How your Will can give lasting help to patients at The Alfred a brief guide

Transcription

1 How your Will can give lasting help to patients at The Alfred a brief guide

2 Founded in 1871, The Alfred in Melbourne is Victoria s oldest hospital operating on its original site. Today, it is one of Australia s leading hospitals and is also internationally recognised and respected as one of the world s groundbreaking healthcare providers. With over 4600 staff, The Alfred provides the most comprehensive range of specialist medical and surgical services in Victoria.

3 The Alfred hospital in Melbourne saves the lives of thousands of people every year... A critically ill or injured person is admitted to The Alfred every hour of every day. Perhaps you, or someone dear to you, has already known such a day? And felt the worry and uncertainty of what may lie ahead. The Alfred has a long, celebrated and dependable history. We can be relied on to be here when you need us most. Through the horror of the Bali bombings, the tragedy of the Longford gas explosion and the shocking nightmare of the Black Saturday bushfires, Victorians have been cared for by The Alfred. As a critical care hospital, The Alfred s patients are among the sickest of all hospital patients. You will be helping people who come here desperately needing our help, people suffering from heart problems, burns, cancer, trauma or organ failure. You will be helping us implement vital research and education programs. Remembering The Alfred in your will helps us to stand ready. To be prepared. To have the best possible equipment and medical expertise to cope with any emergency. Your gift will help save lives.

4 My decision to make a bequest to The Alfred was very easy Lorraine remembers clearly her first day at a new job in I had a car accident on my way to work that morning, she says. And instead of work, I found myself in an ambulance heading straight back to The Alfred. Incredibly, Lorraine had only the week before finished 24 years working at The Alfred, which had started with her nurse s training in It was a tremendous place for learning and I based my whole working life on what I d learnt from The Alfred how the matrons managed the hospital, she says. Lorraine retired as a distinguished hospital administrator in She still regularly attends The Alfred and understands the hospital s need to keep upgrading equipment and to invest in vital research. My decision to make a bequest to The Alfred was very easy, she says. I know first-hand the excellent work that is done and the lives that are saved and I m very happy to make this gift.

5 The Alfred has given me more years of life than I expected The softly-spoken and charming Hernan first came to The Alfred in He was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and has been regularly attending the hospital ever since. Currently in remission, Hernan credits his good state of health to The Alfred. It has given me more years of life than I expected, he says. He also believes a positive mental attitude is crucial and looks after himself well, drinks lots of water, eats a balanced diet and keeps fit by regularly walking and riding his bike. Born in Peru, the 64-year old Hernan has lived in Melbourne for the past 37 years, more than half my lifetime. He decided the best way to show his appreciation to The Alfred was to make a bequest in his will. I think it s vital for this great hospital to continue research into the latest technology to fight disease and save lives, he says.

6 How to leave a gift to The Alfred in your Will Even if you haven t already written your will, it is a quick and easy process and making a gift to The Alfred in your will is simple and straightforward. First of all, it might be helpful to look at the different ways you can choose to leave a gift in your will and decide which option is the best for you. And then the next step is to see a solicitor to help with any questions you have.

7 1. Residual gift When all the other gifts in your will have been made and every expense to finalise your estate has been paid, the remainder is known as your residual estate. A gift from here is usually expressed as a percentage. Many people choose this option because they know their gift will keep its value over time. So, when your will comes to be read, your own wishes have remained true to your intent. Also, if your estate grows or shrinks due to inflation or unforeseen events, this gift will adjust proportionately to reflect those changes. 2. Pecuniary gift A pecuniary gift is a gift of a set amount of money. Although a pecuniary gift means The Alfred would receive a set amount of money, with the passage of time, the real value of the amount often reduces because of inflation. 3. Specific gift A specific gift is where you leave a specific item to someone in your will. Examples might be a particular piece of furniture, an item of jewellery or a work of art. Although a gift of a specific asset is clearly defined, sometimes during a lifetime these specific items can be sold or even lost and the gift does not then occur and so your wishes are not able to be met. The best type of gift you can leave The Alfred in your will is a residual gift because a residual gift keeps its value over time.

8 How to word a gift to The Alfred in your Will If you would like to leave a residual gift to The Alfred, here is an example of the wording you can use: I devise and bequeath the whole of my estate or (...) % of my estate or the residue of my estate (whichever is appropriate) to The Alfred, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria At The Alfred, the areas of greatest need change all the time and so it is preferable that your gift be for general use, as in the example above. However, here are two examples of wording you can also include in your will if you would like your residual gift to be used for a specific purpose at The Alfred. 1. If you would like your gift to be used for research and education, please include the words: To be used for the purposes of research and education at The Alfred. 2. If you would like your gift to be used for the treatment and care of patients, please include the words: To be used for treatment and patient care at The Alfred.

9 What better gift than the gift of life? Diane Deeming Bequest Director Making a gift to The Alfred in your will is a wonderful way of leaving an enduring gift and making sure that a cause dear to your heart is reflected in your wishes. I look forward to meeting you, to thank you in person and talk to you about how you would like your own gift used to help improve patient care at The Alfred. Also, if you would like your gift to be used for a specific purpose in the hospital that is especially important to you, you can have the peace of mind of knowing we can do this for you. Please ring me on (03) for a confidential conversation or to arrange a personal visit.

10 The least I can do is remember The Alfred in my will For many years, Gene had suffered a painful weakness in his right ankle. After innumerable consultations he was eventually referred to The Alfred. There he was diagnosed with a rare vascular condition and subsequently treated. That was a huge turning point in my life, he says and really I have never looked back. Gene and his wife of 51 years, Cynthia, migrated to Melbourne from England many years ago and now enjoy their retirement on the Mornington Peninsula. They are both very grateful for the expertise of The Alfred s medical staff that has enabled Gene to enjoy a better quality of life. Together they have made a decision to leave a gift in their will to the hospital. As Gene explains it: They did the right thing by me. The least I can do is remember them in my will.

11 A gift in your Will to The Alfred could give lasting help to patients like: Philip: who suffered nearfatal burns injuries after an industrial accident. Neil: whose life was saved after 100% heart arterial blockage. Veronica: who survived life-threatening injuries after a car accident. Shannah: whose life was saved after sudden respiratory failure struck.

12 Making a gift in your Will is a wonderful way to give lasting help to patients at The Alfred. Your gift will live on to help save lives. Thank you so much. The Alfred Foundation The Alfred, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic 3004 PO Box 2021, Prahran, Melbourne, Vic 3181 Telephone: foundation@alfred.org.au Website: ABN This is intended as a general guide only and is not provided as legal advice. We suggest individuals obtain their own legal advice in relation to making their will.