The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The objective of the Society is to advance the science and practice of technical cardiology and allied subjects by the promotion of improved standards of education and training.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
2024 was a successful year in terms of continuing to provide healthcare professionals with access to high quality training courses and examinations. The work behind such ventures is huge, from those that develop curriculum and deliver the teaching, as well as those who support behind the scenes, write exam questions, provide marking expertise and so many more necessary tasks. SCST is extremely grateful to all involved, especially as the majority of this is undertaken in their own personal time.
Members of the SCST Board have met virtually nearly every month in order to carry out the work of SCST, including the planning of future work streams. SCST has continued to develop its strong links with other bodies by attending meetings with the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHCS) and Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS), as well as the BCS Cardiac Physiology Group. We continue to work with specialist interest groups such as British Society of Echocardiography (BSE), British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS) and British Heart Valve Society (BHVS).
‘The Equivalence Sessions’ have continued to be held every month on a rolling programme as a way of supporting members to gain recognition as Clinical Scientists in Cardiology. Feedback continues to be extremely positive.
The inaugural SCST Annual Conference was hosted in November at Austin Court in Birmingham. The meeting saw delegates gain insight into ‘hot topics’ presented by a host of high-profile colleagues. It was also supported by colleagues from industry who had exhibition stands at the meeting.
SCST administration has been ably undertaken by Tangled Web who continue to help develop and improve member access and content to society benefits.
The SCST branches in both Scotland and Northern Ireland have struggled to maintain their momentum over the last few years, with neither having active officers. It has been proposed that the Northern Irish branch is dissolved but that a Northern Irish group is set up, with the active support of SCST Council. Any residual funds would be transferred to the main SCST account but would be ring fenced to benefit the SCST Northern Irish Group members. Discussions with regard to the Scottish branch are yet to take place.
Going forward, we encourage all members to seek ways in which they can play an active role within their professional body. No matter how small the contribution, every single one of us is important and is what keeps the Society alive, vibrant and relevant for its members. Together we will continue to be the voice of cardiac science and make a real difference.
The financial stability of SCST has continued to improve in 2024 following a strong performance overall. The total income of the charity has increased to £192,598 compared to £170,137. This is due largely to the move toward 'virtual' meetings, examinations and courses. The Foundation and Diploma courses performed particularly well.
Net movement in funds showed a deficit of £7,950 for the year (2023: surplus of £26,232), with cash reserves growing to £343,263 (2023: £318,610). £30,160 of course fees were collected in 2024 in relation to courses taking place in 2025 and so this income has been deferred in the accounts. Additionally, the administration costs were higher in the 2024 year.
It was our ambition to write-off all the old uncollected debtors, which has been achieved this year. The two remaining debtors are both for exhibition stands at the National Update Meeting.
No cash movements have been recorded in the accounts in respect of The Scottish and Northern Irish Branches.
Board and other meetings have mostly been held virtually, resulting in much lower travel and hotel expense.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between 12 and 18 months’ normal expenditure. The trustees consider that the current funds held are appropriate.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Education Committee Report
The Education Committee continues to supervise the design and administer the delivery of courses and examinations delivered by the organisation ensuring that the products delivered are fit for purpose and of sufficient quality to meet the needs of the healthcare professional that seek them out. The Education Committee currently has a membership of 11 individuals with a broad range of clinical and educational expertise.
In 2024 the organisation continued its hybrid approach to course delivery offering a mixture of virtual and onsite courses. Whilst the virtual courses have been incredibly popular allowing with candidates from around the United Kingdom and further, there remains a keen interest in onsite delivery from many candidates. Delivery of the organisation’s examinations through the third-party provider Pearson Vue are now firmly established and this has allowed candidates nationally and internationally to attend examinations in their local area eliminating the need for long journeys prior to examinations.
The society has been able to re-establish a practical award in performing 12 Lead Electrocardiography. The practical award suffered a sudden decline following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic given the required on-site nature of the examination. This remains an area of high interest from the workforce with the organisation receiving a lot of requests to revive the award as a measure of Quality for those performing this vital test. The first sitting of the new award took place in Spring 2024 with further awards expected and a planned expansion to a wider field of test centres.
Plans for future periods
SCST continues to strive to improve patient care by improving training and quality assurance resources. Courses are now able to be held on both a virtual platform and face to face, which has increased accessibility. Examinations are now held at Pearson Vue centres which means more local access for colleagues.
The Cath Lab course and associated examination will expand the portfolio of resource available. Plans are to increase the number of places available on courses, and provide subsidised places for SCST members. Exams will be expanding in order to make them accessible worldwide.
SCST continues to be the voice of all those working within the field of cardiac science in order to gain professional recognition at a national level. The society can only do this with the support of its members and therefore urges them to actively contribute to the work of the Society whenever they are able.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity under the Charities Act 2011. The charitable company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The charity was incorporated as a company on 30 November 1965 and registered by the Charities Commission on 4 September 1980.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Society for Cardiac Science and Technology Ltd (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Society for Cardiac Science and Technology Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit H, 2nd Floor Offices, 40 Murdock Road, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 4PP.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees' continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably and it is probable that income will be received.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenses are included in the financial statements as they are incurred. Expenses include VAT where applicable as the charity cannot reclaim it.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
Branches
Where the branches of the society also hold funds, the accounting transactions of those branches are included in the accounts.
Taxation status
The company is a Charity within the provision of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and hence no Corporation Tax is payable.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Advertising and badge sales
Subscriptions, ECG manual sales, meetings, examination and course fees
Badge and ECG manual costs
Examination expenses
Council meeting expenses
Clerical assistance
Printing and stationery
Postage
Accountancy
Professional fees
Charitable activities includes £3,540 (2023: £3,400) of accountancy costs for independent examination fees.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.
Ten trustees were reimbursed a total of £3,316 for expenses during the year (2023: £7,602). These costs covered £1,865 travel expenses (2023: £2,701), £552 accommodation and subsistence expenses (2023: £1,901), and £899 reimbursement for out of pocket expenses (2023: £3,000).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Material other expenditure includes rent and bank charges.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The deferred income balance as at the year end represents income received in advance for events such as courses and examinations which have not taken place in the current period.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations, grants and other income which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).