A mental health crisis team needs to return to Harrogate “at the earliest possible opportunity”, according to health bosses.
Inpatient mental health services transferred to York.
The adult and children crisis teams, which support people with mental health problems who may otherwise need to go to hospital and includes 29 staff, relocated to Ripon after officials were unable to identify alternative accommodation in Harrogate.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which runs mental health services for the Harrogate district, has conceded the move out of town “cannot be sustained in the long term”.
The quote is contained in a report due before North Yorkshire County Council’s health scrutiny panel this week.
The report also says the trust “fully acknowledged” that the service should be moved back to Harrogate “at the earliest possible opportunity”.
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About 300 people a month use the crisis team for advice, support and assessment.
Naomi Lonergan, TEWV director of operations for North Yorkshire and York told the Stray Ferret:
“A lot of work was carried out to find new accommodation for the crisis teams in Harrogate. Unfortunately at the time there weren’t suitable premises that could accommodate both teams and allow them to work together in providing interventions.
“As a short term solution we transferred the team to a suitable space at our existing trust premises at The Orchards, Ripon. However work is underway to identify potential sites and explore all possible solutions to accommodate crisis teams to enable them to deliver a service across Harrogate and rural district.
“Whilst the team base is in Ripon, our priority is always to maintain face-to-face contact and see people who need crisis interventions in their homes or as close to home as possible. Most people accessing our crisis services continue to be seen in the Harrogate area.
“We have identified rooms in the Harrogate community bases to enable face-to-face contact, as well as using increased community investment in team members to enable more home visits where needed. Where clinically appropriate we are also offering attend anywhere virtual consultations too.”
North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which buys medical services for the county, said the transfer of inpatient beds “released £500,000”, which could be invested in community mental health services.
Have you been affected by this change in mental health services? Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Twelve further coronavirus cases confirmed in Harrogate districtA further 12 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate District in the last 24 hours, according to Public Health England.
It takes the total number of cases up to 3,863.
Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day average, which is the rate up to December 10, stands at 78 per 100,000 people.
It represents a further drop in the rate recently and puts the district third lowest in the county.
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- Two further covid deaths confirmed at Harrogate Hospital
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The R number rose from 0.4 to 0.5 over the weekend after falling consistently since early November.
It means every 10 people infected pass on covid to five others, which means the virus is still diminishing in the district but at a slower rate.
While North Yorkshire’s cases have remained low, it seems likely that the county will remain in tier two.
Last week, local public health bosses said they hoped the county would be downgraded after Christmas.
Harrogate business sets up Irish company as Brexit contingencyA Harrogate business has set up a company in Ireland ahead of Brexit in case trade talks “go horribly wrong”.
David Kinsey, owner of The Kinsey Partnership which distributes golf clothing and headwear worldwide, said he was confident his business will survive any outcome of Brexit.
It comes as today is the last day of crunch talks between the UK and European Union over a post-Brexit trade deal.
Mr Kinsey said he felt the outcome of the talks were “up the air”, but added that he would want to see a deal reached.
He said:
“I would like to see a smooth, easy transition like most would.
“I personally think everybody wants us to get a deal. I am sure all the nations in Europe want us to get a trade deal.”
The Kinsey Partnership imports and exports golf goods to shops and golf resorts in countries like Ireland, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
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Mr Kinsey said, while he cannot plan ahead due to the uncertainty of the trade talks, he had set up a company in Ireland as a contingency.
“I’m in a position where I have set up a company in Ireland, just in case that is something we need in case things go horribly wrong and we can ship and import into Ireland if we have to.”
While the Brexit talks has caused uncertainty for trade, Mr Kinsey said coronavirus has caused the company bigger problems due to a shutdown on people playing golf.
He said the virus has been a “much bigger issue” on stock and trade.
Meanwhile, last week, North Yorkshire County Council played down fears that food is being stockpiled at schools and care homes to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.
NYCC released a Brexit risk assessment, published in September, which states that “there is significant risk of delays at ports that will impact supply chains” and that the authority is evaluating capacity for frozen food storage.
The Stray Ferret asked the county council to update us on its plans for Brexit. In a statement, NYCC said it is “managing any adverse impact” that may arise from Brexit, but said this did not involve stockpiling food.
It comes Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set a deadline for today tor each an agreement on trade talks.
Both Mr Johnson and the EU warned earlier this week that a no deal scenario was a likely outcome.
If no agreement is reached and ratified by December 31 then the UK and EU could impose tariffs on each others goods.
If your company is affected by Brexit in any way, the Stray Ferret wants to hear from you. Get in touch on contact@thetstrayferret.co.uk.
Harrogate hospital set for £800,000 maintenance upgradesHarrogate and District Foundation Trust has been allocated £800,000 for hospital maintenance in a funding announcement from the government.
The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded £600 million across 174 health trusts aimed at tackling critical improvements for hospitals.
It comes as part of a wider £1.5 billion fund announced earlier this year, which also includes plans to modernise mental health facilities, expand A&E capacity and improve infection control ahead of winter.
A total of 1,800 projects have been funded, with six granted funding in Harrogate.
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The trust said the funds will help to tackle backlog maintenance work, including upgrades to the hospital’s water and fire systems.
Harrogate Integrated Facilities (HIF), a subsidiary of the trust which deals with the hospital’s estates, will carry out the work.
Jonathan Coulter, deputy chief executive and director of finance at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and chief executive of HIF, said:
“We’re really pleased to have received these additional funds. They allow us to invest in backlog maintenance and improve the Harrogate District Hospital environment. It is much needed, and very welcome.
“The money is going towards vital upgrades to water systems, fire systems and lifts as well as the resurfacing of the goods yard.”
Matt Hancock, secretary of state for health and social care, said:
“Alongside delivering on our manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals and 20 major hospital upgrades across the country, this investment will help our NHS build back better.
“These crucial maintenance projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to their patients this winter, helping ensure the NHS is always there for you when you need it.”
In August, the trust also received £527,000 to help increase capacity at Harrogate hospital’s accident and emergency department.
Just 21 new coronavirus cases in Harrogate districtA further 21 coronavirus cases were confirmed in the Harrogate District in the last 24 hours, according to Public Health England figures.
It takes the total amount of cases since the start of the pandemic up to 3,782.
Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day average, which is the rate up to December 6, increased to 95 per 100,000 people.
Read more:
- Harrogate district set to get first covid vaccine injections next week
- North Yorkshire tier downgrade next week unlikely, say health chiefs
- More than 1,100 coronavirus cases in Harrogate district during second lockdown
The county-wide rate stands at 104, below the national average of 154.
It comes as seven sites across North Yorkshire are set to offer the coronavirus vaccine next week.
North Yorkshire CCG, which buys medical services for the county, will provide further details when they are finalised.
More than 1,100 coronavirus cases in Harrogate district during second lockdownMore than 1,100 coronavirus cases were recorded in the Harrogate district during the second lockdown.
However, the number decreased dramatically during the second half of lockdown, as recently published Public Health England figures highlight.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second national lockdown from November 5 until December 2 to stem a rise in coronavirus cases.
A total of 1,119 cases were confirmed in the district.
The figure represents a decrease on October’s number, when 1,353 were reported.
The daily coronavirus case increases throughout the second lockdown. Data: Public Health England. Graph: The Stray Ferret.
Daily cases peaked at 95 on November 9 in the district, before dropping to a low of 11 on November 21.
The seven-day average throughout the period also gradually decreased.
The rate hit a record high of 303 per 100,000 people on November 8, before dropping to 90 by the end of the restrictions.
Meanwhile, a total of 12 patients who tested positive for coronavirus died at Harrogate District Hospital during the period, according to NHS England figures.
“Relatively stable” figures
Since the end of the second lockdown, North Yorkshire has been placed in tier two of local restrictions.
The system is expected to be reviewed next week, although local public health bosses have cautioned against any of hope of a downgrade.
Read more:
- Harrogate district set to get first covid vaccine injections next week
- North Yorkshire tier downgrade next week unlikely, say health chiefs
- NHS worker becomes first to receive covid vaccine in Leeds
Harrogate district’s daily cases have been low recently, with a further 20 cases confirmed today. It takes the total number since the start of the pandemic to 3,761.
Meanwhile, the latest seven-day average, which is for the week to December 5, stands at 93 per 100,000 people.
This morning Richard Webb, director of adult care at North Yorkshire County Council, told a media briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents key groups in the fight against covid, that case figures were “relatively stable”.
But he said they were still higher than he would like and the county needed to continue to get them down.
North Yorkshire tier downgrade next week unlikely, say health chiefsNorth Yorkshire’s leading public health experts have cautioned against hopes the county could be downgraded to tier one before Christmas.
The government is due to review the tier system next week.
North Yorkshire, which is in tier two, has a seven-day average infection rate of 103 people per 100,000. This is considerably below the England average of 151.
The Harrogate district’s average is even lower at 93. It fell sharply in the second half of November but has stabilised lately.
Some local areas have seen virtually no infections for weeks but pubs and restaurants have stayed shut because of the tier restrictions.
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This morning Richard Webb, director of adult care at North Yorkshire County Council, told a media briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents key groups in the fight against covid, that case figures were “relatively stable”.
But he said they were still higher than he would like and the county needed to continue to get them down.
Mr Webb said:
“I suspect we may well see caution prevail just simply because everyone is worried about a spike in the New Year.
“But, let’s see. It is all to play for.”
Meanwhile, Dr Lincoln Sergeant, director of public health at the council, said he hoped the county will be downgraded after Christmas.
He added the county needed to get infections down.
Dr Sergeant said:
“It’s important for us to keep the momentum going. I think we can aim for getting to tier one, it’s certainly within possibility if we keep momentum going and if we keep working together.
“But we should not be disappointed if that doesn’t happen before Christmas.”
The briefing also revealed seven sites across North Yorkshire are expected to start offering the coronavirus vaccine from next week.
North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, the body which buys medical services in the county, said it will reveal the location of the sites once they are finalised.
Harrogate district set to get first covid vaccine injections next weekThe first covid vaccines in North Yorkshire will be injected at seven sites across the county next week, it was revealed today.
Amanda Bloor, accountable officer at North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave the news everyone has been waiting to hear at a weekly media briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents all the organisations in the county responding to the pandemic.
Ms Bloor said the sites had been identified but did not reveal where they are.
She said the CCG, which buys medical services for the county, will provide further details when they are finalised.
Ms Bloor described the programme as a “logistical challenge”, but added that it was “fantastic news” that patients were starting to get the vaccine across the country.
Read more:
Planning for the vaccination programme is taking place on a regional level, including East Yorkshire, Hull and North Lincolnshire.
People included in the highest priority category, including those aged over 80 and front line NHS staff, will be the first to be offered the jab.
Ms Bloor said she anticipated that more sites will offer the vaccine in the coming weeks.
She said:
“We are currently in final planning for seven sites across North Yorkshire and York to people in North Yorkshire and York from next week.
“I do anticipate that more sites will come on stream in the following weeks and into the New Year.”
It comes as the first coronavirus vaccines were dispatched to 50 hospitals in the UK as the country embarks on the biggest vaccination programme in British history.
Each hospital received a batch of 975 doses. Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs St James’s University Hospital, is the closest to offer the vaccine to Harrogate.
Sylvia Harris, an 80-year-old NHS healthcare worker who joined the trust when she was 26, was the first to receive the jab in the city yesterday.
Just 16 new coronavirus infections in Harrogate districtThe Harrogate district’s daily coronavirus case figures remain low as just 16 new infections were confirmed by Public Health England today.
It takes the total number of infections in the district since the start of the pandemic to 3,741.
The latest seven-day average rate of infection, which is the rate up until December 4, stands at 93 per 100,000 people. It was 95 yesterday.
No further coronavirus deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital. The total number of deaths remains at 104.
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It comes as the UK embarked on the biggest vaccination programme in history today.
Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, was the first to receive the jab at University Hospital Coventry this morning.
Later today Sylvia Harris, an 80-year-old health worker became the first to be given the jab at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds, which is the nearest hospital to Harrogate to have received vaccines so far.
North Yorkshire has yet to be given the green light to offer the jabs.
NHS worker becomes first to receive covid vaccine in LeedsAn 80-year-old NHS healthcare worker has become the first person to be administered a coronavirus vaccine at the closest hospital to the Harrogate district to receive the vaccine.
Sylvia Harris, who joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust when she was 26, received the jab this lunchtime at St James’s University Hospital just outside the city centre.
There is still no news on when people in the Harrogate district will be offered the vaccine.
Ms Harris, a ward housekeeper who is currently shielding at home, said:
“I miss all the people I work with. I’m so glad I’ve got it done.”
Fifty hospitals across the country have embarked on the biggest vaccination programme in British history. Each hospital received a batch of 975 doses.
Read more:
- Leeds nearest hospital to get first vaccines
- Harrogate charity prepare to transport people to covid vaccinations
- Harrogate district ready for coronavirus vaccine rollout
Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, was the first person in the country to receive the jab at University Hospital Coventry this morning.
This lunchtime Sylvia Harris, 80-yr-old ward housekeeper, was the first of our colleagues to be vaccinated. Sylvia was 26 when she first joined LTHT. Currently shielding at home, she said; “I miss all the people I work with. I’m so glad I’ve got it done.” #CovidVaccine pic.twitter.com/I3pR6qjllA
— Leeds Teaching Hospitals (@LeedsHospitals) December 8, 2020
North Yorkshire still awaits the green light to offer appointments.
The Stray Ferret contacted Yorkshire Health Network, which represents 17 GP practices in Harrogate, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to ask if any residents in the district had been offered the vaccine, but has yet to receive a reply.
An update is expected at a press briefing tomorrow of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies.
Harrogate and District Community Action is set to offer drivers to transport people to vaccination appointments.