Trustee Mike awarded plaque by Rishi Sunak at surgical centre opening

Friday 11th July marked a very special a milestone in the Friarage’s long and varied history with the official opening of the new £35.5m Friarage Surgical Centre.

University Hospitals Tees and Friarage staff gathered eagerly outside in the glorious sunshine as MP for Richmond and Northallerton, Rishi Sunak - who played a large part in securing the development at the hospital spoke about the fantastic new facility, which is estimated to double the number of operations taking place at the Friarage and has cemented the future of the hospital after an uncertain couple of years. The blue ribbon was ceremoniously cut by Friarage scrub nurse, Anne Lamb along with Rishi and public health and prevention minister, Ashley Dalton. Rishi also unveiled the plaque in the entrance, which features the Friends of the Friarage logo. 

The ceremony was a moment to remember for former Friends of the Friarage Trustee, Professor Mike Bramble, who recently stepped down from our board, as he was presented with a plaque for his contribution to our charity by Rishi. Mike (MB, ChB, MD, FRCP) is a retired Consultant Gastroenterologist who started his medical career at Middlesbrough General Hospital moving on to James Cook University Hospital in 1982 where he worked in a number of high-profile roles, with his last appointment being full circle back at the Friarage. 

In 2018 Mike was invited to join our board of trustees and we were delighted that this exceptionally talented and busy man was willing to take up a role with us. From 2018 to 2025 he has offered wise counsel to the board. One local consultant was recently heard to say what a loss Mike is to the Friends because he always asked the challenging questions - and he did - helping to ensure that our charitable funds are used to enhance patients' well being.

It was during Mike's term of office on the board that the Friends made the decision to invest in the FotF Strive Academic Unit, to put in place the renal dialysis unit and more recently, invest in the new robotic cleaning system. Mike has also been a strong supporter of our Eye Appeal which has recently concluded with £200,000 raised to bring vitreo-retinal surgery to the Friarage site.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mike for his expertise and commitment over his long career, but specifically, for the seven years he spent as a Trustee with us. We wish him all the best in his next chapter - thank you Mike!