This story is sponsored by HIFU Clinics UK.

A Harrogate clinic has taken the title of “skin-tightening specialist of the North” after launching a brand-new treatment not offered anywhere else in the UK. 

HIFU Clinics UK, which opened on Westmoreland Street this summer, is five-star rated on Google and has invested tens of thousands of pounds in state-of-the-art clinical equipment imported from the United States. It specialises in high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and all its treatments are non-surgical. 

Its new HIFU Ultra Dual® therapy combines HIFU Ultra Med with radio frequency (RF) microneedling – sometimes known as Morpheus 8 – to produce what it says is the “ultimate skin-tightening treatment”. 

Michelle Clarke, director of HIFU Clinics UK.

Founder and director Michelle Clarke said: 

“HIFU is the latest and deepest-penetrating skin-tightening technology on the market. It’s particularly popular with women going through menopause, as that’s when a woman’s body starts to show its age at a faster rate, especially around the jawline, jowl and neck. 

“Most of our clients are between the ages of 40 and 70, and they prefer a more natural, rejuvenated look.

“Going under the knife can be painful, invasive, and it doesn’t even address skin quality. My approach is far more natural, and gives a fresher, brighter look.” 

Michelle has been in practice since 2011 and opened her first clinic in Wakefield in 2016. She is also a tutor and trains practioners from across the UK on how to deliver HIFU treatments. 

A Harrogate client who was delighted with the treatment and her experience.

Over the last 12 years, her reputation has grown and clients – some of them celebrities – now come to see her from as far afield as London and Scotland. 

A Harrogate resident (pictured above) who recently had HIFU treatment said she had a “wonderful experience” on her first visit, adding:

“One of the standout aspects of my visit was the exceptional customer service delivered by Michelle. She went above and beyond in explaining the procedure to me, ensuring I understood everything clearly.

“Her expertise and friendly manner put me at ease throughout the entire process.

“The results of the HIFU treatment were beyond my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier.

“I am truly grateful to Michelle for her professionalism and outstanding care. Thank you for making my HIFU treatment experience exceptional!”

Michelle said: 

“They make the journey because they trust us. This is new technology, so the equipment is improving rapidly, but we always make sure we keep up with ongoing clinical developments. My clients know we will always have the latest state-of-the-art clinical equipment, because we specialise in this. 

“This isn’t just another clinic – we’re the skin-tightening specialist of the North, and we offer something you just can’t get anywhere else.” 

Find out more: 

HIFU Clinics UK offers a personalised full skin assessment by appointment only.  

To book your FREE consultation, call 01423 648949 or email admin@hifuclinicsuk.com.

A private hospital in Harrogate is to open a specialist menopause clinic in Harrogate next week.

The Duchy Hospital on Queens Road is providing the service in partnership with menopause website My Menopause Centre.

A free menopause workshop led by specialists Dr Clare Spencer and Dr Anna Greaves will take place at David Lloyd, Harrogate on Tuesday, October 12 — two days before the clinic opens to patients.

The workshop topics will include menopause transition stages and symptoms, preparing for and managing menopause and reframing attitudes.

Patients can book consultations directly with the hospital.

Michelle Eardley, executive director of the Duchy Hospital, said:

“Menopause is a challenging condition that affects thousands of women across North Yorkshire. Working with My Menopause Centre is part of our commitment to ensuring that patients across Harrogate and further afield have fast access to the services they need.”

Dr Clare Spencer, co-founder of My Menopause Centre, said the clinic will give women a holistic service as they transition through the perimenopause and menopause.

The Duchy Hospital, which is part of Circle Health Group, opened in 1959 and offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services. The hospital also supports patients from the NHS.

Circle Health Group, which acquired BMI Healthcare in January 2020, operates Britain’s largest network of independent hospitals.

Read more:

• Overwhelming turnout for new Harrogate menopause group
• New charity shop and cafe to open in Harrogate

A health and beauty business in Harrogate is counting the cost of the damage after its premises were attacked by a vandal.

The Wellness Clinic on Raglan Street sustained hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage, with windows smashed, a sign broken, furniture damaged and five large outdoor terracotta plant-pots ruined, destroying the plants. 

The Wellness Clinic provides a range of services at its Raglan Street premises.

In a post on social media, the clinic said:

“Luckily no one was physically hurt, but we are devastated. 

“We are, of course, insured but when the excess is £750-plus, it doesn’t make sense to make a claim. 

“We have worked incredibly hard to create a beautiful and safe clinic that our professionals work from. To see that your business has been targeted by a reckless individual for a couple minutes of adrenaline is incredibly upsetting.”

Police are using CCTV footage to try to identify the suspect, who caused hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage.

The Wellness Clinic provides a range of services, including physiotherapy, beauty therapies, electrolysis, mindfulness and even private midwifery. 

The business is still open and operating, and is now working with North Yorkshire Police to create still images from CCTV footage of the suspect, who struck on New Year’s Day.

According to the clinic, the suspect was described as female, wearing grey jogging bottoms, a dark-coloured top and no shoes. 

READ MORE:

• Christmas lights vandalised on Harrogate salon
• Criminals damage third business on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road

This story is sponsored by The Hearing Suite.

The Hearing Suite’s new clinic in Ilkley is proving to be a major success following its launch last month.

Located at No 6 The Grove, the state-of-the-art practice has a dedicated wax removal room on the ground floor, along with a full testing suite on the first floor.

Founder Emily Woodmansey set up the Ilkley site following rapid growth at the Harrogate branch on East Parade.

The business has continued to expand and now offers a team of three audiologists and an ENT consultant.

Emily Woodmansey, managing director of The Hearing Suite.

Having grown up in Ilkley, Ms Woodmansey recognised that many of the town’s residents were making the journey to Harrogate and a closer practice would be more convenient.

She said:

“Our Harrogate practice is thriving. Our ethos is firmly grounded in having a small group of very happy people, and I thought it was about time Ilkley had its own full-time, dedicated audiology practice.

“The pandemic has reminded people how precious communication is and it has been exciting to share our brand of audiology with the people of my home town.

“Since opening a few weeks ago, we have been quite overwhelmed with the number of people wanting help with their hearing. The local business community has been really welcoming too. We are just so grateful for everyone’s support.”

The Hearing Suite’s employee Olivia, a former NHS senior audiologist, has been appointed as the practice’s head of audiology.

The new branch offers the same services as Harrogate, including wax removal, hearing consultations, tinnitus management and hearing aids.

Harrogate will be one of almost 70 locations in the UK to operate a clinic for people suffering with long-term effects from coronavirus, the NHS announced today.

The long covid clinics will take referrals from GPs for people suffering from a wide range of symptoms, including breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety and depression, after they have recovered from the virus itself.

Hosted by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, the centre will offer specialist treatment from doctors and nurses as well as physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Physical and psychological assessments will be carried out before patients are directed to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said:

“The NHS is taking practical action to help patients suffering ongoing health issues as a result of coronavirus. Bringing expert clinicians together in these clinics will deliver an integrated approach to support patients access vital rehabilitation, as well as helping develop a greater understanding of long covid and its debilitating symptoms.”

Read more:

• North Yorkshire GPs begin delivering covid vaccine
• Harrogate hospital set for £800,000 maintenance upgrades

Research by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed one in five people with coronavirus went on to develop long-term symptoms. Around 186,000 people were affected for up to 12 weeks, according to the research.

The Harrogate District Hospital clinic is one of 18 similar operations which have been launched across the North East and Yorkshire. NHS England has provided £10 million of funding for the 69 sites across the country.

A new national covid taskforce has also been launched by the NHS, bringing patients, charities, researchers and clinicians together to lead the response to long covid, producing information and supporting materials for patients and healthcare professionals, and developing a wider understanding of the condition.

Are you suffering with long-term effects after having covid-19? What do you think of the plans for the new clinic? Get in touch to share your views and experiences: contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.