QUESTIONS have been asked and answered about the way monies gifted to the Strathmore Hospice have been handled amid an allegation that cash destined for the Forfar facility has gone directly to the NHS.
One reader contacted the "Dispatch" and "Herald" last week to seek clarification on the matter which, she stated, was causing her "some distress."
She said: "It has recently come to my attention that donations, bequests, collections and other mon
ies destined for Strathmore Hospice are going directly to the NHS.
"It appears that only donations, bequests etc., specifically addressed to Lippen Care benefits the hospice.
"In the minds of local people Lippen Care and Strathmore Hospice are one and the same."
She stated that, given it was the members of Lippen Care who worked, and continue to work, tirelessly and selflessly to provide the funds to establish and maintain Strathmore Hospice, then surely the two are synonymous.
AnomalyAnd she asked: "Why has this anomaly occurred; is it widely known; can it be rectified and who can explain?"
The questions raised concerns that monies and bequests gifted by local families to the Strathmore Hospice - and there have been many - have been "swallowed up" by the National Health Service, rather than being used specifically for the benefit of those attending the hospice at the Whitehills Health and Community Care Centre.
Implications abound and the reader asked that the matter is sorted urgently so that those intending to gift money specifically for the hospice are assured it will not leave Forfar.
In the past money has been gifted at funerals, while family events, from birthday to anniversary parties, have seen donations for the Strathmore Hospice being given, rather than presents.
Some individuals may be considering including the Strathmore Hospice in their will, but if it is only donations, bequests etc., specifically addressed to Lippen Care which benefit the hospice then the reader wants that to be made clear to avoid any confusion and upset in the future.
Responding to the concerns, the Lippen Care Executive Committee stated: "While we appreciate that "In the minds of local people, Lippen Care and Strathmore Hospice are one and the same", we would make the following points.
"Lippen Care is the charity, while Strathmore Hospice more specifically defines the building in which the care is provided.
"The building of Whitehills Health and Community Care Centre provided the opportunity to create a hospice within the building, and Lippen Care, with valued support from the local community, raised the required funds.
"Sums donated to Lippen Care, apart from minimal administrative costs, are used specifically for patient care, medical equipment, family comforts and the training of various nurses and local GPs in palliative care provision.
"A bequest form has been produced, with copies held by local solicitors, which asks that appropriate bequests be made payable to Lippen Care.
"We, the Executive Committee of Lippen Care, acknowledge with gratitude the support received from the local community, without whom the facility would not have been possible, and welcome all contributions which enable the ongoing support of our local hospice.
"We have always maintained an open policy, our books are audited annually and any items purchased with money gifted to Lippen Care are detailed.
"Anyone with any concerns can contact us at any time to view the accounts - we have nothing to hide."
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside added: "NHS Tayside can reassure anyone who has donated or plans to donate to the hospice that donations made to Strathmore Hospice at Whitehills are used for the benefit of patients in the unit.
"These donations are not put into general funds.
"n fact, if members of the public who donate money have a specific wish for that money, we are always more than happy to accommodate their wishes."
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