Almost 500 appointments cancelled at Harrogate hospital due to junior doctors’ strike

Last week’s junior doctors’ strike led to 470 appointments and 21 operations being cancelled and rescheduled at Harrogate District Hospital.

It was the second round of industrial action undertaken by members of the British Medical Association union this year and saw junior doctors strike over pay for an unprecedented four days.

Nationally, it’s estimated more than 190,000 appointments had to be cancelled last week.

Junior doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training and they make up nearly half of the medical workforce in England.

A Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson described what impact the strikes had at the Lancaster Park Road hospital.

They said:

“During the recent junior doctors’ industrial action, our focus was to maintain safe patient care and ensure emergency services would continue to operate.

“A number of clinical colleagues were freed up from activities, such as outpatient clinics and theatre sessions, to support emergency cover of our wards and departments which were impacted by the strike.

“Some planned, non-urgent treatment, including 470 outpatient appointments and 21 elective operations, needed to be rescheduled. The postponed appointments and treatments are being rescheduled as a priority so that that our patients can be seen as soon as possible.

“We appreciate this situation is frustrating for those affected and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The British Medical Association says while workload and waiting lists are at record highs, junior doctors’ pay has effectively been cut by more than a quarter since 2008.

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It is asking for a pay-rise of 35%, which it says will reverse 15 years of real-term cuts.

A BMA spokesperson said:

“If junior doctors are forced out of the NHS because of poor pay and conditions, the services we all rely on to look after our loved ones will suffer.”

Health secretary Steve Barclay said the number of cancelled appointments and operations last week was “deeply disappointing”.

He said:

“We remain ready to start formal talks with the BMA as soon as the union pauses its strikes and moves significantly from its unrealistic position of demanding a 35% pay increase – which would result in some junior doctors receiving a pay rise of £20,000.”

More NHS strikes

Nurses at Harrogate District Hospital are set to take part in two days of industrial action over the upcoming May bank holiday.

The strike will take place from 8pm on Sunday, April 30, to 8pm on Tuesday, May 2.

Unlike the two previous Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strikes at the hospital on Lancaster Park Road this year, it will involve nurses working in emergency departments, intensive care, cancer and other wards.

Harrogate restaurant relaunches following £30,000 refurbishment

An Italian restaurant in Harrogate town centre is set to relaunch next Thursday (April 27) following a £30,000 overhaul. 

The refurbishment of Piccolino on Parliament Street sees the return of the ground-floor bar that was popular when the site was run as Restaurant Bar & Grill.

When it became a Gino D’Acampo restaurant in 2017, the ground floor was turned into a deli, but owner Individual Restaurants rebranded it to Piccolino in January 2022 and is now bringing back the bar area in response to local demand. 

Andrew Garton, CEO of Individual Restaurants, said: 

“I spent 10 years of my life living in Harrogate and enjoyed every minute of it. On taking my position as CEO at Individual Restaurants, bringing the bar back to Harrogate was the top request from my friends and contacts – and this is exactly what we have done. We look forward to bringing back the buzz to the local community as well as ensuring that we continue to serve the finest Italian food and drink. 

“I encourage everyone in Harrogate to come and relive the good times and experience the best venue in Harrogate.” 

The re-launched bar will serve cocktails and host sets by local DJs. The roof-top terrace and private dining room will also be reopening. 

Seated customers laughing and chatting in a busy Piccolino Italian restaurant in Harrogate.

The Harrogate restaurant is one of 18 Piccolino sites around England, most of which are in the North.

The venue will be led by a new general manager, Salvatore Cataldi, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, including stints at San Carlo and Grantley Hall. He said: 

“I am super excited to be joining the Piccolino Harrogate team as general manager. I can already see how this will soon become the ‘go to’ place for dinner and late evening drinks in our new bar. 

“I also have a strong business network within the local community, and I think our private dining room and rooftop terrace space will be a hit with local businesses looking to surprise and delight their teams and clients! I look forward to welcoming our guests to the restaurant over the coming months.” 

The Manchester-based Individual Restaurants group has 18 Piccolino sites across the UK, including Harrogate, Ilkley, Collingham, Sheffield, Bramhall, Birmingham, Chester, Didsbury, Hale, Knutsford, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Stockton Heath, Bristol, London and Virginia Water. It also has restaurants operating under other brands in Leeds, Hull and Marlow. 

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Concern Harrogate charities will lose out with new ‘mayor-lite’ position

The final mayor of the Harrogate borough Victoria Oldham says the new charter mayor position will see charities lose out on profile-boosting visits.

Cllr Michael Harrison was appointed on Monday (April 17) as the charter mayor of Harrogate for the next 12 months.

But his role will be much-reduced from the former Harrogate Borough Council mayor who attended hundreds of events and functions across the district every year.

By contrast, the charter mayor is only expected to attend around a dozen events over the next year. Cllr Harrison described the role as ‘mayor-lite’.

Former councillor and mayor Victoria Oldham attended the meeting at the Civic Centre where she congratulated Cllr Harrison and wished him well.

But after the meeting she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that organisations in Harrogate will suffer due to the charter mayor’s leaner schedule.

Ms Oldham said:

“I do have my concerns that a lot of organisations in the Harrogate area will miss out on mayoral visits.

“Most mayors have done hundreds of visits and engagements, the charities, the churches and the elderly care homes will obviously not have those visits. They are a stimulus and they do help, let’s just hope it’s only for 12 months.”

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North Yorkshire Council has allocated an annual budget of £12,100 for Harrogate charter trustee business.

However, if a Harrogate Town Council is created, it will assume responsibility for the mayoral position from North Yorkshire Council should it want it.

It could then decide to allocated more money to a mayoral position that would see its role expanded, which Ms Oldham said she would be in favour of. 

She added:

“Going forward the citizens of Harrogate will need mayoral representation and I will be fully supportive of a town council being set up.”

Ms Oldham, who was the Conservative councillor for the Washburn ward on Harrogate Borough Council until it was abolished on March 31, also said some people don’t always appreciate the volume of work that went into the mayoral position. 

She said:

“It’s not just smiling for the photographs and shaking hands. It’s the time, commitment, the caring and being prepared to drop everything and make it work. 

“It’s not just about you as mayor, it’s about the citizens, Harrogate, our vibrant festival and hospitality industries, sports and more.”

Harrogate head set to move to new role at infant school

The headteacher of Grove Road Primary School is set to move on to a new role in September.

Christopher Harrison is taking up the post of headteacher at Oatlands Infant School, just two miles south of his current school.

The role was advertised after current head Zoe Anderson announced she was planning to move to the Isle of Skye after the end of the academic year.

Mr Harrison said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as Headteacher at Oatlands Infant School.

“Whilst I have loved being a part of the Grove Road community for the last five years, both as a teacher and leader, I have always wanted to work in an infant school. I started my teaching career in Early Years and Key Stage 1, and the prospect of returning to work with these ages in a brilliant school – with the backing of a superb Multi Academy Trust and a fabulous community – was a tremendously exciting opportunity for me.

“I look forward to hearing about Grove Road’s continued successes, and I can’t wait to be part of Oatlands Infant School’s exciting journey going forward.”

Oatlands deputy headteacher Kathryn Haddon said:

“We are excited to welcome Mr Harrison in September and look forward to working together with him to build on all the existing successes in our nurturing and inspiring school.”

Confirmation that Mr Harrison will move means Grove Road is now seeking its own new headteacher.

In a statement, the governors of Grove Road Primary School said:

“We are sad that Mr Harrison will be leaving us at the end of the summer term, he has been an important figure in the school for the last five years. Although we will miss him, we wish him every success at Oatlands Infant School.

“As a governing body we are now focussed on recruiting our new headteacher for Grove Road Community Primary School.”

Oatlands Infant School has a three-form intake of 90 pupils each year, with up to 270 pupils across reception, year one and year two.

At Grove Road, the annual intake is 40 pupils, with a total of just under 300 on the role in its seven year groups.

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Last year, Grove Road was set to be amalgamated with Woodfield Primary School as the latter faced closure following a damning Ofsted report.

However, governors withdrew support for the plans in April 2022 because of the potential risks. They said the consultation period had highlighted potential problems with support for the proposal and the likely number of applications, concluding:

“Ultimately, the governing board have concluded that we must prioritise the future of Grove Road School and so, sadly, we can no longer support the proposed amalgamation.”

Oatlands Infant School is part of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, alongside St Aidan’s C of E High School and seven primary schools, six of which are in the Harrogate district.

Most of its pupils go on to the nearby Oatlands Junior School, which is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust of 13 primary and secondary schools across North and West Yorkshire.

As part of the recruitment pack for the new headteacher, Oatlands Infant School said an Ofsted inspection was “likely before the end of this academic year”. The last, in 2013, rated the school ‘outstanding’.

It said the new head would lead the response to the outcome of the next inspection.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate businesswoman has won a lifetime achievement award.

Sue Cawthray, who is chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, was praised for her service to care catering at the Public Sector Catering Awards 2023.

The ceremony, which was held at the London Hilton Metropole on April 13, saw Ms Cawthray given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The awards celebrate the best catering operators working across schools, hospitals, care homes, universities, prisons, catering colleges and the military.

Ms Cawthray said:

“I am absolutely shocked and did not expect it. 

“I am just so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to do the job I do every day. I believe at Harrogate Neighbours we make a difference to people’s lives every day.”

She added:

“I have the most amazing team at Harrogate Neighbours who are dedicated and hardworking.

“I am just so grateful for the work they put in as well as their dedication and commitment because we do it together.”

Knaresborough not-for-profit exceeds numeracy scheme targets

A Knaresborough not-for-profit organisation has celebrated reaching its annual target for a numeracy scheme.

Better Connect launched its Multiply programme as part of a government initiative to improve maths skills for people from all backgrounds.

The scheme is scheduled to run for three years.

The organisation has gone on to exceed its targets for the first year of the scheme and have helped over 450 adults across eight districts in North Yorkshire, as well as engaging over 250 local employers to get involved.

Emma Lyons, Multiply programme manager at Better Connect, said:

“We’ve just completed year one, and we’ve absolutely smashed it. There’s been such great provision by such great partners, and we are really excited to move the programme forward on to year two.

“We’ve got even bigger and even better, so watch this space.”

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Man arrested after weapons and drugs found at Starbeck property

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after police found weapons and drugs at a house in Starbeck.

North Yorkshire Police made the discovery after initially receiving a call on Thursday (April 13) from someone concerned for the welfare of a dog.

Officers attended the property and found a strong smell of cannabis at the address before conducting a search.

A police statement added:

“A search took place and officers uncovered a large kukri style knife and a telescopic baton. 

“A large bag of what is suspected to be a class B drug, scales and several mobile phones were also found.”

Police arrested a 19-year-old on suspicion of possession of offensive weapon in a private place, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and possession with an intent to supply a class B drug.

He was interviewed and released under investigation.

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Follifoot primary school told to make improvements by inspectors

A primary school in Follifoot has been told to make changes by Ofsted after being rated as ‘requires improvement’ in its latest inspection.

Ofsted visited Follifoot Church of England Primary School on February 2 and 3 and published its report at the beginning of the Easter holiday. The school had previously been rated as “good”.

Four out of the five areas of inspection were rated as good. However, quality of education was graded as ‘requires improvement’.

Inspectors noted in the report that the school was welcoming, fostered pupils’ aspirations well and had high expectations for children, saying:

“Leaders foster pupils’ aspirations well. They have high expectations for every pupil to be successful. Older pupils value the opportunity to contribute to the life of the school through a range of different leadership roles, such as worship and play leaders.”

The report praised the way the pupils were prepared for life in modern Britain, with their personal development prioritised by the school’s leaders. Ofsted also found that leaders had a “good understanding” of the school’s strengths and weaknesses.

But its report that there was “too much variation” in the quality of education that pupils received.

The report said:

“Leaders have clearly identified the order in which pupils should learn important content. However, in some subjects, pupils have gaps in their knowledge and understanding. 

“This means that in some subjects, pupils cannot build on their previous learning because it is not secure.”

It added that some staff “lack expertise” when working with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

It said:

“Some staff lack expertise in supporting pupils with SEND. This means that the support pupils with SEND receive is inconsistent.

“Leaders should ensure that they continue to ensure that all relevant staff access high-quality training to support pupils with SEND.”

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The school, which has 56 pupils, was given a ‘good’ rating at its last full Ofsted inspection in April 2016.

In response to the latest rating, Rebecca Holland, headteacher at the school, said:

“The report has recognised so many of the strengths at Follifoot CE Primary School. Leadership and management, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and EYFS were all graded as good. 

“The inspection report provides clarity as to the position of the school in terms of the quality of education in February and a firm foundation for everyone in our Follifoot (and Federation) team to build on. 

“As the new headteacher, I am pleased that the inspection team confirmed our priorities are the right ones and that improvements have been made in a short space of time’.”

Meanwhile, David Harrington, chair of governors at the school, said:

“The governing body is proud of the commitment shown by all our staff at Follifoot. We are pleased with the number of positive comments made in the Ofsted report which reflect both the hard work of our staff and the progress which the school has made since Mrs Holland became Headteacher in September 2022. 

“Ofsted’s revised inspection framework rightly sets high standards for our curriculum and for the quality of education that we provide to our children. 

“The governing body is confident that the improvements sought by Ofsted in these areas can be delivered quickly and that Mrs Holland will continue to raise standards across the school.”

Bank holiday nurses’ strike to impact intensive care and cancer wards in Harrogate

Nurses at Harrogate District Hospital are set to take part in two days of industrial action over the upcoming May bank holiday.

The strike will take place from 8pm on Sunday, April 30, to 8pm on Tuesday, May 2.

Unlike the two previous Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strikes at the hospital on Lancaster Park Road this year, it will involve nurses working in emergency departments, intensive care, cancer and other wards.

It is taking place because members of the union rejected the government’s latest pay offer of a 5% rise plus a lump sum of at least £1,655.

Nurses on picket lines have said low pay is forcing nurses to leave the profession which is risking patient safety.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has been impacted by a series of national strikes over the last few months.

Last week, junior doctors took part in an unprecedented four days of industrial action over pay and there have been previous strikes by nurses and ambulance workers.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen wrote to health secretary Steve Barclay on Friday calling on him to make an improved offer to nurses “as soon as possible” in order to avert the strike.

Ms Cullen wrote:

“What has been offered to date is simply not enough. The government needs to increase what has already been offered and we will be highly critical of any move to reduce it.

“Since our talks in February, we have seen the pressures on the NHS continue to increase. The crisis in our health and care services cannot be addressed without significant action that addresses urgent recruitment and retention issues and nursing pay to bring this dispute to a close urgently.”

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A Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said the trust is developing “comprehensive plans” to “keep disruption to a minimum” at Harrogate hospital. They said emergency services will continue to operate as normal.

The spokesperson said:

“During strike action, urgent and emergency treatment will be our priority. We will be working with our nursing staff to deliver safe services, while facilitating and respecting the right of those staff who wish to take legal industrial action.

“Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. We will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Nobody should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes, and key services will continue to operate.

“For people who require medical assistance and are considering visiting our Emergency Department, unless it’s a life-threatening or a severe illness or injury, we would ask that they contact NHS 111 first either by calling or going online https://111.nhs.uk/. The NHS will help them right away and if they need urgent care, the NHS can book them in to be seen quickly and safely.

“People with life-threatening or severe illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and anyone who arrives at A&E without calling NHS 111 will still receive medical care, with those needing emergency treatment prioritised.

“While pay is a matter for government and the trade unions, we greatly value our staff and want to see a resolution as soon as possible to ensure we can continue to focus on delivering high quality patient care to all those who need it.”

New Harrogate planning committee to meet for first time

A new planning committee for Harrogate is set to meet for the first time next week.

Councillors on Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Planning Committee will hold their first meeting, which will see decisions made on two proposals.

The committee was formed after the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council more than two weeks ago.

On Tuesday, April 25, it will meet for the first time under North Yorkshire Council at Harrogate Civic Centre, the former headquarters of HBC on St Luke’s Avenue.

As part of the meeting, councillors will consider two applications.

The first, which has been submitted by Abacus Properties Ltd, proposes the demolition of a pallet store at Jubilee Court in Copgrove in order to relocate the store.

Meanwhile, a further application from Abacus plans to form a car park and landscaping scheme at the same site on Wath Lane.

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Both proposals are recommended for approval by council officers.

The meeting will be chaired by Liberal Democrat Cllr Pat Marsh, who was elected chair of the committee last month.

Following her election, she said:

“I am keen to make sure Harrogate and Knaresborough get the right planning decisions.

“It is about having local knowledge that can make all the difference. I have done 33 years of planning none stop and been involved in formulating four Local Plans.

“I have never chaired a planning committee but I think I have a few years’ experience to bring to the role and I am looking forward to that new role.”

The Harrogate committee will make decisions on proposals for 500 homes or less in the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency area.

A second committee called the strategic planning committee, which will hold meetings in Northallerton, will deal with major proposals, such as plans for 500 or more homes and employment sites.

Plans for Ripon will be overseen by the Ripon and Skipton Area Constituency Committee.

Harrogate hospital advertises for new chief executive

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is advertising for a new chief executive.

Steve Russell left the role last year to take up a secondment at NHS England as director for covid and flu vaccinations.

In December, it was confirmed Mr Russel had taken up a position as director of vaccination and screening permanently and would not be returning to Harrogate.

The trust, which runs both Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital, has been overseen by acting chief executive Jonathan Coulter since February 2022.

A notice on the trust’s website advertising the role closes on April 26 with interviews due to take place on May 10 and 11.

No details of salary is included. However, Mr Coulter is paid a salary of £181,000.

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The role requires a candidate to have five years’ experience at board or director level and to ensure the trust’s services are “safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led”.

The move to appoint a new chief executive comes as the trust tackles long waiting lists, A&E waiting times and junior doctors strikes.

Last month, the Care Quality Commission also rated Harrogate hospital’s maternity services as “requires improvement”.

However, Mr Coulter said the rating was “not a fair reflection” of the service.