Harriett Baldwin today welcomed confirmation from NHS Worcestershire that new accounting rules for NHS charities will not affect local Hospital Leagues of Friends. A new accounting rule, IAS 27, could mean that donations to hospital charities become part of the NHS budget. Harriett Baldwin wrote to Paul Bates, Chief Executive of NHS Worcestershire to express her concern about the possible impact on the League of Friends of Malvern Hospital, Pershore Hospital League of Friends and Tenbury Hospital League of Friends, all of which do wonderful fundraising in the West Worcestershire constituency. Harriett Baldwin said, “The Hospital Leagues of Friends are independent charities and the NHS has no right to account for these funds as their own. I welcome the reply that I have had from NHS Worcestershire confirming that this will be respected.”