A Harrogate care home manager has criticised the government’s NHS vaccine review, which was announced this week.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the policy of compulsory vaccines for NHS staff would be paused while a consultation is held on the policy.

But the pause was announced after it became a legal requirement for health and social care staff to be double vaccinated.

James Rycroft, managing director of Vida Health Care, which is based in Harrogate, said the mandate had led to a significant number of staff leaving the care sector.

He said:

“The social care sector has suffered significant losses to our workforce due to the compulsory vaccine policy at a time when we were already experiencing a national staffing crisis.”

Mr Rycroft added that the care sector has had to deal with the fallout of the policy without any support from government.

He said:

“I hope that by allowing staff back to the social care sector, even if they’re unvaccinated, we’ll be able to begin combatting the ongoing recruitment crisis, although the safety of everyone remains our main priority so we would have to ensure precautions are in place.”

Hospital to continue to encourage staff vaccination

Meanwhile, Harrogate hospital officials have said they will continue to encourage staff to get the vaccine despite the review.

Of the 5,000 staff employed by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, 98% have had at least one dose of a covid vaccine and 97% are double vaccinated.

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Angela Wilkinson, director of workforce and organisational development at the trust, said staff had been encouraged to get a vaccine through a variety of communications including weekly online videos, emails and one-to-one conversations with managers.

Ms Wilkinson said:

“Vaccines save lives and are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. 

“Since the development of a vaccine for the covid virus, we have actively encouraged our staff to get their jabs. 

“We have provided staff with a wide variety of information including how they can get their vaccinations and what the benefits are. We have also engaged with staff who have not had the vaccination to support them, allay any fears and dispel any myths.”

She added:

“We await the outcome of the consultation on ending vaccination as a condition of deployment as this will determine whether staff in patient facing roles will need to be legally required to have the vaccination if they wish to work for our trust.

“Nonetheless, we will continue to encourage all of our staff to have the covid-19 vaccination.”

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to convert space above shops on Cambridge Street into apartments.

Aegon Property Income Fund lodged the proposal to create five flats on the upper floors of 6-14 Cambridge Street.

The ground floor of the properties is currently occupied by the Card Factory and two empty units which were formerly the Phone Doctor and Smiggle. For many years the site was home to Carphone Warehouse.

Under the proposal, the upper floors would be converted into three one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments.

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The developer said the flats would be designed with “modern living” in mind. They will be open plan and include dining and kitchen arrangements.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said:

“The site is in a highly sustainable location within the town centre, accessible by a range of sustainable modes of transport including train and bus as well as walking and cycling.

“The proposal creates additional accommodation within the town centre which will help to contribute to an improved range and distribution of housing and will increase activity in the town centre beyond the normal working day leading to greater natural ‘surveillance’ through a more vibrant after work environment.”

Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate is launching a 10km multi-terrain race to raise money for the Queen’s platinum jubilee initiative to plant more trees.

The Rudding ParkRace, as it will be known, will take participants through 300 acres of parkland.

Profits from the race will be donated to The Queen’s Green Canopy, an initiative that encourages people to plant a tree in honour of the jubilee.

The race will be held on Tuesday, May 10 and the 18th century hotel will act as a backdrop for the finish line.

Simon Mackaness, owner of Rudding Park, said:

The NHS trust that runs hospitals in Harrogate and Ripon is to maintain visitor restrictions while coronavirus case rates remain high.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust imposed restrictions at Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital on December 23 amid concerns about the Omicron variant.

It means visitors are only allowed for patients on end of life care, patients with a learning disability or severe cognitive impairment such as dementia. Parents or carers of children and birthing partners are also permitted.

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• Number of covid patients at Harrogate Hospital increases sharply to 34
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At the time, the hospital said it would review the restrictions regularly and relax them “at the earliest opportunity”.

However, although the government removed all Plan B measures a week ago, the trust has yet to say when regular visits will resume.

A spokesperson for the trust said today:

“Visitor guidance has not changed since December 23, 2021, although it is regularly reviewed.

“While infection rates remain at the current levels, we need to maintain the current restrictions on visitors to our wards for the safety of our patients and staff.

“These restriction also still apply to those people wanting to accompany outpatients to their appointments.

“Anyone entering our hospital will also need to wear a mask, ensure they sanitise their hands and maintain social distancing.”

Another 339 covid infections were recorded in the Harrogate district yesterday, bringing the seven-day average to 1,305 cases per 100,000 people — the highest in North Yorkshire and considerably above the England rate of 1,048.

Michelin-starred chef Frances Atkins is to open her new Paradise Cafe at Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall this month.

The cafe, run by Ms Atkins, chef Roger Olive and front of house manager John Tullett, will be open six days a week from 9am until 5pm. It will be closed on Mondays.

The trio, who have all worked together for 20 years, have been operating out of a wagon at the garden centre for the last 18 months.

The Paradise Cafe wagon has served its last meal.

The wagon has now finished trading as attention turns to the new venture.

A post on the Paradise Cafe Facebook page said:

“It has taken longer than we anticipated to finish the cafe given the various curveballs we have all been thrown in the last two years.

“From today we are using all our time to be fully prepared for our opening date.”

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The post added:

“To begin with, Friday evening will be open for a series of special dinners, these will be bookings only and there will be more information coming shortly.

“We look forward to progressing our opening times and our takeaway business in the future as we develop.”

For some it can be a ringing in their ear, for others it could be a buzzing or even a hissing noise.

Tinnitus can be a particularly annoying condition as it causes a person to hear sounds that are not generated by the outside world – so the noises can’t just be switched off.

Fortunately, most get used to the sound, with it fading into the background as they go about their daily lives.

But for a small group, it can be distressing, and these people are often told there is little that can be done to help them.

Structured approaches

However there are structured approaches that can give back control.

Speaking ahead of Tinnitus Week, which takes place from February 7-13, Emily Balmer, founder and lead audiologist of The Hearing Suite, Harrogate, said:

“A lot of people say they have got tinnitus and it doesn’t bother them. It’s almost just like the soundtrack to their lives, which is totally fine.

“It’s that little group that it’s bothersome for and is distressing and upsetting for that need help.

“But it doesn’t always have to be distressing. There are things people can do to have it and live well with it.”

Emily, who specialises in tinnitus, explained that all her patients described the condition differently.

She said:

“It’s usually a ringing or a buzzing, but some people do get music. Some people say it’s like a twinkly sound.

“If it’s there and they are happy, we are happy. The only time we would start digging a little bit deeper is if it’s only in one ear, if it sounds like a heartbeat, if it’s stopping them sleeping or driving them to distraction.”

British Tinnitus Association

About 30 per cent of people will experience the condition at some point, according to the British Tinnitus Association, with approximately 13 per cent of UK adults living with persistent tinnitus.

Led by the British Tinnitus Association, Tinnitus Week is aimed at helping people to find out more about the condition, who it affects and ways to live well with it.

Emily said:

“Tinnitus awareness week is really good, because it is run by the British Tinnitus Association and they are amazing.

“They are a charity, they do events which raise awareness, and publish research. If ever there was a cure for tinnitus, it would be them who shouted it from the rooftop.

“While there isn’t a cure, it’s about managing it. There are things you can do, but unfortunately there isn’t a tablet that will just make it go away.”

Take back control

At The Hearing Suite, Emily said she and fellow tinnitus specialist, Laura, work through three main areas to help people take back control:

Education

“Before we can start to manage someone’s tinnitus, we have to understand why it is there. We need to understand what else was happening when it started, how long its been present, how healthy each part of the ear is, and the pitch of the tinnitus itself.

“From there we can decide if we need further investigation from our ear, nose and throat consultant. Then is looking at the resources and learning that might benefit the individual.”

Sound enrichment

“If there is hearing to build back in we always do that first. If we can stop someone straining to hear then it takes pressure from the auditory system. A trial of one of our invisible hearing aids like Lyric is often a great place to start.

“If the hearing is perfect we can start to explore things like ear level maskers with fractal tones or notch therapy.”

Stress management

“We often find that stress is intrinsically linked to tinnitus. Getting people to restart a hobby, or take a little time for them is often hugely beneficial. There is also a strong evidence base for mindfulness and other types of relaxation reducing tinnitus. We tend to recommend based on the motivations and interests of the individual.”

Free events

The Hearing Suite will be hosting three complimentary events during Tinnitus Week.

Emily said:

“The week helps to raise awareness of the condition. Say if someone has tinnitus, when would you be in the circumstances where you would tell someone?

“You might feel like you’re the only person in Harrogate for instance, when actually when you’re in a restaurant, there are probably five other people in there who have got it.

“It’s a bit of solidarity and driving people to good resources.”

Emily carries out a consultation at The Hearing Suite.

The free Tinnitus Week events at The Hearing Suite are as follows:

Tinnitus: An Introduction Monday, February 7, 3pm – 5pm

This event will provide an overview on the subject on tinnitus, including what causes and contributes to tinnitus, how it impacts quality of life, and an introduction to some treatment options.

Tickets available here

Tinnitus and Stress Wednesday, February 9, 1pm – 3pm

Tinnitus and stress are known to be closely linked. This event will offer insights into the relationship between tinnitus and stress, and how stress management can in turn help to reduce the perceived intensity and burden of tinnitus.

Tickets available here

 Tinnitus: Options in 2022 Thursday, February 10, 10am – 12pm

Management of tinnitus often requires a multifaceted approach. This event will provide education on the evidence-based tools and treatment options currently available for tinnitus.

Tickets available here

• The Tinnitus Week events will be hosted at The Hearing Suite, on East Parade, which is now in its fourth year.
• Places will be limited to six per event. Please note attendees will be required to wear a face covering. Team members at The Hearing Suite wear visors to allow for clients who lip read.
• If you would prefer a private consultation to talk about your tinnitus, you can book in with Emily here.

A Harrogate furniture reuse charity has helped to furnish four properties for female survivors of domestic abuse.

Essential Needs, on Leeds Road, has partnered with Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS), which is the largest specialist domestic abuse charity in Yorkshire.

The homes in the Harrogate area will be used by women moving away from violence and abuse.

Essential Needs provided four of each of the following items; sofa, bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside drawer, kitchen table and chairs, coffee table, TV and TV unit, microwave, kettle, toaster and vacuum.

Lee Wright, manager at Essential Needs said:

“Essential Needs wanted to support IDAS as their work is lifesaving and the pandemic has made conditions for victim-survivors even worse.

“It was great to be able to partner in a way that drew on both our strengths as charities, supporting people who really need the help and to give them the best chance of living a life free from abuse and violence.”

Lucinda, a fake name, is one of the survivors that has moved into one of the properties. She said:

“The flat is lovely and homely, it is great to have the freedom to be able to go for walks again. The staff have been really lovely, and kind and it makes me feel safe to know that they are just a phone call away.

“I was so worried about how I would do this on my own but now all my worries about moving have gone away. I am safe.”

Read more:

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Essential Needs sells donated furniture at low prices at its Leeds Road warehouse.

IDAS said all the properties now have residents that are getting the support they need to recover from their experience and rebuild. It added it was always looking to accommodate and help more survivors of domestic abuse so will likely partner with Essential Needs again.

Mel Milner, project officer for IDAS dispersed housing and safe havens in Harrogate and district area, said:

“We are very grateful for the generosity of our partners at Essential Needs. When survivors escape abuse, it’s so important that it represents more than just a roof over their heads, so we work hard to furnish our properties with everything you would need to have the best fresh start.”

A review has found Harrogate Borough Council should have acted quicker on controversial housing plans for the derelict Dunlopillo building in Pannal.

Residents, councillors and Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones all criticised the council when it approved plans for 48 apartments at the site last September.

The decision was made at officer level and without a vote from councillors, which led to the council launching an internal review into how it handled the plans submitted under rules called permitted development rights.

A report has now concluded a “longer period of time than ideal” was spent on parts of the process.

It also said residents should have been consulted with sooner and that this could have allowed time for a vote from councillors.

Despite this, the council said the plans were still “appropriately considered”.

A council spokesperson said:

“The lessons learnt review regarding the former Dunlopillo site in Pannal found that the case was appropriately considered by officers and determined in-line with the appropriate legislation.

“It was acknowledged that some internal process areas could be strengthened, including prioritisation of such applications in the future and a greater overview by senior officers.”

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The report explained that extra time was spent on the application because it was the first the council had received under permitted development rights, which fast-track the conversion of empty buildings into homes.

Since the plans were passed new proposals have since been submitted for the Station Road site with a reduced number of apartments to replace the derelict office building which has been described as a “monstrosity”.

Echo Green Developments now wants to build 38 apartments at the site, which pillows and bedding manufacturer Dunlopillo moved out of in 2008.

The proposed building is still two-storeys higher than the existing offices – something which has been a key concern for residents who are fearful the development will have a major visual impact on the area.

‘Improvements could be made’

Mr Jones had urged residents to make their voices heard on the latest plans and has now welcomed the conclusion of the review.

He said: 

“I was pleased to see that the council had done an internal review on the matter and concluded that, although all the correct factors were taken into account in reaching a decision, there were improvements in the process that could be made.

“I know planners have a difficult job with ever-changing laws and guidance. I know too that they rarely have to take decisions on issues which are uncontroversial.

“That is why I am really encouraged that they have taken the time to look back, evaluate and implement changes in regard of this brand-new class of permitted development.”

Mr Jones added: 

“After the initial submission which prompted my concerns over the decision-making process, the applicants submitted a new proposal for the Dunlopillo site.

“This superseded the earlier decision and time was available to get the application before a planning committee.

“I think this shows that not only did planners critically evaluate what had been done previously, but they implemented the positive changes identified in the report.

“I am grateful that they took this approach irrespective of the outcome of the process.”

A decision on the latest plans is expected this month.

Police and firefighters rescued a “man in distress” who climbed scaffolding in Harrogate last night.

A concerned eyewitness called the police when they saw the man make his way to the top of the three-storey building next to Harrogate Homeless Project on Bower Street.

Officers attended the incident at around 7pm and managed to convince him to make his way back to the ground after about an hour of negotiations.

The man, who has not been named, was then taken to Harrogate District Hospital for treatment and support.

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“North Yorkshire Police received a report of a man in distress who had climbed scaffolding on Bower Street in Harrogate just before 7pm yesterday.

“Officers attended and spoke to the man, who came back down at about 8pm. He was taken to hospital to receive the support and treatment he needs.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said:

“Fire crews from Harrogate along with the aerial ladder platform attended an incident to assist police and paramedics with a male, who was left in their care.”

A school bus was involved in a minor collision this morning in the Harrogate district.

The incident involving students from Harrogate Grammar School happened on the A658 Harrogate Road, close to Leathley Farm Shop and Cafe at about 8am.

No children were hurt.

The incident led to rush hour delays from Pool-in-Wharfedale to Huby.

A Harrogate Grammar School spokeswoman confirmed three children were on the bus at the time and that none sustained injuries.

The spokeswoman described the incident as a “mild shunt” and said the bus company acted promptly to get the children safely to school.

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The Stray Ferret understands the crash involved one other vehicle.

North Yorkshire Police said there were no reports of injuries but declined to give further details.