## **Aim and Purposes**
Frome Market Health Hub (FMHH) is partnered with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) to facilitate the provision of health screening clinics for farmers, their families and agricultural workers who visit Frome Livestock Market, with the broad aim of improving patient’s health. In addition to the services provided by NHS partnership, FMHH also provides regular podiatry care, free of charge to visitors to the Livestock Market and other health services when appropriate (e.g. as a pop-up COVID vaccinations centre).
T he Health Hub is located at the livestock market which is important both as s social and business centre for the farming community. Through FMHH, the NHS is able to reach a group of rural patients who find it most difficult to access traditional health services.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The chief objective of health screening is to detect potential serious mental and physical illness, before it becomes burdensome for either patients or the NHS. While NHS nurses and mental health nurses are funded by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT), FMHH organisation provides two treatment rooms and a dedicated reception area at the market, has purchased special items of equipment, and organised all marketing and communications materials to promote the health hub to the public. Having received a grant from Somerset Community Foundation in 2019, and continues to receive donations from other enterprises, FMHH has funded the services and equipment to run twice-monthly podiatry clinics, all free of charge to patients.
## **Achievements and Performance**
Post pandemic conditions improved for the livestock market and the re-opening of the cafeteria on the site helped gradually to increase footfall to the clinic. It was very satisfying to see that the clinic has been accepted as a part of the many business and social facilities available to the farming community when they visit the livestock market. The type of health screening undertaken has continued as before with the addition of blood cholesterol testing
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and a questionnaire designed for prostate pre-cancer awareness. These two tests have led to referrals to GP practices. Nurses have also highlighted the need for dermatology screening having referred several patients presenting the effects of sun damage.
Our podiatrist has been kept very busy all year and we are now considering increasing her hours. The podiatry clinic has done much to draw in farmers who can be reluctant to visit a nurse. Patients in the podiatry clinic are very often referred to the NHS clinic for blood tests when the podiatrist recognises from her patients’ feet, symptoms of broader underlying health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, atrial fibrillation, plantar fasciitis – etc. The ‘safe place’ created by the podiatrist also encourages patients to confide in her and again, the podiatrist has been able to recommend to her patients the benefits of speaking to the wellbeing practictioner.
Patients wishing to see the podiatrist are advised to book an appointment – as opposed to the drop-in availability of the nursing clinics. This is because podiatry treatments usually take longer and many patients need repeat treatments, and there are only 5 treatment sessions in the time available.
During the year there were several health-related talks held covering specific issues such as prostate cancer awareness, breast cancer and menopause – all were well attended. The Health Hub has attracted donations from well-wishers such as the local Lions Club and National Farmers Union along with smaller donations from events such as local carol services.
## **Financial Overview**
Throughout the year the organisation made regular payments to our freelance podiatrist who charges a set fee of £160 for a morning’s clinic. The podiatrist invoices the organisation monthly and the total usually, but not always, covers two morning sessions each month, i.e. £320.00 per month. This year the organisation paid the podiatrist £3,040.00
Two extraordinary payments were made to D Bourne, reimbursements for the hospitality at the Health Hub cafeteria of two sets of visitors; firstly a group of donors from NFU and secondly for a media day to promote the Hub. Total £165.40
Donations were received totalling £4119.95 during the year with a further £6.64 in bank interest. The cash balance at 01/04/2023 was £5,164.30. Our thanks to the NFU and to the local community efforts for their generosity and support.
## **Reserve Policy**
As the NHS clinics are subject to funding renewal from October 2022 to September 2023, it does not seem sensible, or necessary to apply for further grant donations. The pattern of payments is now set and there are sufficient funds in the bank to cover our needs for the next 12 months and beyond. The organisation’s policy therefore is not to hold a reserve but to seek further funds from grants or donations when there is need. When required FMHH has been assured of a further grant allowance from SCF and other donors have been identified. An application will be made in good time, before funds are needed.
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## **Volunteers**
Throughout the, year the organisation has again been supported by NHS Mendips Health Connectors who have sent representatives to the livestock market, regularly, to help build awareness of the health hub clinics and encourage potential patients to visit. The Health Hub is also greatly assisted by the very welcome presence at the market of the Market Chaplain and Farming Community Network (FCN) volunteers, all of whom are known by our target audience.
The organisation is extremely grateful to all our trustees who have been generous with their time and skills. In particular, the organisation has benefited greatly from the advice and production of marketing and communications materials supplied free of charge by Mole Valley Farmers Ltd. The organisation could not function without the livestock market’s space set aside to facilitate two treatment rooms in a reception area withing their office suite and the weekly advertisements for the health hub on their own website. Financial accounts and advice are given freely by Old Mill Accountancy Limited, for which the organisation is most grateful.
## **Structure Governance and Management**
The partnership of NHS with FMHH is a fine example of a public body working alongside the voluntary sector for public benefit. The founding trustees were approached, on the basis of individual skill sets. Our Chairman is a retired farmer with extensive farming knowledge and excellent ‘soft’ skills in relating to farmers’ lifestyles and stresses. A Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset with extensive experience in mental health in the county, accepted the invitation to become a trustee and has been a driving force in outlining the key areas where the organisation can have most impact. We asked the partner who heads the rural side of a large accountancy firm to be our finance advisor; a senior member of Mole Valley Farmers Ltd who understands the needs of farmers and is able to communicate through the MVF newsletters. Two trustees were recruited this year: firstly, the organisation is delighted to welcome a retired psychiatric nurse and representative of the FCN charity to the board, and also the FLA’s finance director has taken over from the former market manager supplying on site help and assistance with the interface between clinic and the business of the market. All Trustees provide invaluable help and the organisation is grateful for their input.
Finally, the writer is Trustee Administrator for the organisation. The board works extremely well together and has been supportive and constructive throughout the process of bringing the Health Hub to life. The governing document outlines a rotational arrangement at 2-, 3- and 5-year intervals. With two new trustees this year, there is no need to rotate those remaining.
## **Administrative Information**
Frome Market Health Hub is situated at Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, BA11 2QB. The administrative contact for all correspondence is: Mrs Diana Bourne, of Yarnfield Cottage, Maiden Bradley, Warminster, BA12 7HY.
Finance Officer: Mr Andrew Vickery, Head of Rural, Old Mill Accountants, Malltravers House, Petters Way, Yeovil, BA20 1SH
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## **Frome Market Health Hub**
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023
|**RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
**Receipts**
Receipts from donors
Bank interest received
Total receipts
**Payments**
Podiatry chair
Podiatrist
Hospitality
Bank charges
Total payments
**Net surplus/(deficit) for year**
Bank current and deposit accounts at 1 April 2022
Bank current and deposit accounts at 31 March 2023
**STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
**Assets**
**Cash Funds**
Bank current account
**Liabilities**
Podiatrist
Bank charges
**Net Assets at 31 March 2023**|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
4,119.95
6.64
4,126.59
-
3,040.00
165.40
2.30
3,207.70
**918.89**
4,245.41
5,164.30
5,164.30
-
0.10
5,164.40|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
731.98
1.37|
|---|---|---|
|||733.35|
|||207.89
1,280.00
1.30|
|||1,489.19|
|||**(755.84)**
5,001.25
4,245.41
4,245.41
320.00
0.10|
|||3,925.31|
The financial statements for the year were approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by:
………………………………… ………………………………… Martin Brown Andrew Vickery Chairman and Trustee Finance Officer and Trustee
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