Joy for grandparents meeting seven-week-old baby

A Harrogate family has been able to share the joy of a new arrival for the first time since lockdown began.

Jen Carne gave birth to Samuel on April 21 and, along with husband Rob Earl, was unable to introduce him properly to his extended family.

Though they visited and waved through the windows, the easing of lockdown restrictions this week enabled grandparents Ed and Rosie Carne to meet Samuel in the park for the first time – and catch up with his 20-month-old sister, Hannah. Jen said:

“There have been a few positives in that we’ve been able to spend a lot of time as a family without having lots of pressure to see lots of people, but we’ve missed out on family being able to come over and help. We’ve missed being able to see other mums and babies. I have missed a lot of Hannah’s groups – it has been tricky trying to entertain her while taking care of Samuel.”

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This week’s meet-up was a special moment for the whole family, who should have been gathering this week to celebrate Jen and Rob’s wedding, which has had to be postponed. However, Jen said they hope to be able to hold a small ceremony soon, with a reception at a later date.

Ed and Rosie Carne enjoyed a picnic with their daughter Jen, granddaughter Hannah and new grandson Samuel after lockdown restrictions were eased

Meanwhile, Ed and Rosie are just pleased to be able to meet their new grandson and see how Hannah has grown over recent weeks. Rosie said:

“I feel we’re very lucky we live so near so at least we can see them, but I find not being able to pick Hannah up very hard. We were helping out with looking after when Jen was working so I feel we’ve got quite a close relationship and sometimes she wants to crawl to us and we have to back off. We have a few little games we can do, but it’s not the same.”

 

Clock ticking to end of NHS Nightingale contract in Harrogate

With less than four weeks remaining in the contract between the NHS and Harrogate Convention Centre, both parties are remaining tight-lipped about the future of the Nightingale Hospital.

The initial agreement allowed the NHS to establish the emergency hospital across eight halls at Harrogate Convention Centre and was set to last until the end of June. No rent was payable to HCC – which, owned by Harrogate Borough Council, had to cover costs using taxpayers’ money.

Now, with the end of the contract looming, the council has refused to comment on whether any further agreement has been made.

However, with national government advisors speaking publicly about the likelihood of a second wave of Covid-19, it seems unlikely the NHS will take down the facility in the near future. England’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, said this week:

“It may be that there’s a seasonal element and if so, for most respiratory viruses, they are more likely to be transmitted, there is a higher likelihood of transmission, in the winter.

“The winter is always worse than summer, spring and autumn for health services, and we need to think about this in terms of how we come out for the next phase.”

While having the NHS Nightingale on stand-by has been described by many as reassuring, concerns have been raised repeatedly about the potential impact on the local economy – especially as hospitality businesses prepare to reopen in early July.

Harrogate’s businesses are heavily reliant upon tourist and conference visitors to the centre, which says that it contributes around £60m to the local economy. Hotels, restaurants and bars have already spoken out about the need to fill the gap left by the conference trade.

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Harrogate Borough Council refused to make any comment on the status of negotiations with the NHS over the future of the Nightingale hospital, saying the contract was confidential. Last month, HCC director Paula Lorimer told The Stray Ferret that the next events were scheduled for August and, in the meantime, she was doing all she could to reschedule events which could not be held.

This week, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive, Sandra Doherty, told The Stray Ferret it was a “feather in Harrogate’s cap” to be chosen to host the NHS Nightingale for the region. However, she warned:

“The conference and exhibition industry is the life blood of Harrogate’s economy, and those businesses that rely on this vitally important trade need clarification as to when these venues will be handed back.

“Whilst the coronavirus lockdown has resulted in the cancellation and postponement of many events, organisers will now be looking to reschedule them for later in the year. Harrogate is blessed with a number of other superb conference facilities, and we need to do everything we can to encourage organisers to consider using them as an alternative.

“We must do everything in our power to keep new and existing business here.”

 

Exclusive: Nearly 1000 Harrogate hospital staff absent in April due to coronavirus

Nearly 1000 staff at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust were absent from work because of coronavirus in the first month of lockdown.

The vast majority of the 974 took time off to self-isolate with coronavirus symptoms for an average of nine days – the rest will shield themselves until the end of June.

It means that one in five of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s staff have taken time off and it has come at a major cost.

In the first month of the financial year, from April 6, the Trust paid out £478,000 for sickness at full pay. The figures come from a report from the Trust’s Board of Directors seen by The Stray Ferret which details its finances.

What has Harrogate District Hospital Trust spent coronavirus money on?

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spent just over £1 million on its coronavirus response in the same period – which was in line with other Trusts in the region. The report says the Trust received money from the NHS centrally to cover it.

Most of the money was spent on sick pay but the report also highlights what else the Trust has spent its money on:

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No new coronavirus deaths at Harrogate District Hospital

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any coronavirus deaths in today’s figures from the NHS.

The number of deaths at the hospital stands at 66. The hospital reported two coronavirus deaths yesterday.

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A further 179 people, who tested positive for coronavirus, have died in England’s hospitals. It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths to 27,044.

Patients were aged between 12 and 97 years old. Four of the 179 patients, who were aged between 78 and 93, had no known underlying health conditions.

Harrogate’s deep clean starts on Monday

Harrogate town centre is set to undergo a deep clean next week ahead of non-essential retail shops reopening after 10 weeks of lockdown.

Harrogate BID has contracted Yorkshire-based UK Nationwide Cleaning Services for the work which will be carried out from Monday (June 8).

The four-year contract will see the company power wash pavements and street furniture on a night and is expected to take two weeks to complete.

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It comes as non-essential shops, such as clothing stores and electronic outlets, will reopen from June 15 as the lockdown is eased.

Simon Kent, Harrogate BID interim-manager, said:

“In a recent survey of the town centre businesses, the vast majority of those who responded said their number one priority was a deep clean. I’m delighted to say that we are now just days away from fulfilling this.

“We have awarded this contract to UK Nationwide Cleaning Services. The company is no stranger to this type of work, as they already work with BIDs across the UK.

“From next week, life will slowly start to get back to normal, and we want Harrogate to look superb. The deep cleaning will be a major fact in helping us achieving this.”

Meanwhile, Harrogate Borough Council has been handed £141,000 as part of the European Union Regional Development Fund to help reopen high streets safely.

The money is designed to fund measures such as new signs, temporary barriers, street markings and marketing campaigns to reassure people that High Streets are safe. However, the authority said a plan for the money is still being devised.

Council ‘sets precedent’ by breaking listed building guidelines

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee has been accused of going against its own guidance in approving plans for a fence on its land.

The council applied for permission to put up a 1m high fence along the boundary between its land and the privately-owned Tower House, which adjoins the Grade II listed Harlow Hill Tower on Nursery Lane, on the edge of the Pinewoods in Harrogate.

The council’s own design guide states:

New 2m high timber panel fences used as screens to maintain privacy for neighbours are generally acceptable in back gardens, however in sensitive locations, such as the boundary to a Listed Building or in a Conservation Area, the screen should be of brick or stone as appropriate to the setting.

A planning application was submitted earlier this year for a picket fence running 28m along the boundary behind Tower House. Reporting to the planning committee, principal conservation officer Emma Gibbens said:

“A stone wall of matching stone would be more appropriate, however, there are concerns over the creation of a significantly more permanent solution for what seems to be a short term requirement, whereas the picket fence represents an option that could easily be removed in the future when it is no longer required.”

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Tower House was bought eight years ago by Neil and Lucy Hind. The boundary in question is not visible from Nursery Lane because of high hedging, but separates the house from a piece of land owned by the council.

‘No change’

Mr Hind addressed the committee during yesterday’s virtual meeting, urging members to reject the proposal. He said nothing had changed since the last planning committee meeting in March, when councillors deferred their decision on the proposal, telling officers to reconsider whether a fence was the most suitable option.

Mr Hind told committee members yesterday there had been no change to the fence proposal which they had refused to accept in March, other than limiting its life span to five years. The committee’s previous requests for an explanation of why the fence was needed, and for council officers to consult with the neighbours, had not happened, he said.

Among those objecting to the plans was Cllr Pat Marsh, who said:

“I feel that if we’re doing this, we’re almost setting a precedent which will impact on other parts of our district that have got listed buildings. Why don’t we just make it a permanent fixture? Why mess around with temporary fences?”

Her views were shared by Cllr Robert Windass and Cllr Nigel Simms, who said a more suitable material should be used for a boundary so close to a listed building. However, the plans were passed by six votes to five.

After the meeting, Mr Hind told The Stray Ferret:

“The committee members were originally unanimous in their view that the plans were not acceptable, so it is somewhat a mystery as to who or what changed some of their minds over the last few months.

“It was clear from the discussion that these plans are still not in line with the council’s own guidance and policy. However, it seems there is one rule for the council and one for residents, especially where cost is a factor.”

Lib Dems criticise Harrogate MP for supporting return to parliament

The Liberal Democrats have labelled Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, “deeply irresponsible” for voting in favour of MPs returning to parliament.

Yesterday, MPs queued outside of Westminster for over 90 minutes to vote on whether or not they should return to London.  The Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg put forward the vote arguing that the virtual system didn’t allow MPs to hold the government to account effectively.

The proposal was carried forward, with 261 votes to 163. 31 Tory MPs though, voted against the return.

The Lib Dems said he was setting a “dangerous precedent”. Judith Rogerson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“With the Government continuing to advise that people should work from home where possible, it is extraordinary that the Conservatives have voted to take away the system which had allowed MPs to do just that. Forcing MPs to decide between risking their health and that of their family and constituents, and depriving their constituents of their voice in Parliament is deeply irresponsible.”

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There has been criticism too from MPs who are at risk due to age or health conditions and those living with vulnerable people, who said they could be left without a voice in parliament.

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones for the reasons behind his vote in favour of a return to parliament. But we received no response.

 

Harrogate’s Nightingale Hospital will open for CT scans

NHS Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber will offer CT scans to some patients from June 4.

The temporary hospital has been on standby since its launch in April. This will be the first time that the facility will offer appointments.

It is equipped with clinical imaging equipment, which means it can also support the NHS in its recovery phase. When it opens, the hospital will provide outpatient appointments seven days a week for patients with radiology referrals.

The service is for patients who are well and mobile and it will provide a combination of diagnostic scans and surveillance scans, which are used to monitor patients with a prior diagnosis of a medical condition.

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Steve Russell, Chief Executive of NHS Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber and Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“A number of NHS services have been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as hospitals have had to prioritise the care of patients with the virus. The measures taken to introduce social distancing and manage hospital demand have meant that we’ve not yet needed to use the NHS Nightingale Hospital for its original intended purpose. We’ve therefore taken the decision to utilise the equipment and begin offering CT scans at the facility so that we can get patients seen quickly.”

Every patient who attends the facility will be screened before their appointment to check that they don’t have the symptoms of Covid-19 and appointments will only be offered to those who are neither isolating, nor shielding.

Patients with additional needs, such as those who require interpreting services or patient transport, will continue to be seen at their local hospital to guarantee their specific needs can be met.

Royal secret revealed as Harrogate volunteers arrive for work

Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels were shocked and delighted to hear about their royal recognition as they arrived to deliver today’s hot meal service.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a voluntary group can be given.

As well as receiving a crystal award and a signed certificate from the Queen, two volunteers will be chosen  out of a hat to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021.

Sue Cathwray (Right) joined by award winning volunteers.

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A champagne celebration was arranged, typically though they put other people first, and postponed cracking open a bottle until they have made their lunch deliveries.

Instead, when asked how they might celebrate their success, Mr Clarkson said,

“I’ll tell my kids, they are very proud of me doing this, they like the fact that I’m helping out. It’s a warm day so I might have a beer later in the garden.”

Sue Cawthray the CEO of Harrogate Neighbours was excited to reveal the big secret and looks forward to celebrating properly when they are able.

Harrogate hospital reports two more coronavirus deaths

Harrogate District Hospital has reported two more coronavirus deaths, taking its total number up to 66.

The hospital had not recorded any deaths for six days in a row until the NHS released today’s figures.

It comes as hospitals in England report a further 143 deaths, taking the country’s total up to 26,865.

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Patients were aged between 36 and 100 years old. Eight of the 143 patients, aged between 48 and 91, had no known underlying health conditions.

On Thursday last week, the hospital reported a total of 109 patients had recovered from coronavirus and been discharged.