Care home visits to continue through lockdown

Care home visits will continue in North Yorkshire despite the country entering a second national lockdown.

The county council restricted visits during October but advised homes they could relax the rules in November to allow one designated visitor for each resident.

Officials have said the measure will continue through lockdown, but homes which report an outbreak will have to restrict visits.

Richard Webb, director of adult social care at the county council, said he was pleased that new government guidance will allow visits to continue.

He said:

“We know how very important it is to the mental health and emotional wellbeing of residents and their friends and families for visits to care settings to take place, if at all possible, without jeopardising safety,

“When covid-19 infection rates began to rise across communities in September we asked care homes to pause routine visits so as to protect residents.  However, we set up a task group which included residents and families to look into how visits could be made safe long-term.

“We acted on their recommendations so that from the start of November we could ask  all care homes to be open for one visitor for each resident, subject to keeping to rules on hygiene, physical distancing and protective equipment.

“We are very pleased that the new national lockdown regulations will enable these visits to continue.”

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It comes as the government has to set out further guidance to encourage care homes to allow visitors through lockdown.

The advice reiterates the use of PPE and social distancing when allowing visitors into homes.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire has also bid to be part of a national pilot for care home visits.

The scheme, which was revealed by care minister Helen Whately last week, would allow one relative or friend of a care home resident to be treated as a key worker.

This would enable people to visit loved ones in homes during the winter, though no dates when this might be implemented have been revealed.

Call to create Harrogate Town Council

Liberal Democrat councillors have called for the formation of a Harrogate Town Council once Harrogate Borough Council is scrapped.

The current two-tier council system in North Yorkshire is set to be replaced as part of the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s.

It means North Yorkshire County Council and the seven district and borough councils — including Harrogate — will no longer exist.

The county council and the seven districts are submitting rivals plans to government on how a new single-tier structure should look.

Now, Liberal Democrat councillors have urged both Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, and Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, to include a town council for Harrogate as part of their plans.

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Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Lib Dems on the borough council, said:

“It seems almost certain now that the days of two-tier government are numbered and that the borough council will soon be dissolved, with powers and responsibilities transferred to a new unitary authority.

“I believe that it is essential that services that apply to Harrogate only are devolved to a local level and to do that we will need to form a new town council, along the same lines as Ripon City Council and Knaresborough Town Council.”

Cllr Geoff Webber, leader of the Lib Dems on the county council, also supports the move.

What would a town council do?

Town and parish councils run services such as community centres and play areas, as well as maintaining bus shelters. Councillors are elected to serve on them.

The councils can also charge a precept as part of council tax bills to fund the services provided.

Under its plans, the county council has promised further powers for towns and parishes in a move it describes as ‘double devolution’.

The district’s plan for an east/west model has also pledged to hand further powers to parishes, should they want it.

It would see the councils able to run services and take on additional responsibilities.

The Stray Ferret has approached both council leaders for a comment on the issue, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Devolution — the story so far

Councils are in the process of submitting plans to ministers on how they would shake-up local government in North Yorkshire.

County councillors voted to submit the authority’s single council plan on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Borough Council, Scarborough Borough Council and Craven District Council have all backed submitting an east/west model.

Ryedale District Council, Richmondshire District Council, Hambleton District Council and Selby District Council voted on the issue last night.

Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, will decide on the government’s preferred option.

Whichever proposal he chooses, it will result in both the county council and the district and borough councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, being scrapped and replaced by one or more single-tier authority.

Record daily number of covid infections in Harrogate district

Ninety-six people in the Harrogate district — the highest daily total since the pandemic began — tested positive for covid, according to the latest daily figures from Public Health England.

Harrogate west and Pannal has recorded the most new infections in the district in the last seven days, with 41.

Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley has recorded the fewest, with five.

It was also revealed today that Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating 24 coronavirus patients – an increase of eight on last week.

The figure was published today by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

The hospital ended routine patient visits today as the country entered a second lockdown.

The only exceptions are for visits to patients at end of life; instances where difficult conversations need to take place; patients with physical or cognitive impairment; long-stay patients.

It comes as Steve Russell, chief executive of the hospital trust, told the Stray Ferret that the hospital was coping well with the virus.

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The district entered a second national lockdown today, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson said was needed to protect the health service from increased demand.

The weekly case rate in the district is still above the national average, with 252 per 100,000 people.

Ripon schools complete £1.5m merger

Two Ripon schools have merged as part of a £1.5 million project.

Funded by North Yorkshire County Council, the scheme has brought together Moorside infant and junior schools onto one site.

The project involved refurbishment of classrooms, cloakrooms, toilets and a construction of a new workspace extension for pupils and staff.

It comes after county council bosses gave the go-ahead last March for the two sites to merge into one primary school and nursery.

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Authority officials said there are plans for an opening event when it is feasible to do so.

Claire Rowett, headteacher at Moorside school, said the outcome of the project was “exceptional”.

She said:

“The most rewarding part is seeing our children happily learning in a safe and stimulating environment, where they will grow and develop from when they begin in our Nursery up to when they leave in Year six, ready for secondary.

“We are already seeing the positive impact of our continuous and consistent approaches in providing high quality teaching and learning for our pupils, as one school community.

“Both during and after the completion of the building work, our governors and staff team – and their families – have voluntarily invested hours into setting up our fabulous new provision, and I will be forever grateful to them for sharing our vision, and being part of what has been a memorable journey to success.

“We have also appreciated a great deal of support from our wider community, including Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and other locally-based businesses, who have also kindly donated their time and resources.

“We just can’t wait to be able to welcome previous and current members of our school and their families to see the transformation, when covid restrictions are lifted. We feel very excited about the future.”

Cllr Patrick Mulligan, executive member for schools said: 

“This development has benefited so many children and families in the Ripon area. 

“It’s enabled the creation of a newly refurbished school with specially-designed spaces to inspire children and help them achieve their potential with the extra resources and facilities available.”

Harrogate district set to enter second national lockdown

The Harrogate district will enter lockdown for the second time this year at midnight tonight.

Restaurants, bars, non-essential shops and hotels will close, dealing a huge blow to the hospitality sector, which is a big part of the local economy. When they will re-open is unclear.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced another shutdown to combat rising infection levels and ease pressure on the NHS.

The move has prompted widespread anxiety.

Georgia Eckert, of Imagines Things Bookshop in Harrogate, said the lockdown comes “at the worst possible time” for retail.

Georgia Eckert, of Imagined Things Bookshop in Westminster Arcade, Harrogate.

Her store and other non-essential retailers will have to close with just eight-weeks to go until Christmas.

Meanwhile, despite the furlough scheme being extended until December, the self-employed in the district also have concerns.

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Mr Johnson has insisted stricter measures are necessary.

In the Harrogate district, the weekly covid infection rate stands at 252 per 100,000 people which is above the national average.

While hospitals in other parts of the country have seen increased admissions, Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating 15 coronavirus patients.

Public health bosses also announced today the district will gets its own local test and trace system.

The move comes just weeks after the town opened its own permanent coronavirus testing site off Dragon Road.

The government has said the measures will be reviewed in four-weeks time but what seems certain is that lockdown will test the district’s businesses to the limit.

73 new coronavirus cases in Harrogate district as second lockdown looms

The Harrogate district recorded another 73 coronavirus infections today as the country prepares for another lockdown.

The daily figures from Public Health England show cases since the start of the pandemic have now increased to 2,623.

It comes as England prepares to enter a second national lockdown at midnight.

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Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day case rate stands at 252 per 100,000 which is above the national average of 228.

This morning, it was confirmed that Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating 15 coronavirus patients.

It was also announced today that the district will be part of a local test and trace system from next week.

It comes amid reports the current national programme for test and trace is only managing to reach about 60% of those who have come into close contact with a positive case.

‘Momentous’ single council proposal for North Yorkshire submitted

North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to submit plans to create a new single local authority for the county to ministers.

County councillors voted for the move today, signalling the start of the biggest shake-up of local government in North Yorkshire for decades.

However, the seven district and borough councils will also vote on submitting alternative proposals to ministers.

At the county council’s meeting this morning, 57 councillors voted in favour of submitting the bid and 11 against.

It included “dual hatted” councillors, who sit on both district and the county councils, who will also vote on the districts’ proposal for an east/west model.

Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for local government, will decide on the government’s preferred option.

Whichever proposal he chooses, it will result in both the county council and the district and borough councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, being scrapped and replaced by one or more single-tier authority.

‘Momentous decision’

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said the proposal for one council, which would cover 618,000 people, was among the most “momentous decisions” the authority has made.

He said the government regarded devolution as part of its plan for recovery from the covid pandemic.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

Cllr Les said:

“The government sees two parts to covid. Firstly contain and secondly recovery.

“They see devolution and local government reform as key parts of that recovery process and delivering the levelling up agenda.

“This is so the right time to do this and to get prepared for future challenges.”

He added that there would be “no criticism” of other models and that it would be for ministers to decide the best proposal for the county.

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The proposal has received support from City of York Council, which would remain as a unitary authority under the plan.

But opposition councillors on the county council opposed the move.

Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the North Yorkshire independents group, said it was not “the right time” for local government reform.

He said:

“I think central government needs to get to grips with what is going on in our country rather than rearranging deck chairs.”

Cllr Eric Broadbent, leader of the Labour group, said creating a single authority for the county would be “a step too far”.

£38 million cost of shake-up

In its outline plan, the county council said reorganisation of councils in the county could cost up to £38 million.

Consultants Pricewaterhouse Cooper’s report on the plans revealed that setting up a single authority will cost between £18 million and £38 million.

However, the authority also predicts savings of up to £252 million over five years, equivalent to £50.4 million per year.

The district councils ware set to submit an east/west model as a counter proposal to the county council.

Harrogate Borough Council will vote on the plan this evening.

Ministers have set a deadline of December 9 for full proposals to be submitted.

1,300 coronavirus cases in Harrogate district in October

More than 1,300 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Harrogate district in October.

Analysis of Public Health England data for the month shows there were 1,353 positive tests in the district and four deaths at Harrogate District Hospital.

The number of infections is more than half of the 2,502 cases since the start of the pandemic.

Daily cases peaked at 83 on October 28, which represented the highest daily increase in the district.

The rate of daily increases in the Harrogate district throughout October. Data: Public Health England. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

The rate of daily increases and deaths in the Harrogate district throughout October. Data: Public Health England. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

However, the district also saw its first permanent coronavirus testing centre open last month which has capacity for up to 320 tests per day.

Today saw another 48 positive tests confirmed in the district.

Yesterday York Central MP and shadow minister, Rachael Maskell, said the turnaround for covid tests in the county was taking “far too long”. She said only 16% of tests were being returned after 24 hours.

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Meanwhile, the weekly case rate in the district stands at 252 per 100,000 people, which is still above the national average.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second national lockdown in England from Thursday.

The measure will see non-essential shops, pubs and gyms close.

North Yorkshire covid tests taking ‘far too long’, says MP

Coronavirus test results in North Yorkshire are taking “far too long”, according to a shadow minister.

Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central and shadow minister for digital, culture, media and sport, told the House of Commons yesterday only 16% of test results in North Yorkshire were being returned after 24 hours.

She added 60 per cent were returned in 48 hours and 96% after 72 hours, quoting figures from North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of organisations that tackles emergencies in the county.

Ms Maskell told MPs during the covid debate:

“That is too long to wait to lock down the virus.

“If we could process those tests locally—test locally and process locally—we could have the results overnight.”

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Ms Maskell said a localised system of public health, rather than the current service provided by Serco under contract from the Department of Health and Social Care, would provide a quicker and more effective response. She said:

“A quick response is key to getting on top of the virus—testing quickly, contact tracing quickly and isolating the virus quickly.”

‘We recognise there is more to be done’

The Stray Ferret asked the DHSC to respond to Ms Maskell.

It referred us to comments last week from Baroness Dido Harding, interim executive chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, which acknowledged turnaround times could be better.

Baroness Harding said:

“As the number of cases rise, we are seeing NHS test and trace processing more tests and reaching more people than ever before.

“We are expanding the reach of our service and improving performance in key areas such as turnaround times for tests as we continue to increase capacity, but we recognise there is more to be done.”

A permanent coronavirus testing centre was set up in the Harrogate District last month.

The Dragon Road site, which is managed by Serco, is capable of carrying out up to 320 tests per day and operates seven days a week.

A Serco spokesperson said:

“Serco does manage the test site but we do not manage the processing of the tests and the results, or the laboratories. That is all managed by others.”

 

Harrogate and Ripon self-employed angry and fearful of second lockdown

Self-employed businesses in the Harrogate district have expressed fears for their future ahead of a second national lockdown.

Two local business owners told the Stray Ferret they had just started to see work return after the first lockdown only to be told that the country will shutdown again on Thursday.

Hannah Ruddy, whose business Musicality Kids provides music classes for children in Harrogate, said she spent £1,500 on making her classes covid-secure only to now see her work cancelled.

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Ms Ruddy added she and many other self-employed people had received no support since the start of the pandemic.

She was among those who were denied a discretionary grant of up to £10,000 in September because she did not have business premises.

Now she is concerned about the impact of another lockdown:

“I’m worried because I do not know where the money is going to come from and if I’m going to have to borrow again.

“I’m concerned about the communication and clarity about how long this is going to go on for.

“But, most of all, I’m angry at the lack of support for a large proportion of the self employed.”

‘No idea if we will survive’

Jennie Eyres, who runs a teacher training business in Ripon, has also received no financial support.

Besides her teaching business, Ms Eyres also runs a magazine that publicises activities for children.

Although she has had some work from schools, her businesses face uncertainty as lockdown looms.

She said:

“I still do not get any support and one business is severely hampered because the companies I work with are in the leisure and entertainment industries.”

Ms Eyres said it was the worry of “not knowing from one week to next” where work was going to come from which affected her the most.

She added she was fortunate her savings and her husband’s income had enabled her family to stay afloat during the pandemic.

When asked if she felt her businesses could survive a four-week lockdown, Jenny said:

“If it does go down, then we will have to tighten our belts and do something else. But I do not know, I literally have no idea.”

Furlough extension

The government announced an extension to the furlough scheme as part of the Prime Minister’s announcement on Saturday evening.

It will see the scheme extended to December and pay 80% of employee salaries up to £2,500 a month.

Yesterday, Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that the self-employed would be able to claim state aid of up to 80% of profits during the second lockdown.