Harrogate District Hospital is moving some of its consultations online to help patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

The hospital said it is trialling the technology across a number of departments where it is appropriate and it could stay in place after coronavirus.

However, the hospital said that it can make arrangements for face to face appointments if necessary, with referrals reviewed as soon as they are received.

Those patients with a high clinical need will be seen as soon as possible and suspected cancer referrals will be given the highest priority.

Patients are directly advised if they are eligible for video consultation and they can then choose if they wish to use the service.

Clinical Lead Nurse for Cardiology, Emma Edgar, said:

“Recently, a cardiology patient contacted me as he had a recurrence of his heart rhythm problem. I made an appointment for him in my clinic and we had a video consultation during which I was able to assess the problem and come up with a treatment plan.”

Clinical Informatics Lead at the Trust Dr Matt Shepherd said:

“We are all currently having to adapt to new ways of working and it is important that we make use of every opportunity to support our patients. Our priority is always to give the best quality care and we are pleased to be able to offer this as an option to our patients, where appropriate.”

A volunteer group in Harrogate has made over 2,000 scrubs for Harrogate District Hospital.

From the sewers to the delivery drivers, the Stray Ferret has created this video to say thank you to the Harrogate Scrubbers.

Read more about their final delivery of scrubs to the hospital here.

Harrogate scrubbers made their final trip to Harrogate district hospital today to deliver homemade scrubs.

The group, which was set up just 6 weeks ago, has of 830 volunteers which have provided the town’s hospital with over 2,000 scrubs, 260 gowns, 550 scrub hats and 1,000 scrub bags.

Fran Taylor, the founder of Harrogate Scrubbers, told the Stray Ferret that it had been really humbling:

This started 6 weeks ago… it was about people wanting to help the NHS and I think we really have achieved that. It has also really helped people’s mental health as those that are stuck in the house isolating or on furlough have been able to have a focus and help others at the same time.

Charlotte Gannaway is a nurse at Harrogate Hospital. She was there today to receive the final load of scrubs:

“At the start we had a shortage of scrubs, but we now have enough to go round all the staff. Its made us a lot more comfortable at work, especially when we are working long hours.

We have come together as a team and we are definitely seeing a good number of patients getting discharged”.

Harrogate’s care homes have reported 60 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic.

It is an increase from last week’s figures of nine more deaths in the town’s care homes.

The latest numbers from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are from the week ending May 15.

More NHS recent data from Bank Holiday Monday has revealed that there have been 62 deaths at Harrogate District Hospital.

With a lag between care home deaths and hospitals of ten days, it could mean that there could end up being more deaths in the town’s care homes compared to the hospital.

North Yorkshire County Council recently said it was stepping up its support to care homes for the 235 care homes in its area.

The council will support struggling care homes with staffing, PPE, infection control, safe hospital discharge, and more.

A majority of residents in the Harrogate district have said they are “appalled” and “furious” at the behaviour of the Prime Minister’s chief adviser who made a 500 mile round trip to County Durham during lockdown to isolate.

Across social media and e-mails to The Stray Ferret, people have been reacting to the news. Though most objected to the adviser’s behaviour, some have defended Dominic Cummings’ actions and said those who want him to resign are doing so for political reasons.

Mr Cummings found himself in the middle of a political storm over the Bank Holiday Weekend over his decision, but he said he believed he acted reasonably and did not regret it.

Harrogate MP, Andrew Jones, has reportedly joined other backbenchers and called for Mr Cummings to resign, but there is still no word on whether Ripon MP, Julian Smith, has joined the call.

Neither MP has responded to The Stray Ferret’s request for a comment.

Harrogate MP, Andrew Jones, has reportedly called for Mr Cummings to step down. But Julian Smith, MP for Ripon, has yet to comment.

On social media, the majority of comments from the district’s residents revealed they were unimpressed with Mr Cummings and some have e-mailed their local MP to voice their concerns.

Racheal Bowen said on Facebook: “I am furious and emailed Andrew Jones yesterday to voice my opinion. Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives. Unless you are Dominic Cummings and then just do what you want and the NHS will pick up the pieces. Disgraceful behaviour from Cummings and all those in government who are supporting him.”

Susan Halliday said: “I am appalled at his arrogance. I have not seen my seven grandchildren for eight weeks and have followed the rules to the letter but now I’m not sure if I’ll pop and see them all and not feel guilty. I’m thinking the rest of the country may feel the same.”

No doubt Cummings should go. Don’t care if he resigns or is sacked, just as long as he goes.

— Marc Smith (@marcxsmith) May 25, 2020

But some have criticised the response to the story and said those who want Mr Cummings to step down are politically motivated.

Sue Stott said on Facebook: “I find it hard to comprehend the levels of hate that so-called respectable people are showing for this man & his family. What is this country turning into when all we can do is criticise and harass others.”

Cheryl Allan said: “I couldn’t care less. There are loads of people who have been out meeting other people and no one gives a damn. But if you’re in the public eye everyone goes mad about it.”

Most people wanting Cummings to be sacked are doing it for political reasons. #Gameplay

— Harrogate Stuff (@harrogate_stuff) May 25, 2020

The Liberal Democrats have written to the Chief Executive of Harrogate Borough Council,  Wallace Sampson, calling on the council to set up what it called  ‘Coronavirus Response Teams’ to help the district’s economy recover from the pandemic.

The Lib Dems said the teams should be made up of a cross-section of representatives from each of the borough’s communities, including business leaders, community groups, and politicians, irrespective of their party colours.

In the letter councillor Pat Marsh, Leader of the Opposition on Harrogate Council, said:

“It will be important that we bring together businesses, community groups, and elected representatives at every level across the district, irrespective of political colours so that coordinated efforts can help to bring about a swift recovery.”

The call comes after the operator of the St George Hotel collapsed on Friday blaming the pandemic- the first sign of how deeply the coronavirus crisis has hit the hospitality industry in the town.

Councillor Pat Marsh continued:

“If we are to prevent yet more businesses collapsing and residents suffering we will need to work together and work to bring together coordinated plans specific to each community in our district. This needs to be done quickly so that we are prepared as we come out of lockdown.”

Yesterday the government announced that all “non-essential” retail could open from June 15th. Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen from Monday.

As some primary schools across the district prepare to reopen next week, parents discuss whether they are sending their children back to school.

The government says schools should look to re-open for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from June 1.

Figures today released by the NHS show one more patient who tested positive for coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital has died. The death was recorded yesterday and brings the total number of hospital deaths in the district to 62.

A further 59 people, who tested positive for the covid-19 have died, according to the NHS. It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 25,750.

However, the NHS warned that the Covid Patient Notification System did not operate between 0455 and 1500 yesterday due to “a connectivity issue experienced by an external supplier” which would affect the figures.

Patients were aged between 44 and 98 years old.  4 of the patients had no known underlying health condition.

Harrogate District Hospital has discharged a total of 104 patients after treatment for coronavirus since the start of the crisis. Outside the hospital, there have been 51 deaths from coronavirus in care homes in the district.

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Did you contact your MP demanding Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s top aide, to be sacked?

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has reportedly called for Mr Cummings to resign or be sacked saying he broke the guidelines- the Stray Ferret cannot remember a time when Mr Jones went against the government whip like this. Was he reacting to the demands of his constituents and his inbox bombarded?

There has been no word from Ripon and Skipton MP, Julian Smith. He was appointed Chief Whip in Theresa May’s government from 2017 to July 2019.

Mr Cummings is the centre of a political storm after it was revealed that he travelled from London to Durham with his wife and four year old child during lockdown, when his wife had covid symptoms. One report alleges a witness saw Mr Cummings in Barnard Castle, more than 25 miles from Durham on 12 April.

The prime minister said yesterday at the 5pm coronavirus briefing that he held “extensive” discussions on Sunday with Mr Cummings, who he said “followed the instincts of every father and every parent – and I do not mark him down for that”.

But despite Boris Johnson’s briefing and senior cabinet members publicly supporting Mr Cummings – a number of backbench MPs have started to call for him to resign. A reflection perhaps of the public mood in their constituencies.

Over the last four days we have looked at issues surrounding cycling in Harrogate. We put the questions raised from those reports to North Yorkshire’s highways chief, Don Mackenzie. 

As North Yorkshire County Council struggles to make a dent in its Otley Road project, campaigners have accused the council of having a lack of ambition on cycling. 

When asked whether the authority had a lack of ambition, Councillor Mackenzie said:

“We do have aspirations, but we need funding and we also need to take everyone with us.” 

He added that he was hopeful of starting the first phase of Otley Road next month and that funding was still in place for the project.

Councillor Mackenzie said the council had to speak to a range of people about its highways schemes and could not focus solely on one group. 

“People need to remember that North Yorkshire is a very big county and there are many demands on it. 

“Harrogate cyclists want to get things done, but we have to take everyone with us. We have to work with many other groups, not just cyclists.” 

His answer will be seen as less than emphatic for people who will feel there is no better time to get started while the roads are clear.

Will recent events make a difference?

Earlier this month the Department of Transport announced millions of pounds of extra cash to develop the region’s permanent cycling infrastructure. On Saturday it announced the Yorkshire and Humber region would be allocated a £24.5m emergency active travel grant for new cycling and walking lanes.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said laws had been amended to “reduce red tape and halve the time” it takes for councils to get schemes up and running  – “helping local authorities accommodate for the step-change in behaviour as more people turn to cycling and walking”

Cycling Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said:

“We’re living in a time where many people are cycling and walking more than they did before, and we must build on this opportunity to bring about longer-term change – where active travel is viewed as the default for shorter journeys, long after this crisis has finished.

“This funding for Yorkshire and the Humber will help councils provide more space for walking and cycling and make it easier for people to get out and about and reduce the pressure on public transport.”

Where the extra money will be spent will now be decided. Will the amended laws make a difference? Councillor Mackenzie, who faces the challenge of delivering such projects, will no doubt be hoping so.