AGM June 6th 2007

1. Welcome by Steve Pascoe - Chairman

• Steve welcomed the 21 attendees, including Rachel Lewis and Ali James of the Physiotherapy Department, and thanked them for their attendance on an evening when England were playing an important European Championship football qualifying match.
• Apologies were received from, amongst others: Arthur Ogbourne, Tim Pryce-Jones, Dorothy Beard, Tony Bigglestone, Alan Francis, Keith Bundell, Lynda Williams, Nick Rogers, Jerry Proud, Caroline Wood and Zena Desbottes

2. Membership report by Phil Street - Secretary

• Phil reported that the membership base (96 members) remained fairly static but that attendance at the weekly meetings has fallen slightly from the previous year. Weekly attendance now varying between 10 and 16 attendees. This has meant that the finances have now stabilised with an average weekly loss of £15. Consequently we are losing money on evenings where attendance is lower than average.
• The physiotherapy staff, in particular the new members of staff, were commended for their flexible approach in catering for the needs of the attendees.
• The content of gym sessions being stretch related with some cardio-vascular work was confirmed.
• Attendance in the pool sessions still remains lower than ideal and it was agreed that, to reduce the under-utilisation of the pool sessions, new members who only wanted to participate in the pool sessions should be encouraged. The two half-hour pool sessions will remain unchanged, commencing at 7.30pm and 8.00pm with activities being agreed on the night with the physio.
• The policy for welcoming new members was raised and believed to be appropriate - however very few new referrals have been seen this year.
• Branch session "donations" are to remain at suggested levels of £4.00 for gym and be £4.00 for hydrotherapy. All first "introductory" sessions will continue to be free.
• It seems increasingly likely that the BRI group, which has been "suspended" for several months, will close permanently and the group extended its welcome to all the former BRI members who wished to transfer.
• It was advised that the 49 gym and 42 pool sessions during the year cost the group £2,905.
• Nick Boyce assisted by Phil has revamped the website. The group gave a special vote of thanks for all the work carried out by Nick.
• The complexity of the secretary’s role was discussed at length and it was decide to split the main roles into two; a General Secretary and a Financial Secretary. The General Secretary to coordinate all internal and external communication and representation issues whilst the Financial Secretary, assisted by several Assistant Secretaries, would manage the weekly meeting activities principally finance.
• Phil and [another member] are working on an information booklet, locally focussed for AS patients. Any contributions or suggestions welcomed - please contact Phil.
• National Council - Fergus Rogers sadly passed away last November and has been succeeded by Jane Skerret. The offices have now moved to newly acquired premises in Richmond, Surrey, which has been named "The Fergus Rogers Centre". A fund for patient welfare and research has been established in Fergus’s name (further details can be found within the latest copy of the journal)
• The NASS AGM is due on 17^th November 2007 in the RAC Club, Pall Mall, with Professor Paul Wordsworth being the guest speaker. Please contact Phil if you have any agenda items or would like to attend.
• Phil is working with NASS on the lobbying campaign for the case for anti-TNF drugs.
• Phil was applauded by the group for the amount of effort, often unseen, that he puts into ensuring the success of the group and thanked for agreeing to continue with a major representative role within and on behalf of the group.

3. Treasurer's report by Lesley Ounsworth

• As reported above, losses have been seen with the year-end closing balance being £468-04. Including donations of £25 this represents a loss for the year of £258-22. The group agreed to monitor the situation closely but drew comfort from information that planned fund raising activity in the coming year together with, hopefully some refund of gift aid contributions should help close the gap.
  We only need 2 extra attendees per week to break even.
• The possibility of payment of donations by standing order was discussed at length with the overwhelming consensus view being that the current weekly voluntary payment should continue.

4. Fundraising - Phil Street

• It is likely that the branch may be able to benefit from the Gift Aid tax concession; Phil continues to progress this with help from a small team.
• Future group development activity including social events was discussed and a small committee led by Jonathan Powell and Phil will take this forward.
• Collection boxes will again be distributed this year. If anyone has a suitable location please contact Phil.
• The inaugural meeting of the group was on 8^th March 1998 consequently 2008 will be the 10^th anniversary. It is planned to hold an anniversary dinner at the Masonic Hall in Stapleton (courtesy Keith Bundell) and the fundraising sub-group will soon be starting preparations after the meeting declared support for the event.
• Phil is investigating the group becoming an agency for the Waverley Trust whereby we receive a 25% commission for ticket sales.

5. Address by Rachel Lewis, Physio-Rheumatology Department

• Rachel thanked all the members and committee for their continuing commitment to the success of the group.
• The Southmead unit continues to grow in stature with 500 patients and is now acknowledged as a national leader in its field.
• Rachel advised that the physio staff remained very motivated and that there is great interest in joining the group from new members joining the department. It is also planned to reintroduce WATSU (water relaxation) sessions when a planned training programme is completed.
• The Rheumatology Physio Dept. continues its regular patient review and recall system, however, in recent times the number of new AS patients has continued to fall with those on recall showing improvements.
• Members were advised that the role of the department has been enhanced in that it will normally be the prime point of contact for initial self referral and patients should contact the help line 0117 959 5993 for initial advice and if appropriate onward referral to specialist and consultancy services. Rachel advised that the aim of the department was to respond to each call with an initial consultation with a department member within 48 hours of receipt of a call (this is a 24 hour answer phone system, often personally answered during the day otherwise Please leave a message AND your contact number)
• The question of NSAIDs and painkillers was raised. Rachel advised that although a small number of Cox 2s are still available (advice is available through the department) use of older style NSAIDs is the generally recommended medication.
• Bristol had the highest participation rate in the Phosomax study - the results are due to be published soon.
• The national centre for AS at Keele University is due to carry out a life-style study and members may be invited to participate. This is a follow-up to the previous study 10 years ago.
• The new hospital, financed by PFI is due to be constructed by 2012. The department is fighting for the retention in the plans of a hydrotherapy pool. Phil was given the mandate to lead any positive campaigning and access to funds for incidental expenditure.
• The meeting commended Rachel and all the physiotherapy department staff for their commitment and dedicated efforts in helping the group and its members.

6. Election of officers: Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary

The following were elected:

Chair	Steve Pascoe
General Secretary	Phil Street
Financial Secretary	Paul Denning
Assistant Secretary	Jonathan Powell
Assistant Secretary	Dave Jeffery
Treasurer	Leslie Ounsworth

Dave is facing major surgery this month - consequently his duties will be delegated as appropriate. The group gave him their very best wishes.

7. Any other business

• Paul has been updating the contact list and members were reminded to advise him with details of any changes to personal details.
• Attendees were reminded that individual NASS membership (£12 p.a. (£1 per month) for employed people - £3 p.a. for unwaged is required to cover insurance when attending the group. Additional benefits include a twice-yearly magazine that covers all aspects of AS including up-to-date advances in treatment. Forms available from Phil.

Some of the last remaining "North Bristol NASS" T-shirts were sold raising £35.00. The very last few can be purchased for £5.00 each - please contact Phil for colour/sizes available.

• Annual Awards
  • Physio of the Year: Simon Gorrick
  • Highly Commended Physio: Ali James

The meeting closed at 8.35 p.m.

For further information please contact Phil Street
Email: phil@bristolnass.co.uk, Telephone 0117 377 6207 or 07775 638048