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 and facilitating health related talks).
The 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 continuing ad hoc 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
Having run the Health Hub at the market for two years, it is 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 and a
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questionnaire designed for prostate pre-cancer awareness and there is a pilot scheme in progress for specific dermatological conditions caused by sun damage using camera technology. These tests together with practitioner vigilance have led to referrals to GP practices and other specialist services.
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 practitioner.
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.
Following on from successful and well attended talks on issues such as prostate cancer awareness, breast cancer and menopause – the Health Hub is discussing with the local branch of MacMillan with regard to holding talks and other possible mutually beneficial events.
During the course of this year FMHH received an approach from The Richard Oatley Foundation Trust with a view to offering support to FMHH. The Oatley Foundation was set up in the name of a wealthy local farmer who’s wish was for FMHH to be one of several beneficiaries of his will. The approach was timely as the Health Hub is beginning to outgrow the facilities it has used free of charge since October 2019 and talks have begun with regard to the provision of a purpose-built facility on the site of the livestock market. By the end of this financial period, building plans have been drawn up and tenders invited from suppliers. With finance provided by the Oatley Foundation an independent project manager has been appointed to deal with the schedule of works and the build programme. The Oatley Foundation has indicated that a suitable and affordable budget of around £400,000 can be committed once FMHH has presented an acceptable business case report to support the donation. As a result of this proposed project, the trustees of FMHH are working closely and transparently with the trustees of the Richard Oatley Foundation to push forward in this transformative offer of support.
It has always been the intention of FMHH trustees to grow the partnership with the NHS and the new building will enable increased use beyond the single morning per week. It will comprise four treatment rooms and the option of a movable wall to accommodate larger groups when required for talks by other health providing organisations as well as a broader offer of services such as a physiotherapist, dedicated space (rather than shared) for the podiatrist and therefore a more useable, daily use of the facility.
During the year, FMHH received the long-awaited permanent funding commitment from the NHS. This commitment is a key factor that the Oatley Foundation relied upon to fund a purpose built facility at the livestock market.
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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 £3,740.00.
In September 2023 FMHH took a stand at the Frome Agricultural Show at a cost of £150.50. Additional printed materials were needed at a further cost of £659 and this cost was paid by a donation from The Richard Oatley Foundation for this specific purpose.
An extraordinary payment of £750 + £150 VAT was made to Old Mill Accountancy for professional advice regarding a specific query about VAT liability in connection with the proposed new building project. This balance was paid just after the year end in April 2024.
Donations were received totalling £9,351.50 during the year with a further £29.01 in bank interest. The cash balance at 01/04/2024 was £9,992.41. Our thanks to the NFU and to the local farming community efforts for their generosity and support.
Reserve Policy
FMHH has not needed to apply for further grant donations this year. The pattern of payments is set and there are sufficient funds in the bank to cover our needs for now. In the coming months if the new building proposal proceeds, FMHH will look to recover outgoing costs to suppliers from the Richard Oatley Foundation Trust. In all likelihood, there will be a change in financial activity ure in the coming year and an application for further donations will be sought from Somerset Community Foundation if the need arises. 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.
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
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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 last 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 Flnancial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 Totsl 202> Totsl RECEIPTS AND PAYMETrItSACCOUP Recelpts from donors 4,119.95 731.98 Bank interest received 1.37 Totsl recelpts 4.126.59 733.35 Payments Podiatry chalr Podiatrist Hospitsllty 207.89 L280.(M) 3,1140.00 165.40 Bank charges Tots5 payments 3,207.70 1,489.19 Net surplus/(deflclt) foryoar 918.89 1755.841 BaThkcurrent and depositac¢ounts at IApril 2022 Bank currentand dep05ttatcounts at 31 March 2023 4,245.41 5.16430 5,(K)1.25 4,245.41 ATEMEOFA$SE7sAND LFABILMES Cash Funds Bank currentaccount 5.164.30 4.245.41 ilabllltles Podiatrist 320.00 Bank charges NetAssets at31 March 2023 o.io 5.164.40 o.io 3,925.31 The flnancial Statements forthe yearwere approved bythe trurtees on signed on their behalf and Martin Brown ChalTm3n andTrustee Andrewvickery Finance Officer andTrustee