Southern Ethiopia - Gwent Health Link

Charity Status of the Link

This item was discussed before item 3 as Caroline was unable to stay for the whole meeting. Caroline stated that auditors had reviewed the Charitable Funds held by the Trust and found that a number of them did not meet the Trust’s Charitable Funds objectives. In order to comply with Charity Law and the Trust Charity’s Governing Document the Sothern Ethiopia Gwent Health Link should seek alternative accounting arrangements. There were two options, namely, a Trust budget or separate Charity. Caroline highlighted the pros and cons of each. The recommendation was to set up a separate charity. Caroline would try to find a Trust accountant who could support the link. The alternatives were discussed and it was decided to consider the options and make a decision at the next meeting.

Caroline was asked to look at the ‘Pennies from Heaven’ scheme where staff could opt to donate the odd pennies of their monthly pay.

Fundraising

Jane, Melrose and Jill met to discuss various fundraising activities. Ideas included Quiz nights, Race night, Band and buffet, Packing bags in Supermarkets, Carol singing, buckets in pubs, plant sale etc. The first event will be held on July 19th when Robyn’s garden in Cardiff will be open to the public. She will sell plants for the link so anyone with plants, please give to Robyn. Jill is performing with her band in Whitchurch RFC on Sept. 27th. Melrose will organise a race night in a local RFC in October. Packing bags in supermarkets to be arranged in Dec. to catch the Christmas shoppers. Peter Smith to make enquiries in Tesco/Morrisons in Ebbw Vale. Carol singing to be arranged by Jill – Dec – everyone welcome.

Next fundraising meeting: August 12th, Caerphilly Birth Centre, 5.30pm
Ceilidh evening July 12th, Abergavenny. Band will cost £350. Help with curry would be appreciated. More tickets need to be sold.

Next visit to Ethiopia

Training workshops:

Nurse Anaesthetists - This course will be aimed at nurse anaesthetists who work in the local hospitals. Their basic training is quite good but they need to be updated. Paul will lead on this assisted by Jill. They will provide a 4-5 day workshop with approx 15-20 candidates. Mothers of Africa will help to support this financially.

Midwifery Skills Workshop - This will be a 4/5 day workshop similar to previous ones held for nurses and midwives in SNNPR and will be based in Hwassa hospital. 3 midwives and Meselech will provide the training on this workshop.  On-site midwifery skills training in the health centres will also be provided.
Midwives will include Melrose, Jane, Carole, Robyn and Brydon. Melrose will lead on the training.

IT/Computers – Training and maintenance of equipment. Vishnu may come or Michelle.

Evaluation – Robyn to continue the evaluation process.

Paediatrics – A gap has been identified here. Biku will speak to Peter Dale.

Health Officers Workshop – this will not be run this time as a masters programme is now being organised as recommended by the link.

Date for next visit will probably be Oct 24th for 2 weeks. Some wish to stay for 10 days.

AOB

Lynne (psychologist) would like to talk to members of the link who have visited Ethiopia and ask questions about their experience so that new members visiting in the future can be adequately prepared. Possible dates are July 29th or 30th in NHH. Date will be emailed.

Melrose met some Ethiopian midwives at the International Confederation of Midwives Conference in Glasgow. She learned that the midwifery curriculum in Ethiopia is being reviewed and Melrose has a contact name for further information.

Grace Thomas attended the Chief Nursing Officers Conference where reports of two other links with Ethiopia were provided, the Conwy and Denbighshire -Hossana Link and Safe Hands for Mothers.

Biku and Robyn attended the THET Conference. Biku gave a presentation. THET are producing a new Toolkit for Links. Examples of the work of the Gwent link are included.

The Community Link has an open day on July 4th. The health link will provide a presentation.

Wales for Africa Conference will be held in Swansea on Friday June 27th.

Date of next meeting – August 7th 2008, 5.15 pm, NHH Education Centre