Some staff at Harrogate District Hospital are selling their annual leave and applying for further financial help in a desperate bid to make ends meet.

The hospital is allowing NHS workers to trade time off for extra payments until the end of the year, while a hardship fund has also been set up to help with the soaring costs of energy, fuel and food.

This comes at a time when staff are set to vote on strike action over a below-inflation pay offer which unions have described as another real-terms pay cut.

Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, told a board meeting today that he had “always been against” staff selling annual leave, but the cost of living crisis now meant that providing support was “absolutely vital”.

He said:

“My justification for this is that the financial position of some staff is putting them under more stress than the benefit of having a holiday.”

A total of 17 staff have so far applied for extra payments instead of time off, while 271 applications have been made to the hospital’s hardship fund, which is offering grants of up to £500.

Read more:

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Wallace Sampson, hospital trust board member and chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, said he had “mixed feelings” about staff being able to sell annual leave as he believes it is “very much needed” to help with their wellbeing.

In response, Mr Coulter said he agreed but this was the preference of some workers and that a five-day limit on the amount of time off that can be traded would ensure staff do get some down time.

He said:

“There is an absolute maximum of five days, so staff can’t sell all of their annual leave.

“We have agreed the policy for this year as a one-off, partly recognising that people have a lot of annual leave because of covid.

“We will need to review the initiatives, but at the moment they are absolutely vital.”

Winter strike possible

His comments come as strike action could span across several months this winter after the Royal College of Midwives union notified hospital bosses that it will ballot its members over pay.

Other unions including GMB and Unison are also said to be making preparations for a vote.

The prospect of staff striking at what is always a busy time for under-strain services in winter has been described as “worrying” by senior officials at Harrogate District Hospital, which has begun making contingency plans.

Around 100 of the hospital’s lowest-paid staff will see an uplift from a rise in the legal minimum wage to £10.90 in October.

However, Dr Suzanne Tyler, executive director at the RCM union, said the government needed to go further and give all workers a better pay rise after its members rejected a 4% increase offer.

Dr Tyler said in a statement:

“Our members have spoken and just like us they believe a below inflation pay award is not good enough, they deserve more.

“The results and turnout speaks volumes about the feelings of a fragile, exhausted, and undervalued workforce, because taking industrial action is always the very last resort for midwives and maternity staff.

“They obviously now see no other alternative to getting a fair and just pay award from their governments.”

Harrogate Borough Council granted permission for Harrogate Spring Water to test the council’s borehole at its horticultural nursery on Harlow Hill, documents reveal — so the company could explore a potential new water source. 

The Stray Ferret has obtained emails between the company and the council via a freedom of information request. They reveal Harrogate Spring Water tested the borehole in May this year and is continuing to investigate groundwater in the area.

Boreholes are used to extract water from the ground. Harrogate Spring Water bottles water from a bore hole at its headquarters on Harlow Moor Road, on land owned by the council and leased to the company.

Much of the land surrounding the facility, including the Pinewoods and Harlow Hill nursery, is also owned by the council.

As part of the firm’s lease agreement with the council, water is extracted from two boreholes on the Harlow Moor Road site. There is a third borehole on Pennypot Bridge.

The council grows its floral displays at Harlow Hill nursery and sells plants, pots and compost to the public there, although it plans to sell the site for housing and move the nursery elsewhere. It also has a on-site borehole that it uses to water plants.

Investigations in the area

Harrogate Spring Water is set to submit fresh plans to increase the size of its bottling plant within the next few months and emails suggest the company may also be looking for new sources of water to help the company expand.

An email from Harrogate Spring Water to the council, dated June 6, reveals the council gave the company permission to perform “some testing work” on its borehole at Harlow Hill nursery in the previous month.

However, it says the results “weren’t what Harrogate Spring were looking for”.

Email from Harrogate Spring Water to Harrogate Borough Council on June 6

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• Residents unconvinced about Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion

The email continues to say the company would like to survey the land around Harlow Moor Road to find out “where the best potential for water might be and how the water is working”.

Follow-up emails between two council officers, whose names were redacted, query if these tests are to identify new water sources.

A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group, the charity that looks after the Pinewoods, said the testing of boreholes in the area was a “major concern”.

They said the charity had received reports from visitors of investigative works taking place in the Pinewoods recently, adding:

“We’ve had assurances before around no further expansion plans but confirmation that more boreholes are being investigated around the Pinewoods area is a major concern for us.

“Several visitors reported seeing investigative works happening within the Pinewoods itself recently, without any notice of this from either Harrogate Spring Water or Harrogate council.

“We would encourage all parties to be transparent on their longer terms plans and involve the relevant stakeholders as required.”

Harrogate Spring Water’s statement

A spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water confirmed it had performed testing at the council borehole at Harlow Nurseries. It said this was to “understand the potential availability of water” from beneath the ground.

They said it is also exploring the land around Harlow Moor Road and the Pinewoods for similar reasons.

They described this as a “routine part” of the management of their water sources.

The spokesperson also said the company had “no immediate plans” for a new borehole, but that if “an opportunity to enhance our water security arose”, they would consider it.

The full statement is below:

“Over the summer, we have been doing a geophysical survey of parts of the land to the rear of our facility in order to create a 3D map of its geology.

“The reason for the survey is to better understand the bedrock geology in the area as part of our aquifer management and to better understand the potential water capability of the aquifer. This is a routine part of the responsible management of our water source, alongside work such as weekly monitoring of borehole performance via depth and meter readings and weekly rainfall recording.

“We work with a local family-run company that helps us manage our boreholes and explore the areas around Harrogate for new sustainable sources of high-quality water, which is a prudent part of responsible water management.

“We have no immediate plans for a new borehole, but if an opportunity to enhance our water security arose, and a landowner showed an interest in having us drill on their land, we would work with that landowner and the Environment Agency to ensure that any source was 100% sustainable, in compliance with the regulatory regime.

“The boreholes which we use take up only a few square metres of land, which is normally in a corner of a field or hidden by a screen of shrubs or trees.”

A missing man from the Harrogate district has been found safe.

North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal this afternoon for information to find the man, who was last seen leaving his home on Tuesday this week.

But the force reported tonight that the man had been traced.

We have therefore updated this article and removed the man’s name and photo.

Some good news!

The 40 year old man from the Harrogate area has been found safe and well.

Thank you for your support with the appeal. pic.twitter.com/7YlsbsISE7

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) September 28, 2022

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Yorkshire Water is to give low-income households in the Harrogate district £70 payments to help with the cost of living crisis.

The company announced today it will automatically award the payment to customers on its social tariffs.

It comes as people across the district has seen energy bills increase and the price of goods and services hike with inflation.

Yorkshire Water said that up to 45,000 people will receive an automatic discount on their bills. However, it also estimates that a further 200,000 could be eligible for support.

Angie Markham–Nock, customer support manager at Yorkshire Water, said: 

“We know a lot of customers are worried about money at the moment and we’re seeing more people than ever benefit from our financial support schemes. We hope this £70 payment will provide some relief to households across Yorkshire this year.

“We don’t want our customers to worry about paying their next bill – our financial support schemes are there to help and can provide some relief to those who need it.”

The company has urged people who may be eligible for a discount to get in touch. You can find out more information on the support on water bills here.

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Two gritters powered by electricity are to join North Yorkshire’s winter fleet to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

The North Yorkshire County Council-owned company NY Highways has bought the gritters, which are supplied by Dorking-based Bucher Municipal.

According to the council, the vehicles have an anticipated fuel saving of up to 20 per cent compared to standard, diesel-powered gritters. It said in a media release:

“The gritting bodies which deploy the salt will run on an electric battery that can charge in just over 30 minutes. The battery will be able to do multiple runs before needing to be recharged.”

North Yorkshire has a 5,753-mile network of roads. The council’s winter gritting programme to maintain key routes lasts from October to April.

Cllr Keane Duncan

Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:

“The electric-bodied gritters are a first for the council’s winter service delivery.

“Innovation is high on our agenda and it is another way we are showing our commitment to achieving net carbon neutrality by 2030.

“The two gritters don’t have any hydraulics which mean there’s less chance of mechanical failure. This increased reliability is vital when we are against the clock trying to deliver the best winter service that we can.”

Picture shows: From left, Andrew Park and Chris Mitchell of Bucher Municipal, Nigel Smith, head of highway operations at North Yorkshire County Council, Rory Hanrahan and Craig Winter of NY Highways, and Mike Francis, operations manager at NY Highways.

Read more:

• Calls to grit more Harrogate district roads set to be rejected
• Harrogate hospital plans new £14m operating theatres

Harrogate District Hospital is planning a £14 million project to create two new operating theatres in an effort to tackle waiting times for treatment.

The scheme would see two additional operating theatres, two procedure rooms and a 12-bed ward for patients who require extended stays in care built on the site.

The hospital currently has six operating theatres, including general and emergency surgery.

Officials at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the move would help to increase capacity for operations and reduce waiting times for both planned and emergency surgery.

The project forms part of a national funding scheme to help hospitals tackle long waiting lists.

A spokesperson for the hospital trust told the Stray Ferret:

“The number of theatres currently at our trust/Harrogate District Hospital limits the number of operations we can undertake on a weekly basis.

“Additional theatres will enable us to treat more patients each week, which will reduce waits for both planned and emergency operations.”

Read more:

• Harrogate care costs climb to £54,000 a year as ‘colossal’ price rises bite
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The trust added that the project will also help to “future proof” the hospital for a growth in population and changes in demographic in the district.

The scheme has been submitted to senior NHS officials and is currently being reviewed.

Trust officials said they expected a response on grant funding within the next four weeks. However, the project would also require planning permission before it goes ahead.

25,500 patients waiting

It comes as Harrogate hospital is currently tackling a long waiting list for patients awaiting treatment.

According to the trust’s own board papers, there were 25,564 patients waiting for an operation at the end of August.

Of that number, 1,297 had been waiting more than 52 weeks.

While the overall number of patients waiting is down by 65 on July, it is an increase of 3,396 on the same time last year.

In a report to the board, Jonathan Coulter, chief executive at the trust, said:

“We have had a difficult summer and we are now moving towards winter knowing that the current level of acute pressures and community services workload are already significant.

“Combined with the need to reduce our elective care backlog, the challenges that we are managing are significant.”

The directors of Harrogate-based estate agency Knight Frank have set up an independent business.

The change will see the directors launch a new company with a fresh identity called North Residential.

Harlan Pollitt and Daniel Rigg secured independent ownership of the business after operating in Harrogate for 15 years.

The team will continue to be located on Harrogate’s Albert Street, with the office currently undergoing refurbishment.

Emma Kingham has been promoted to director, Harriet Cheshire has also become a director and Fiona Lippell, who has been with the business for over 15 years, remains office manager.

A statement by North Residential said that although it was independent, it would “maintain an amicable working relationship and continue to collaborate as necessary” with Knight Frank, which operates internationally.

Mr Pollitt said:

“Whilst retaining our position as the leading estate agent in Harrogate, we have plans to invest considerably to expand into more regions over the next few years.

“We are thrilled that our existing, highly valued team, that have become known and respected within the local community over many years, will each have an incentive in helping to make it even more successful.”

Read more:

• Harrogate estate agent records £15m turnover
• Harrogate gym to lift one million kilos in memory of Jamie Leese

Members of a Harrogate gym are to attempt to lift one million kilograms to raise money in memory of former client Jamie Leese.

Jamie died in May aged 30 following a long battle with a brain tumour. After his diagnosis at the age of 21, he trained regularly at Fitness Garage with personal trainer Guy Lister.

From midday on October 8, Fitness Garage personal trainers, clients, family and friends will take part in the Lift For Jamie challenge to raise money for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity.

They will work in pairs to lift their choice of weights — whether that is deadlifts, bench presses or squats.

The event is designed to be inclusive with no time limits or weight requirements for participants.

Andy Gardner, co-owner of Fitness Garage said:

“As a community, we wanted to come together to remember Jamie.

“Given his regular workouts for the nine years he was undergoing treatment, a weightlifting challenge seemed like a fitting tribute to Jamie whilst also raising funds for a charity that was close to his heart and that of his family.”

The event aims to raise £2,500 for the local charity, which supported Jamie during his treatment.

Harrogate district estate agents Verity Frearson are supported the event through their 100 Days of Giving campaign, which supports local causes as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.

You can donate here.

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• Charity shop opens tomorrow on Harrogate’s Oxford Street

North Yorkshire’s police, fire and crime commissioner has said she would still consider proposed changes to Harrogate’s fire crews “even if the service had millions of pounds in the bank”.

Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe is due to announce her decision on the plans to cut the number of night-time fire engines to just one on Thursday.

She has argued that the changes would allow Harrogate fire station to have two better-equipped fire engines during the day when emergencies are more likely to occur.

Commissioner Metcalfe has also said the proposals – which are part of a new risk and resource model – would allow for investment in fire prevention.

Asked at a council meeting last night whether she would still consider the plans if the fire service was better funded, commissioner Metcalfe said she “would still be doing this” and that she was “very assured” residents will be “kept safe”.

She said:

“We are always looking at different ways to get additional money into the fire service.

“We have this juxtaposition where North Yorkshire Police is what I would call well funded, but the fire service has just only got a balanced budget.

“As far as I am concerned about the risk and resource modelling, I would still be doing this even if we had a lot of money in the bank.”

Currently, Harrogate fire station has one fire engine which can respond to all emergencies and a smaller “tactical response” vehicle that both operate around the clock.

Under the proposals put forward by the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the smaller vehicle would be replaced by a larger fire engine, but it would only be crewed during the day.

The plans have drawn criticism from North Yorkshire’s Fire Brigades Union which said the changes along with similar proposals for Scarborough and Huntington would leave the county with a “second-rate emergency response service that will put lives at risk”.

Commissioner Metcalfe has repeatedly insisted that the proposals have been based on “extensive” risk assessments which look at when and where emergencies are most likely to occur.

She also said the changes would allow for improvements in other areas including the fire service’s on-call model which means only five out of 38 fire stations are currently crewed 24 hours a day.

These are Acomb, Harrogate, Huntington, Scarborough and York fire stations.

Commissioner Metcalfe told last night’s meeting: “It is really important to realise that our community risk profile makes sure that we identify where the risks are and that the right amount of resources are in place.

“It is also absolutely right that we invest in prevention and protection, as well as our on-call model which desperately needs attention.”

Runners from across the Harrogate district will descend on the capital this weekend for the 42nd London Marathon.

Held in October for the third time because of the impact of the covid pandemic, it will see 40,000 people cover the 26.2-mile route around the city, with a further 10,000 expected to take part virtually around the country.

The Stray Ferret is sharing the stories of local participants in the run-up to the event on Sunday, October 2.

If you’re taking part and would like to be included, email details to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Record attempt for unicorn runner

Jeremie Maillard from Harrogate will have two challenges in front of him as he crosses the start line on Sunday.

First, he will need to complete the distance – and second, he hopes to become the fastest runner to complete the course dressed as a mythical creature.

The Guinness World Record attempt is not his first foray into costumed running. Jeremie said:

“Having run London Marathon several times over the years, having completed it once dressed as a Ninja Turtle, I absolutely love the support from the crowd. So why not combining the running experience whilst fundraising for a great cause?

“If you see a unicorn on a practice ride ahead of the big day in October, you are not dreaming. You might not recognise the runner under the mask, but be sure that I will be sweating whilst struggling to see through my nostrils.”

Jeremie has already surpassed his £250 fundraising target for the Alzheimer’s Research UK, and donations are still coming in. To sponsor him, click here.

Early Bird runner takes on challenge for hospice

A Harrogate man will show his gratitude to the hospice that cared for his father by raising funds this weekend.

Nick Page’s father Warren was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and underwent treatment for more than five years.

In early 2021, he was placed under the care of the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice community team, who provided help to Warren and his wife. Nick said:

“As his health deteriorated, it was November that year he recognised the need for more specialist care and was admitted to the hospice for what turned out to be his last two weeks.

“At that time, for us as a family, the word hospice had negative connotations and it was initially a battle to be able to talk about.

“The reality was very different from what I had envisaged. Yes it is a medical setting but with a calm and empathetic atmosphere and the staff were incredibly kind and supportive.

“Covid restrictions were in place at that time, however, we were always welcomed and had great comfort knowing that Dad was in safe hands and I believe that his last days and hours were peaceful.”

Nick’s daughter India, now nine months old, was born just two weeks after his father’s funeral in January this year. The whole family has continued to receive support from Sue Ryder this year.

Nick has also found comfort from a running group in Harrogate, which has helped to inspire his marathon training too. He said:

“I joined the Early Bird Run Crew, who run every morning in Harrogate. It was established with the primary goal of improving mental and physical health and has given me the opportunity to use exercise as an outlet.

“The crew are a really encouraging group of people and this has helped me push myself with my training and preparation for running the marathon.

“Through the friendships that have been formed I’ve not done a long training run alone and one of the crew, Andy, will be running the marathon with me. With mental health now being a regular topic of conversation, we will sometimes go for a coffee (or a beer) and talk openly about mental health.

“It’s been a great support and the driver behind me completing a Mental Health First Aid course as well as becoming a wellbeing ambassador at my place of work because I want to channel my experiences into helping others in a similar situation.”

To donate to Nick’s fundraising, click here.

Marathon efforts for friends of young cancer patient

A former Ripon Grammar School pupil will run the London Marathon this weekend to support her friend who has been going through gruelling cancer treatment.

Lucy Verity, who left the school in 2018, was diagnosed with the rare bone cancer Ewing Sarcoma in January last year. She has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as having 21 blood transfusions.

The young Masham resident has already raised more than £35,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which has supported her through her treatment, and the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

Her friend Ruby Beardsall, right, will run the marathon this weekend, while her brother Oliver will take on the York Marathon later in October.

Lucy’s mum Gaynor said:

“Bone cancer is a brutal cancer and needs a very aggressive treatment regime.

“We couldn’t have got through the last 19 months without the support of the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and its dedicated link nurse. At the moment the charity can’t reach all the patients it would like to due to lack of funding.

“The Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT), based in Leeds, receives no government funding and every penny raised counts towards research and providing support and information on bone cancer.”

To donate to Lucy’s fundraising, click here.

Running in memory of Dad

Knaresborough runner Tom Kilmurray will be raising money for the MS Society in memory of his father, Bob, who died from the illness last year.

Bob had been diagnosed with MS 16 years earlier and was cared for by his wife, Tom’s mum. In his younger days, Bob was a runner too, and Knaresborough Striders member Tom is following in his footsteps.

Bob Kilmurray, left, completing the London Marathon in 1983 and son Tom in training this year

Tom said:

“I really wanted to do something in memory of my dad and show support to other carers out there like my mum. Like me, running was big part of my dad’s life and in 1983 he ran the London Marathon in three hours and six minutes.

“It has been awful to see someone who was so active and energetic slowly deteriorate, plus watch the strain it put on my mum, who was my dad’s full-time carer for the last few years of his life. Running London has been a long-held ambition but running in my dad’s footsteps for this charity will be extra special.”

A familiar face at local Parkruns, Tom has set himself a target of £2,000. To sponsor Tom, click here.

Former Ripon pupil supporting women’s rights in Afghanistan

A former Ripon Grammar School pupil is preparing to run the marathon on Sunday to help protect some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

Edward Lyons, who left the school in 2016 for a degree in politics, philosophy and economics at King’s College, London, is raising money for Afghanaid.

Having since worked as a Treasury economist, he said the charity is close to his heart:

“Afghanaid works with marginalised groups in the Afghan community, helping to provide emergency aid, and assisting communities with resources and education to help support them through political turmoil, human rights atrocities, and other devastating challenges.

“Having experienced first-hand the monumental effort of colleagues in Her Majesty’s Treasury to support vulnerable citizens from Afghanistan via the Afghan Resettlement Scheme, this is something I feel extremely passionate about.”

As well as hoping to raise more than £1,500, Ed is aiming for a sub-three hour marathon. He said his own experiences of fundraising events at school have helped to inspire him to continue doing what he can to support good causes.

His passion for economics and politics led him to set up the RGS Politics Society while in sixth form, driving him towards his future career.