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WESSEX MEDICAL TRUST: GRANT OF FUNDS _______________
Lodged au Greffe on 19th January 1999 by the Finance and Economics Committee
______________________________
STATES OF JERSEY
STATES GREFFE
175 1 9 9 9 P . 1 1
Price code: A
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -
to approve the payment of a grant of £200,000 to the Wessex Medical Trust towards the cost of approved research
projects agreed by the Trustees.
FINANCE AND ECONOMICS COMMITTEE
REPORT
- I nt ro duction
T h e We ssex Medical Trust was formed in 1977 with the purpose of providing essential independent financial
support to the Wessex New Medical School at Southampton University. Statutory funding to the Medical School has always required supplementation through charity donations and sponsorship, in order to attract and retain the best calibre of medical researchers.
T h e T ru st support all fields of medical research throughout Wessex (an area comprising Dorset, Hampshire, The
Isle of Wight, Wiltshire and part of Avon) and the Channel Islands, and provides staff, materials and equipment not funded from statutory sources. The Bailiff s of both Jersey and Guernsey are Vice-Patrons.
- P r e v io us support for the Wessex Medical Trust
It is r ec ognised that Jersey residents receive long-term benefits from the Trust's research activities, through the
furthering of medical knowledge, and that this is quite separate from the specialist treatment provided on a daily basis through the reciprocal health agreement.
T h e Sta tes of Jersey have previously made donations of £100,000 in 1984 and £200,000 in 1988. These donations
have been directed by the Trustees into areas such as research into liver diseases, malignant lymphoma and various childhood diseases and development disorders. The States of Guernsey have also provided substantial support to the Trust, believed to exceed £500,000 since its inception, and in recent years agreed an annual contribution in the order of £80,000.
- R eque stfor further support
T h e We ssex Medical Trust has requested the Health and Social Services Committee to consider making a grant to
assist in funding two major appeals held in 1998, the 21st anniversary year of the Trust -
• to raise £210,000 for pump-priming grants - each of £10,000 - to twenty-one innovative medical research projects into various diseases;
• to support a £500,000 project on Southampton women to research heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
T h e C o mmittee agreed that it would wish to support an ex gratia grant of £200,000 to the Wessex Medical Trust.
The Finance and Economics Committee has also considered the request and believe it wholly appropriate for the Island to contribute to the work of the Trust, particularly in view of the potential benefits to Islanders.
T h e Fin ance and Economics Committee is also recommending that an annual contribution be made to the Trust to
assist with future special projects and would suggest a figure in the order of £50,000.
- A lth ough the Finance and Economics Committee has the authority under the Public Finances (Administration) (Jersey) Law 1967, as amended, to approve the granting of additional monies from the General Reserve, the Committee believes it appropriate to bring this request to the attention of the House.