The South West Regional Anaesthesia Group (SOWRA) was founded by Dr Barry Nicholls and Dr David Conn. In 2008, the organisation’s governance was formalised through the appointment of a Governing Board.
SOWRA is a registered charitable trust, governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the management and administration of the charity in accordance with its governing document. The Trustees oversee the charity’s activities, ensure that its income and assets are applied solely to further its charitable objectives, and are responsible for the stewardship and distribution of charitable funds.
SOWRA was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales in 2011 (Registered Charity No. 1142538).
SOWRA does not have a formal membership structure. Instead, its activities are directed by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the charity’s governing document, which sets out the charity’s objectives and how its income and resources are to be used in furtherance of those objectives.
SOWRA's objects:
To protect and preserve health by the advancement of the standards and education in regional anaesthesia and pain management
In furtherance of this object the charity shall:
i) provide a forum for discussion
ii) encourage awareness of regional anaesthesia and pain management amongst the hospital and community medical and surgical practice.
iii) encourage awareness of regional anaesthesia and pain management amongst the general public.
iv) provide training and educational updates in regional anaesthesia and pain management techniques.
v) promote research for the public benefit in all areas of regional anaesthesia and pain management and to publish the useful results
Geographical limits of SOWRA
The geographical limits of SOWRA (the SOWRA Region) shall include Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset (Taunton to mark northern limit).
Governing structure
The SOWRA is run by a board of trustees
A Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer are appointed form within the trustee body.
Income and Expenditure
SOWRA funds shall be used to advance the groups objects:
This may include
- Provision of equipment related to training in regional anaesthesia for use in NHS institutions in the SOWRA region.
- Providing regional anaesthesia education and training within the SOWRA region.
- Funding clinical and basic science research relating to regional anaesthesia within the SOWRA region.
- Funding initiatives to raise the knowledge and awareness of regional anaesthesia amongst the general public.