The Friends operate through a Board of Trustees as shown in the panel on the right.

The Trustees believe that the wide range of skills and experience of its members enables it to operate effectively to deliver its charitable purpose of the advancement of health in North Berwick and the surrounding area. Its charitable activities were expanded in November 2022 to include:

• promoting the welfare of the patients of the Edington Hospital (“the Hospital”);
• supporting the staff of the Hospital in delivering quality patient care;
• assisting with facilities or equipment to enhance the performance of the Hospital and the patient experience;
• providing amenities for patients who are cared for in the community by District or other Nursing Staff or other health professionals;
• providing grants to support individuals with specific health needs or who need to travel to obtain expert treatment outside the local area;
• campaigning where necessary and appropriate for the provision, retention, improvement or restoration of health services in North Berwick and the surrounding area; and
• taking any action which, in the opinion of the Trustees, is incidental or conducive to the above activities of the Trust, including co-operation with other bodies.

For the avoidance of doubt, ‘health’ includes physical and mental health, and encompasses chronic as well as acute conditions.

Trustee vacancies arise from time to time and applications will be considered from persons whose expertise and/or experience can contribute to the achievement of the above objectives. On occasions, Trustees may also consider co-opting persons for a limited period, for example, where they have a particular skill or expertise which would assist the Trustees with a specific issue or project.

We are grateful for the assistance
of Dr Lottie Hutchison and Nurses Gaynor Blacklock, Jennifer Manning and Jenn Scott as health advisers.