1(M) 897 113 305 Purthase of assets During the ye8r. 3 ttems of Med￿al equipment were purthased at a cosi of £10,195 12020.. 2 vehicle5 and 3 item5 Of rned￿31 equipment £66,382) utili5inE fund5 which were donated speuflo1￿ for th￿ purpose. The iiem5 will enaÈ4e our medi￿1 ¥oluTrteers to continue providing crititsl care treatment. FiJÈod Assets Medital Compirter Equipment Equipment Vehicks 2021 Total At 31 Marth 2020 31.263 54,885 88,492 At 31 Marth 2021 29.M) 1,293 40.215 71,208 Fixed Assets are stated at the Irustees, e5tirnate of net realisable value. Page 11 of 19 Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees. Annual Report and Accounts 31" March 2021 SUFFOLK AcaDENT RESCUE SERV Additional Notes to accounts continued Analysis of stsff costs and key management personel A total of 4 staff Ifull time equNalent- 2.51 are emF4oyed by the charitv. No empbyees received more that £60.LMJO during the year.12020- nonel. No TrustÈÈs ￿@￿ed any expensès in thÈ yÈar12020- nill. Related Parbes There were M re13ted party transactions durine the year12020'. Tronel Page 12 of 19 **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## Independent Examiner’s Report ## Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Suffolk Accident Rescue Service I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are set out on pages 9 to 12. ## 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 Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## Independent Examiner's statement 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: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. 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. ## **Michael Cooper-Davis FCCA ACA** For and on behalf of Price Bailey LLP Tennyson House Cambridge Business Park Cambridge CB4 0WZ Date: Page **13** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service** **Appendix to Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended** **31[st] March 2021** ## **IMPACT STATEMENT** _SARS Rapid-Response Vehicle (RRV) SMED26._ https://vimeo.com/555291234 Page **14** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** When addressing the Charity’s aims and objectives and when planning future activities, the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. This Impact Statement allows a fuller description of the Charity’s activities and achievements than is possible within the main body of the Trustees’ Annual Report. In essence, the presence of a SARS responder improves outcomes for patients by: ## **SAVING LIVES DELIVERING VITAL ADVANCED INTERVENTIONS IN THE PREHOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT REDUCING THE RISK OF PERMANENT DISABILITY PROVIDING EFFECTIVE RELIEF FROM PAIN** Immediate medical care is provided by a network of solo-responders in their own speciallyequipped vehicles responding from various locations around the county. They are supplemented by teams of responders using SARS Rapid-Response Vehicles (RRVs). All SARS volunteer responders carry equipment and drugs not normally found on emergency ambulances, thereby significantly enhancing the Charity’s ability to improve patient outcomes and save lives. The Charity’s services are provided without charge to any person in need throughout the geographical county of Suffolk and its adjoining areas. SARS responded to 356 calls in the year ending 31[st] March 2021 at a total cost of approximately £125,000 – the equivalent of £350 per call-out. This is only possible because all SARS clinicians give their time and expertise without charge – effectively saving us several hundreds of thousands of pounds each year. As we move into our 50[th] year of operation, SARS is more responsive and successful than ever before. This is thanks to the dedication and expertise of our clinicians supported by a small team of committed staff at HQ and our non-clinical volunteers. The vital service that we provide has been maintained throughout the Covid-19 crisis. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Jemma Varela, SARS volunteer
Critical Care Paramedic.
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" _We never know what environment we are about to walk into, so we have to be constantly prepared for everything and anything! Positively though, I feel very proud to be working in a team of volunteers at Suffolk Accident Rescue Service that, despite the risks and difficulties that COVID is throwing at us, are still giving up their own time to save lives and look after their communities.”_ Page **15** of **19** Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees. Annual Report and Accounts 31" March 2021 SARS OPERATIONAL STATISTICS 2020/21 356 CALLOUTS EER nom$ ATTEMDE HO 100+ 106 TEAM SHIFTS el•r % hr•mediB er SARS euMieMMs X,. .. 11 urry spouifi COST OF PROVIDIII6 OUR SERVICE £125.000 BUSIEST IIONTH JANVARY £0 SARS TEAM MEMBERS INCIDENTS A￿ENDED 2.$ SIAFF AT HEIWIIJAITERS IOAtr TUFF 20 CHARifY¥oLuAfEERS * * * * MLLI 32 CLIMICAI VOLUMIEERS 8 MEII IIEIIBERS WEICOIIE• 3 IO¢TOP$1 5 IAPAIIEPI ESTABLISHED 1972 149 YEARS) 15% Page 16 of 19 **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## **Saving lives by delivering advanced interventions...** During a seven month monitoring period between September 2020 and March 2021, SARS clinicians were involved in the successful resuscitation and safe transfer to hospital of 28% of the cardiac arrest patients they attended. In the UK, only 10% of patients currently survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We are proud to have helped improve the survival rate of some of these patients including Dave Cleland from Woodbridge, whose wife, Bernie, commented: _“Liam [from SARS] was one of the first on scene attending and, not only did he give my husband the clinical care that he needed, he also went out of his way to explain to me in simple terms what was happening. We were completely stunned when we found out later that Liam was doing this as a volunteer in his own time.”_ _Dave Cleland and his wife, Bernie._ ## **Reducing the risk of permanent disability and providing relief from pain…** _“Thank you to all the team that helped me in my motorbike accident. You helped save my life, I can’t thank you all enough and I will be forever grateful. Keep up the great work, there’s not enough recognition for what you do.”_ _Emma, a patient treated by a SARS volunteer Critical-Care team in 2020_ SARS clinicians carry advanced drugs, including painkillers and sedatives, which are not normally found on frontline ambulances. This enables them to undertake specialist interventions such as sedation and anaesthesia, which would not otherwise be possible outside a hospital environment. Page **17** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** SARS clinicians administered sedation to 30 patients this year and provided additional pain relief to many others. This facilitated procedures such as limb re-locations and enabled the rapid extrication of patients for transfer to hospital. In each case, the patients were accompanied to hospital by a SARS clinician to ensure their condition remained stable throughout the journey ## **Improving patient outcomes…** _A SARS team in attendance at a serious road traffic collision in 2021_ SARS treated 260 patients this year utilising the advanced skills of its volunteers, including clinicians specialising in the field of emergency medicine. Enhanced prehospital treatment of patients included: advanced airway management, defibrillation, cardioversion, temporary electrical pacing of the heart, tracheal intubation, sedation, ultrasound scanning, insertion of arterial lines and anaesthesia. SARS was also mobilised to 96 incidents where our responders were stood-down on scene or before arrival. In 15% of those incidents attended, a SARS clinician/team was the first medical resource to arrive at the scene. ## _“Knowing his life was saved by your quick response makes me and all my family very grateful.”_ (The words of a relative of a patient treated by SARS in March 2021). Page **18** of **19** **Suffolk Accident Rescue Service Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 31[st] March 2021** ## **Jeremy’s Award** In 2021, Dr Jeremy Mauger was awarded the Suffolk Medal for his outstanding voluntary work over the past twenty years. Jeremy is currently our longest serving clinical responder and regularly volunteers hundreds of hours of critical care coverage each year. He will think nothing of getting up from his bed in the middle of night to help someone in their hour of direst need and has created a long legacy of grateful patients who have benefitted from his skills and expertise. Jeremy is an inspiration to us all with his unstinting commitment to helping others and dedication to his local community. He is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award. Congratulations, Jeremy! **----- Start of picture text -----**
Dr Jeremy Mauger with SARS Hon. President,
Cllr Margaret Marks
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## **Suffolk Heroes Awards** Three of our volunteers also received awards from Suffolk’s MPs for vital contributions made to their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. They were Paramedic Steve Murrow (West Suffolk), Dr Andy Mason (Mid-Suffolk) and CCP Liam Sagi (East Suffolk), providing yet more evidence of the selfless dedication of our volunteers. _Steve Murrow (West Suffolk) Andy Mason (Mid-Suffolk) Liam Sagi (East Suffolk)_ As we approach our 50[th] anniversary in May 2022, SARS is immensely proud of all its volunteers, both clinical and non-clinical, past and present, who have enabled our Charity to bring lifesaving care to the people of Suffolk and surrounding areas over such a long period of time. So, here’s to the next 50 years! Page **19** of **19**