The Ministry of Defence is in the process of converting Harrogate Convention Centre into a ‘Nightingale’ hospital to fight the coronavirus crisis.

A source told The Stray Ferret that one hall is being turned into a ‘field hospital’ to help the NHS deal with the expected high pressure created by the growing number of cases.

Although full details have yet to be confirmed, an announcement is expected imminently by the government as part of its continuing escalation of measures against the coronavirus outbreak. Three temporary ‘Nightingale’ hospitals have already been announced – in London, Manchester and Birmingham – with more understood to be in the planning stages.

It is understood that the hospital at the convention centre could be up and running within a week.

The social care system is playing its part in fighting the coronavirus outbreak – and needs the whole community to continue to do so too. 

That is the message from Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult Services at North Yorkshire County Council, who praised the efforts of local people to support each other. 

“I think that’s fantastic, the way people are offering their support,” he said. “It’s not only practical stuff, it’s things to keep people well. Mental health is really important.

“That’s where particularly volunteers and community support will help. If you know some people are isolated, ring them every day and keep in touch. Help arrange their shopping or just have a chat.”

Mr Webb, pictured, said he had been impressed by organisations doing their bit to keep families busy and individuals’ spirits high. This week, Harrogate Theatre has been showing its pantomime online for free, while Harrogate International Festivals – of which he is a trustee – has plans to do more too. 

While neighbours can look out for each other, Mr Webb is working with care providers and other organisations to look after 70,000 people in the community across North Yorkshire, many of whom are vulnerable to coronavirus because of their age or health conditions. 

As has been widely reported with the NHS, there is huge strain on social care too, with personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer in high demand around the world. Social care providers and supporting organisations across the Harrogate district are working harder than ever to ensure they meet the needs of their service users. 

“It’s a time of huge challenge for everyone,” said Mr Webb. “We’re working really closely with them, trying to make sure we have enough availability of care.  

“They will have people going off sick and self-isolating as so many are, so we need to make sure there are enough people to go around. We’re using mutual aid, so if people haven’t got enough staff for one service, we can help by moving them across from elsewhere.” 

With so much strain already on social care, as well as the NHS, Mr Webb said he does not expect the situation to be quickly resolved. 

“I think it’s too early to say [how long it will last],” he said. “Boris Johnson said we will review it in three weeks, but the NHS is cancelling routine operations for 12 weeks.  

“The worst might be over by then, but we need to be prepared for it to last for some time yet. In other countries, it’s taking some time. That’s why it’s really important people stay in and help prevent it spreading.” 

As a resident of Harrogate, Mr Webb said residents are fortunate to have outdoor spaces to exercise and still be able to keep their distance from each other. He said it was vital for people to remember the basic advice, including continuing to wash hands thoroughly and regularly. 

“I want to say thank you to everyone, for all they’re doing to support each other and to work with us. If there are changes to health and social care because we’re dealing with this, please bear with us.  

“And please stay home, stay safe and keep your distance.” 

Across the country, recently retired doctors, nurses and other NHS staff are being invited to return to work. 

The government has vowed to relax restrictions for such workers to enable them to help out as medical services face growing demand, and as current staff fall ill themselves.

While they won’t be invited as part of the current scheme, there are also NHS staff who have been on career breaks for other reasons now preparing to offer their services again. 

GP Joanne Gregson, who has been off work since having daughter Edie in October 2018, has contacted the Local Medical Committee to find out where she is most needed. For her, work will be very different when she returns than it was when she left.

“We’re all subject to the self-isolation rules too,” she said. “If Edie gets a temperature, I’m out of action for a couple of weeks. 

“A lot of practices are doing video and telephone consultations now, trying to limit face-to-face contact. That should help to keep as many of us working as possible.” 

Support after career break

Dr Gregson had already been considering a soft return to work through the GP retainer scheme, which offers mentoring to doctors coming back to practice after a break. However, with practices now in need of help to cope with high demand, she may return to work in one of the most difficult periods in the history of the NHS. 

“It is anxiety-provoking because I was planning to go back in a very controlled manner,” she said. “As doctors, we’re very conscientious. We don’t want to make mistakes, we’re human and we want to do our best. 

“I wanted to do some courses and get back up to speed. Going back as a retainer meant after each appointment I could speak to a mentor and go through things. Now, I know everyone is going to be working at their capacity and as much as people will try to help, they may not be able to find that extra time.” 

With colleagues and friends working in front-line NHS care, Dr Gregson said she is hearing stories about their experiences:

“There’s a bit of disgruntlement about social distancing. We aren’t really seeing people doing it. I can understand that, because it seems unreal still, but we’re seeing what’s happening in Italy and it is worrying. The message coming from my colleagues is, ‘do your bit. This is coming and we all have to act responsibly’.” 

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Yorkshire has risen by almost 40 per cent in one day, according to Public Health England.

The organisation reported there were 69 cases in the county on Friday, compared to 50 the day before.

At present, most patients are only tested if they are admitted to hospital with severe symptoms, so figures do not include people who have symptoms but are able to stay at home. There are no specific figures for the Harrogate district, but two people have died at Harrogate District Hospital after testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, local authorities, police and other landowners including Yorkshire Water have asked the public to stay at home and not travel to popular tourism destinations and beauty spots this weekend.

It follows large crowds seen at locations including Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs last weekend. Good weather on Mother’s Day is believed to have contributed to people looking for places to meet family outdoors, leading to further curbs on activities by the government from last Monday evening.

North Yorkshire Police have now set up check-points to ensure anyone travelling is only doing so for essential reasons, such as key workers going to work or individuals going to buy food. They say they will be issuing fines of up to £1,000 for anyone caught flouting the rules.

Access to support promised by the government is proving difficult for residents in the Harrogate district as people across the country attempt to get advice. 

From business rates relief to mortgage holidays, phone lines for government organisations and financial providers have been jammed by people trying to speak to someone about how they can access the promised support. 

And in some cases, even when they finally get through, people are finding the help is not available. 

Kate Curtis, a self-employed inventory clerk in Harrogate, spent seven hours on the phone to Santander only to be told she was not eligible for a mortgage holiday because she had money in her current and business accounts. 

She said: “I told them that money was to pay my tax bill, but they wanted to see last year’s tax bill to prove how much it would be. 

“I’m fortunate that I’ve earned more this year because I’ve been really busy so my tax bill will be much higher. They want to see this year’s accounts, which I can’t do until April, and I’ve just had an email from my accountant saying she’s unwell and having to self-isolate.” 

What concerns Kate is that the announcements from the government seem to be open to interpretation, so there is no consistency. Other people have reported that getting a mortgage holiday from their provider has been more straightforward, with few or no checks on their finances. 

Business as usual

That inconsistency is also affecting Kate’s work with lettings and estate agents, checking rental properties after tenancies end. There has been no clear instruction to property firms to stop working, so many of them are continuing to arrange viewings – albeit some online – and request her services. 

“There’s pressure on from a couple of my clients to still carry out some of the appointments,” she said. “I’ve said I’ve got a moral and social responsibility and I’m not going to work. 

“Even if the property is empty, I’m often asked to go to blocks of flats with communal areas – one yesterday was a retirement block. They’re not fulfilling their duty of care to people like me or to their staff.” 

For Kate, who is now home-schooling two children, the only solution is for the government to be much more stringent in the restrictions, so they are not open to interpretation by businesses, whether that is employers or banks. 

Meanwhile, she is anxiously waiting to hear what support will be on offer for the self-employed, with an announcement expected imminently from the Chancellor. However, the rapid growth of her business in the last year may again leave her with little support if long-term earnings have to be proved. 

With her pilot husband unsure whether he will be paid for the coming months, the family is in a precarious position. 

“We went through redundancy five years ago,” she said. “It’s only in the last six or nine months we have got back on our feet and cleared the debt and started to be able to put some money aside again.” 

A tough year lies ahead for charities in the Harrogate district after swathes of fundraising events were cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

From supporters taking part in the London Marathon to their own community activities, charities rely heavily on numerous events in their annual calendars. 

Now, with almost every event being cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis, many are left wondering how they will meet their costs. 

Stephen Tongue, director of fundraising at Henshaws, said:

“We have got all our usual costs and additional costs of getting back-up staffing and deep cleaning areas – that’s quite expensive.

“It’s a challenging time. We do have some money coming in, but there’s a huge question mark over so many events.”

The charity held an art auction in early March and, even then, attendance was only around half of what was expected. Meanwhile, several upcoming fundraisers have been cancelled, including Knaresborough Beer Festival in May. 

Stephen is hopeful two outdoor events – a golf day at Rudding Park and a Yorkshire Three Peaks walk – will be able to take place in June and July, depending on government advice at the time. Its corporate donations, however, may also dwindle over the coming weeks as SMEs in the Harrogate district – a key source of support to Henshaws – struggle to find spare cash. 

To make up the shortfall and meet the additional needs of its students during the crisis, Henshaws has launched a new fundraising appeal.

For Open Arms Malawi, which sends around £500,000 per year out to its projects in the African nation, the worries are just as severe. Founded by Harrogate couple Neville and Rosemarie Bevis in 2000, it still has strong links with the town and relies on local people to contribute to its work with orphaned children. 

Ashville College has been a long-term supporter of Open Arms Malawi, sending students to volunteer there last summer

Fundraising manager Claire Collins said: “We were having a really good year for fundraising and just starting to look at new and different activities. Everything has been cancelled – all the challenge events, runs, and activities in the schools which support us. 

“We have two corporate partners who do trips to Malawi to see how funds are helping and donate significant amounts to us. They still want to support us, but without the trips it’s very difficult: when people see the work, they become really big advocates for what we do.” 

The charity has two infant homes, 10 nursery schools and five family homes for older children, as well as an outreach programme supporting families in the community. As yet, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Malawi but, with high numbers elsewhere in Africa, all the homes and schools are taking extra precautions with hand washing and cleaning procedures. 

“HIV is still a big problem in Malawi, along with malnutrition,” said Claire. “Coronavirus is a huge risk on top of that. They’re taking it very seriously.” 

Claire has set up a new page on the charity’s website to keep supporters informed about the situation in Malawi. They are hoping supporters will still feel able to contribute, despite the difficulties being faced by many families across the Harrogate district. 

Vital care workers say they are being left behind as people continue to clear supermarket shelves as soon as they open. 

Although NHS staff are being given priority access to some shops at designated times, the rules do not always apply to those employed by private organisations. 

However, care home staff and others all play an essential part in keeping elderly and vulnerable people safe and well as the coronavirus pandemic continues. As a result, their work relieves pressure on the NHS by reducing the number of people needing medical care or hospital beds. 

Suzanne Kay, who works at Belmont House in Starbeck, said she has been left unable to get basic provisions because of her long shifts. 

Suzanne Kay

“It’s an absolute nightmare,” she said. “Because I work 12-hour shifts, if I get a lift home I get back to Ripon at 8.30pm. By that time, there’s nothing left. What do you do?” 

After work , Suzanne said she is struggling to come up with meals to feed herself and her 18-year-old son, who has lost his job in a cinema this week. 

“We’re just having to live off what we can,” she said. “By the time I get home, it’s shower, bed and ready to do it all again the next day.”  

Routine is essential

Her role in the early-onset dementia unit is challenging in normal circumstances, but particularly tough at the moment, when relatives are unable to visit. With some carers having to self-isolate as a precaution, there is even more pressure on staff. 

“Everyone is having to pick up extra hours in order to keep residents with some normality,” said Suzanne.

“With them having dementia, routine is essential for them. It keeps them going. You take that routine and structure away from them and it has a really big effect.

“They ask, ‘when is my son coming?’ or ‘when is my daughter coming?’. You have to explain several times a day. A lot of them don’t know how to use a phone so they don’t have that option to keep in touch. When they get upset, it sets you off as well.”

Yesterday the Government urged people not to panic buy. In its daily briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary George Eustice, said that everybody in the UK needs to play their part and shop responsibly:

“Be responsible when you shop. Buying more than you need means that others may be left without.”

Students across the Harrogate district face an uncertain future after A level exams were cancelled.

Now awaiting their grades – to be awarded by teachers based on mock exams and predicted results – they are unsure whether they will even be able to take up their university offers in September. 

For some, the unexpected end to their schooling has led them to question their plans for the future, too. 

Oriana Lioi, 18, had her last day at King James’s School in Knaresborough on Thursday.  

“I’ve applied to uni, but I was never completely set on going,” she said. “I don’t know whether to take a year to collect myself. I feel better knowing that everyone is in the same boat.” 

Eighteen-year-old Morgan Glazier, left, is still waiting to hear whether his application to London School of Economics has been accepted, with other offers already in place. He left Rossett School on Friday and has cancelled all plans for the summer. 

“I was going to Spain with my friends this summer and then to America with my family,” he said. “It’s the year of my 18th so it was a big celebration. 

“I was going to work full-time to earn some money and go to some festivals, but they’re all being cancelled too. It was going to be the best summer.” 

Oriana, meanwhile, has lost her part-time job at the Everyman cinema in Harrogate after it closed its doors this week. 

“That’s hard, because this year I’m going to start needing the money,” she said. “They have been really generous and supportive – they’re saying a job will be available to me at any time in the summer when they re-open.” 

Final goodbye to schoolmates

Complying with social distancing advice, Oriana plans to spend the summer learning new skills, including Spanish, and on self-care. Born and raised for the first few years in Los Angeles, she said hearing from her friends about the severity of the situation there has made her take it very seriously. 

“Some people have a different mindset about having a last ‘hooray’,” she said.

“Everyone has vulnerable people they love nearby. I’m not taking part in anything. I want this to be over as quickly as possible.” 

Morgan was one of those who grouped on the Stray in Harrogate after the schools closed on Friday. For him, there was no extra risk after spending all week with his fellow students in school. 

“People have got to put themselves in our shoes,” he said. “We aren’t going to see everyone again. We have effectively been robbed of our summer and this might be the final send-off.” 

Harrogate District Hospital has confirmed it is testing every in-patient suspected of having coronavirus.

The confirmation came after the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said the hospital did not have any tests for Covid-19.

Julia Mulligan questioned official figures for the number of confirmed cases in the county on Twitter today:

They have no tests for CV19 at Harrogate hospital. So how are we supposed to know? https://t.co/TTFnb6ZLMY

— Julia Mulligan (@Julia_Mulligan) March 21, 2020

Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust said it has enough kits and is testing all in-patients displaying the symptoms of coronavirus.

Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will remain closed from today after the Government announced last night would be their last evening of trading for the foreseeable future.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Yorkshire has risen by one to 14 – with one death at Harrogate District Hospital.

If you work in the tourism industry or run a hospitality business in the district, please get in touch to tell us how you’re coping with the changes.

4pm – Call for hospital volunteers

Volunteers are urgently needed to help at Harrogate District Hospital across all areas and departments.

Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust has put a call out for new volunteers as some of its existing team are keeping away during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Trust says volunteers will mostly be working in administrative or manual handling roles, depending on their skills and abilities, supporting the work of staff in caring for patients, carers and visitors.

Anyone interested can email hdft.volunteering@nhs.net.

12pm – Bus timetables revised

The Harrogate Bus company has announced changes to its timetables in order to keep vital services running for essential journeys.

The late night services on the 36 bus between Leeds and Harrogate will not operate from today, long with those on the 1N route. The company will also operate a Saturday service from Monday to Saturday for the foreseeable future, while Sunday timetables will continue as usual.

📣 We’re making some changes to our bus times 📣

Our late night Saturday buses on #the36 & 1N will not run from Sat 21 March.

And from Monday 23 March we’ll be using Saturday times on most routes Mon-Sat.

The X6 will be running as normal.

More here 👉https://t.co/cb5cL0O6iS pic.twitter.com/dNMB3zWR3F

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) March 20, 2020

CEO Alex Hornby praised his team and said: “We’ve been running all our buses as normal until now but as we see less people travelling and pressure on staffing increases, we have made the decision to change to Saturday times going forward. We trust everyone understands the reasons for this but note that we are maintaining the general span of the operating day and many frequencies are similar.”

11.45am – Antiques fair postponed

The Antiques and Collectors Fair due to be held at Ripley over Easter weekend has been postponed.

It adds to the long list of cancellations and postponements of events across the Harrogate district. Many organisers are hoping to find new dates later in the year, based on government guidance at the time.

11am – Instant payments to county council suppliers

Businesses which supply to North Yorkshire County Council will receive immediate payments as the authority works to mitigate the effects of coronavirus on the economy.

Small and medium suppliers will receive instant payment – subject to bank clearing times – instead of the current 30-day period. The Council is currently planning to have the new payment rules in place until the end of 2020, subject to a review in August.

County Council leader Coun Carl Les said: “We are clear how important our supply chains are to our service delivery, and we want to be there for the smaller businesses that supply us and are crucial to the economic vitality of our county and country.

“We will be doing our best to support them through this period, and in addition would urge them to seek the wider support available from central government.”