The charity arm of the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne is preparing for the next decade with a six- point plan and a flexible approach for the demands of the coming years.

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the Friends of the Yeatman Hospital after it was founded in 1951, when Sherborne was recovering from the Second World War. Friends trustee Mike Sandy said: “The world was a very different place in 1951. Sherborne was recovering from the Second World War. The Yeatman Hospital was still adjusting to the changes and challenges of adopting Aneurin Bevan’s new National Health Service, which was launched three years earlier.”

“You needed ration cards for essentials, such as food and drink, not to mention clothes. Today we face a different challenge, the increased healthcare demands on the NHS and society in general. As we approach 2021, the Friends have agreed a six- point programme of evolution to meet the challenges and changes we anticipate we will need to face during the next decade.” The proposals:

• To continue to support the hospital and community projects.
• To conduct ongoing research of possible future health inspired projects in the Yeatman Hospital and across the community.
• A new financial proposal identifying levels of funding available for projects.
• All projects will be examined and agreed by the trustees in advance of commitment, and after due diligence.
• All projects supported by the Friends will be led by an executive member to monitor and report back to trustees.
• Public transparency will be through the Friends website and the chairman’s report.

Mr Sandy added: “We believe this simple approach will afford us the flexibility we need to adopt to an ever- changing society. The programme will commence from March 2021.”

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