A Harrogate man who claims he caught coronavirus in hospital has called for greater protections for patients.
Tom Linden, who is 64, was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance a couple of weeks ago on January 27.
With chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure and diabetes, Mr Linden is in the at-risk group for coronavirus.
He feared going into hospital but when he developed fluid retention complications, a symptom of COPD, he had no choice.
On entering hospital he tested negative for coronavirus so was taken to the Byland Ward with five other COPD patients.
Mr Linden, who in normal times is in and out of hospital quite regularly, told the Stray Ferret:
“We were all tested for coronavirus on a daily basis. The staff came in on one night and told one of the six of us that they had coronavirus. As I was awake they told me as well.
“The same happened again another night. We raised our concerns about coronavirus safety in the ward and asked them to leave the door open and open the window but they dismissed us.
“On the third time they told me I had coronavirus. They moved me into the Nidderdale ward with the other coronavirus patients and I have a private room where I am calling you from now.
“Now I have to keep telling them to close the door behind them when they come into the room. I am absolutely terrified. I don’t think I am going to make it.”
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- ‘Really good progress’ as vaccine reaches 175,000 people
Harrogate District Hospital is under significant pressure at the moment. As of yesterday, it had 61 coronavirus. Down just three from an all time high of 64 patients last week.
A spokesperson for the hospital said:
“We have reviewed the comments made by Mr Linden and we are confident that the care provided has been what would be expected.
“Hospitals are safe places to be to receive care if needed.
“At Harrogate District Hospital, we follow strict infection prevention and control measures to protect both our colleagues and our patients, and these are adhered to at all times.
“Some of the measures include opening the windows where possible once every hour for 10 minutes.
“We have plastic curtains in between all beds (that are not two metres apart) which are wiped clean regularly.
“All colleagues involved in patient care are asked to self-test for covid-19 twice a week and report in the results.
“This helps to keep people safe and prevent asymptomatic spread of covid-19.
“Should anyone’s subsequent tests come back positive, then we have plans in place to provide appropriate care.”
The hospital’s press office also added that staff are well versed in PPE and that patients get PPE when they arrive.
‘Sneak peek’ at Harrogate’s new pancake shackA new pancake house is opening in Harrogate today and the owner has promised that it will taste flipping good.
Tossers Pancake Shack, based at 53 Bo Grove on Grove Road, will open for the first time at 12pm today. Just in time for Pancake Day next Tuesday.
It will serve up mini Dutch-style pancakes as well as the more traditional crepes. Each can be served with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings.
The name of ‘Tossers’ has already proved a little too crude for some.
So the owner has challenged readers of the Stray Ferret to pick out a better one. The winner will receive a full tray of Dutch pancakes with all the trimmings.
Comment on the Facebook post where we shared this article with your entries.
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Kyrensa Bentley, owner of 53 Bo’Grove, told the Stray Ferret ahead of the opening:
“We just want to inject a little bit of fun and laughter into people’s lives. Also, we’ve kept the prices really reasonable so everyone can come and take part.
“So it will just be a nice, relaxed atmosphere. We like the thought of street food, where people can just come in and pick up some food and maybe go for a walk.
“We focus on using fresh fruit and vegetables which we get from the wholesale market in Leeds.”
Would you like to spread the word about your shop opening? No matter how small the shop get in touch with the Stray Ferret.
Harrogate Scrubbers turn their hands to kit bags for TownHarrogate Town’s players have an extra reason to feel the love from their community as they face Leyton Orient this weekend.
The volunteers of Harrogate Scrubbers have stepped up to a new challenge and provided a full set of kit bags for the team.
Just a couple of weeks after receiving the call for help, the sewers – who have already made more than 2,000 sets of scrubs for local frontline workers – have delivered a matching set of bags for all the players. In exchange, the club will make a donation to Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity.
Volunteer sewer Margaret Bleasdale said:
“I am always happy to help with sewing for Harrogate Scrubbers. It keeps me occupied during lockdown and it is such a well organised group. It was a pleasure to make the kit wash bags for Harrogate Town and I wish them good luck for the rest of their season.”
Read more:
- Harrogate Scrubbers hit target of making 2,000 items for hospital
- Award for Harrogate scrubs campaign leader
Fabric was provided by Showtime Fabrics, while White Rose Sewing delivered the accessories. Carrie Brown, Susie Cox, Stella Zealand, Karola Cramoysan, Kathy Wilkinson, Margaret Bleasdale, Denise Huntington, Rosalind Waite, Doreen Stephenson, Lyn Clarke and Phyllis Tyson all stepped up to help with the sewing.
The group was supported by PG Branding on Hornbeam Park, which printed the bags. Sales director Nick Jarett said, on seeing the appeal, his team immediately wanted to support both the club and Harrogate Scrubbers.
One of the Harrogate Scrubbers volunteers, Susie Cox
Volunteer Susie Cox added:
“I wanted to help out again, as it gave me a sense of purpose last year when we were making the scrubs and I just love the sense of community the group has brought in these times. I am really proud to be part of the group,”
Harrogate Town FC managing director Garry Plant said:
Harrogate charity launches ‘special moments’ box“This has been a great project to be part of and we have really enjoyed the camaraderie and enthusiasm that everyone has put in to providing the kit bags. The team will be absolutely delighted with them.”
Elderly care charity Harrogate Neighbours is helping people in the district celebrate special occasions by selling ‘afternoon tea’ boxes and added extras delivered to their door.
The boxes cost £9.95 and include a selection of home-made cakes as well as ham and cheese sandwiches.
The charity is also providing added extras, such as flowers and balloons, to help create memorable moments.
Shirley and Mick Flynn will celebrate their 50th Valentine’s Day together this week and will be the first people to receive a complimentary ‘Special Moments’ box on February 14.
The couple were both born and raised in Harrogate and have been married for 46 years. In 2018, they moved into Harrogate Neighbours’ extra care facility The Cuttings, where they receive extra support from carers.
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Inside one of the special boxes.
£1 from every box sold will be donated to Resurrected Bites, which supports families in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Nidderdale and Ripon affected by the pandemic with food parcels.
Speaking on behalf of Harrogate Neighbours, CEO Sue Cawthray said:
“Celebrating special occasions can be difficult to do in lockdown, particularly within the older generation, so we wanted to provide an affordable service that people could access to celebrate special days like Valentine’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries.
“We’re so lucky to have the kitchen space on site to create made-to-order boxes and the amazing volunteers who will help us to deliver the boxes. Due to this, we are also in a position to donate £1 from every box sold to the fantastic Resurrected Bites initiative to support families all over the region who have been adversely affected by the pandemic.”
To order your Special Moments box in time for Valentine’s Day, call Harrogate Neighbours on 01423 888777.
Harrogate council backs council tax hikeCouncillors on Harrogate Borough Council have backed a £5 increase in council tax for this coming year.
The hike will see the council’s share of council tax rise to £250.92.
It means taxpayers in the district could see their overall bill, which includes rates for county council and police and fire services, increase to more than £2,000 in 2021/22.
Councillors voted for the increase at a full council meeting tonight as part of the authority’s budget plans.
Cllr Graham Swift, cabinet member for resources on the borough council, said the budget was put together despite coronavirus impacting on the council’s finances.
Cllr Swift said:
“There is no doubt for all people, whether you are a council member or a council staff officer or a member of the public, that 2020 and 2021 are time periods of incredible change caused predominantly by the coronavirus.
“It is because of the coronavirus that Harrogate Borough Council have had significant impact to our budget and significant changes to way in which we are financing the budget.”
Read more:
- ‘Not the time’ to pay more for North Yorkshire policing
- How much Harrogate council taxpayers could be paying in 2021
It comes as council has forecast a cost of £5.9 million this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials said the authority had lost income in car parking, sport and leisure and the Harrogate Convention Centre.
Meanwhile, councillors also voted for an amendment to the budget to increase pay for the lowest employees to £9.50 per hour.
A breakdown of the potential council tax bill for Harrogate district in 2021/22.
Elsewhere, North Yorkshire County Council is set to decide on a 3.49% increase in their share of council tax next week.
It would see the authority’s share rise to £1,411.05.
Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said the move is one of the most difficult decisions for the council in recent years.
He said:
More than 1,000 coronavirus deaths in North Yorkshire“I don’t think there has ever been a more difficult time for us to do this exercise.
“Never have our services been more needed, but equally never has the economy and society been under such pressure.
“So we really need to get the balance right between what we need to deliver in services and what the community of North Yorkshire can afford to pay for those services.”
North Yorkshire has recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Latest figures make grim reading for those on the frontline leading the fight against the virus.
So far, 1,006 have people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the county.
Local health leaders revealed the news at a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies, today.
It also comes as the Harrogate district recorded just a further 18 coronavirus cases today. The daily figure has dropped significantly from early January.
The total number of reported coronavirus cases in the Harrogate district is now at 6,928.
As a result, the seven-day rate for the Harrogate district is now 121 while North Yorkshire’s rate as a whole is 123 per 100,000.
Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any coronavirus deaths today but reported one yesterday. 141 people have died after a positive test at the hospital so far.
Read more:
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- Harrogate district records 26 further coronavirus cases
Richard Webb, the corporate director for health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“Today we are starting with another milestone, with the latest figures from yesterday. 1,006 people have died from coronavirus in North Yorkshire.
“We want to remember those 1,006 people and offer our condolences to their loved ones.
“While we are seeing improvements in infection rates they still remain high. The best way we can help those in the NHS is by following the hands, face, space guidance.”
Hospitals across North Yorkshire are still under more pressure now than at any point during the first wave of the pandemic.
There are 343 coronavirus patients across the county’s hospitals. 44 of those are in intensive care but there may be others on ventilators in general care.
Harrogate District Hospital currently has 61 coronavirus patients, which is a reduction of three patients from last week.
The hospital has been treating a record amount of covid patients.
David Mattinson, medical registrar on one of Harrogate District Hospital’s covid wards, tweeted recently that it had been “exceptionally busy” since Christmas and urged people to stay at home.
Warning that home food entrepreneurs in Harrogate risk hefty finesSome Harrogate entrepreneurs have made the most of lockdown by selling everything from brownies to burgers made from their home kitchen.
However, new businesses have been warned they face being sent to court and fined if they don’t register with the council.
Food businesses who plan to operate for five or more days in any five consecutive weeks must register with Harrogate Borough Council 28 days before starting trading. A food safety officer will then check whether the kitchen is clean.
Steve Pepper runs food safety courses for people in the Harrogate district. He told the Stray Ferret that home cooks risk an unlimited fine at the magistrates’ court if they fall foul of the law.
He said:
“A lot of people think, I’m a good cook so I will just sell some brownies.
“But some people know they wouldn’t meet the hygiene regulations so they carry on regardless, or they have ignorance of the law.”
Read more:
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Whilst a food hygiene certificate is not compulsory, businesses need to also inform HMRC that they are self-employed.
Mr Pepper said kitchens must be adapted to meet hygiene standards. This includes making sure plants and pets are in different rooms.
The council also requires two sinks with one used only for washing hands.
Mr Pepper is concerned some people might be looking to cut corners due to falling on hard times due to covid. He has been running workshops to help educate people on what steps need to be taken before launching a new business.
He added:
Council chairman rolls up sleeve for covid vaccine“It is happening. Covid has cost people their normal jobs and they will do things they wouldn’t normally do”.
The chairman of North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to follow his example and get the covid vaccination when it is offered.
Cllr Jim Clark, who lives in Harrogate and represents Harrogate Harlow division, received his vaccination at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
He said:
“It is a very efficient operation, despite challenges posed by the weather, and everybody who attended for their jab at the same time as me was very pleased with the service from the NHS and the many volunteers on hand and ready to help.
“We have all come to value the work of the NHS more than ever during this pandemic and the staff working on the frontline in very challenging circumstances and the best way we can show our continuing support is by taking up the offer of the vaccination.
“This is the biggest contribution we can all make, along with following social distancing and hand hygiene rules, to reducing the pressure on our hospitals and to saving lives.”
Read more:
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Cllr Clark, who is 73, recalls being vaccinated for the first time when the NHS was formed after the Second World War. Since then, he has been inoculated for serious illnesses including mumps and diptheria, as well as taking up his flu vaccine each winter.
He was vaccinated by Dr Ian Dilley, a GP partner at East Parade Surgery in Harrogate and clinical director of the Mowbray Square Primary Care Network. Dr Dilley said:
Swinsty Reservoir dog walker finds ‘nail board trap’ near car“The vaccine rollout is going extremely well and it is great to see so many people enthusiastic to have their vaccination. All the staff have worked very hard to ensure our systems are smooth and well organised and we hope all our patients experience a process that is safe, reassuring and friendly.
“The combined effort across primary care, the incredible voluntary sector, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and many other organisations has resulted in a service the whole county should be proud of.”
A dog walker claims that someone is deliberately trying to damage cars near to Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs.
Derek Johnson parked his car on the grass verges near the woods to the south of the reservoirs on Sunday.
After returning from a walk with his gun dogs, a jogger warned him that she had found a nail board near her car.
He checked around and found two of the boards in close proximity to his car, so took the picture you can see above.
While he did not report the incident to the police, a nearby farmer said that he had called the police earlier that day.
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There has been a longstanding issue with the number of cars parking at the reservoirs since the first lockdown when many flocked to the area for their daily exercise.
We approached North Yorkshire Police for comment but received no reply by the time of publication.
Mr Johnson told the Stray Ferret:
“My dogs need to have a lot of space to run around so come to the reservoirs quite regularly and haven’t had an issue before.
“After the walk someone told me they found one of these nail boards so I checked around. I found one under my tyre and another a few yards away.
“It’s such a stupid thing to do. If someone has an issue with us using the reservoirs to exercise then they should tell us, not do something like this.”
Graham Hebblethwaite, the chairman of Washburn Parish Council, told the Stray Ferret:
Starbeck set to get new micropub“If someone is doing this to try and trap cars then that is horrendous. At first I thought it could be discarded bits of pallets but it looks like freshly cut pieces.
“This is not the message we want to send out to people who come here. We are asking people to keep an eye out for these nail boards.”
Drinkers in Starbeck could soon be spoilt for choice with the opening of a new micropub called The Office Ale House.
IT consultant Kevin Jones, who has had experience running pubs in the past, said he hopes to get the venue on 67d High Street up and running by May, subject to planning permission and covid rules.
It would be another addition to Starbeck’s high street after plans were unveiled last week for a bar at the former Greenalls carpet shop at the high street’s junction with Spa Lane.
Kevin told the Stray Ferret that The Office Ale House will be in the vein of smaller hostelries such as Blind Jack’s in Knaresborough which specialises in cask ale, bottled craft beer, and the best from local breweries.
He said:
“I believe Starbeck needs it and covid has made us all desperate for human interaction.”
Kevin Jones.
Kevin says he is confident that Starbeck is big enough for the two new venues, and thinks covid has highlighted how important pubs are for local communities.
He added:
“I’m not worried about covid. I think it’s shown us we have to get out and socialise. I want somewhere where people can get off the train, have a couple of pints and a chat.”
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If approved by Harrogate Borough Council, the pub will be open seven days a week from 12pm to 9pm. It will also be dog friendly.
Starbeck is currently served by one pub, the Prince of Wales, plus two clubs.
The Henry Peacock closed in 2012 and has now been demolished and replaced with retail units.