The Ministry of Defence is in the process of converting Harrogate Convention Centre into a ‘Nightingale’ hospital to fight the coronavirus crisis.

A source told The Stray Ferret that one hall is being turned into a ‘field hospital’ to help the NHS deal with the expected high pressure created by the growing number of cases.

Although full details have yet to be confirmed, an announcement is expected imminently by the government as part of its continuing escalation of measures against the coronavirus outbreak. Three temporary ‘Nightingale’ hospitals have already been announced – in London, Manchester and Birmingham – with more understood to be in the planning stages.

It is understood that the hospital at the convention centre could be up and running within a week.

The social care system is playing its part in fighting the coronavirus outbreak – and needs the whole community to continue to do so too. 

That is the message from Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult Services at North Yorkshire County Council, who praised the efforts of local people to support each other. 

“I think that’s fantastic, the way people are offering their support,” he said. “It’s not only practical stuff, it’s things to keep people well. Mental health is really important.

“That’s where particularly volunteers and community support will help. If you know some people are isolated, ring them every day and keep in touch. Help arrange their shopping or just have a chat.”

Mr Webb, pictured, said he had been impressed by organisations doing their bit to keep families busy and individuals’ spirits high. This week, Harrogate Theatre has been showing its pantomime online for free, while Harrogate International Festivals – of which he is a trustee – has plans to do more too. 

While neighbours can look out for each other, Mr Webb is working with care providers and other organisations to look after 70,000 people in the community across North Yorkshire, many of whom are vulnerable to coronavirus because of their age or health conditions. 

As has been widely reported with the NHS, there is huge strain on social care too, with personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer in high demand around the world. Social care providers and supporting organisations across the Harrogate district are working harder than ever to ensure they meet the needs of their service users. 

“It’s a time of huge challenge for everyone,” said Mr Webb. “We’re working really closely with them, trying to make sure we have enough availability of care.  

“They will have people going off sick and self-isolating as so many are, so we need to make sure there are enough people to go around. We’re using mutual aid, so if people haven’t got enough staff for one service, we can help by moving them across from elsewhere.” 

With so much strain already on social care, as well as the NHS, Mr Webb said he does not expect the situation to be quickly resolved. 

“I think it’s too early to say [how long it will last],” he said. “Boris Johnson said we will review it in three weeks, but the NHS is cancelling routine operations for 12 weeks.  

“The worst might be over by then, but we need to be prepared for it to last for some time yet. In other countries, it’s taking some time. That’s why it’s really important people stay in and help prevent it spreading.” 

As a resident of Harrogate, Mr Webb said residents are fortunate to have outdoor spaces to exercise and still be able to keep their distance from each other. He said it was vital for people to remember the basic advice, including continuing to wash hands thoroughly and regularly. 

“I want to say thank you to everyone, for all they’re doing to support each other and to work with us. If there are changes to health and social care because we’re dealing with this, please bear with us.  

“And please stay home, stay safe and keep your distance.” 

Across the country, recently retired doctors, nurses and other NHS staff are being invited to return to work. 

The government has vowed to relax restrictions for such workers to enable them to help out as medical services face growing demand, and as current staff fall ill themselves.

While they won’t be invited as part of the current scheme, there are also NHS staff who have been on career breaks for other reasons now preparing to offer their services again. 

GP Joanne Gregson, who has been off work since having daughter Edie in October 2018, has contacted the Local Medical Committee to find out where she is most needed. For her, work will be very different when she returns than it was when she left.

“We’re all subject to the self-isolation rules too,” she said. “If Edie gets a temperature, I’m out of action for a couple of weeks. 

“A lot of practices are doing video and telephone consultations now, trying to limit face-to-face contact. That should help to keep as many of us working as possible.” 

Support after career break

Dr Gregson had already been considering a soft return to work through the GP retainer scheme, which offers mentoring to doctors coming back to practice after a break. However, with practices now in need of help to cope with high demand, she may return to work in one of the most difficult periods in the history of the NHS. 

“It is anxiety-provoking because I was planning to go back in a very controlled manner,” she said. “As doctors, we’re very conscientious. We don’t want to make mistakes, we’re human and we want to do our best. 

“I wanted to do some courses and get back up to speed. Going back as a retainer meant after each appointment I could speak to a mentor and go through things. Now, I know everyone is going to be working at their capacity and as much as people will try to help, they may not be able to find that extra time.” 

With colleagues and friends working in front-line NHS care, Dr Gregson said she is hearing stories about their experiences:

“There’s a bit of disgruntlement about social distancing. We aren’t really seeing people doing it. I can understand that, because it seems unreal still, but we’re seeing what’s happening in Italy and it is worrying. The message coming from my colleagues is, ‘do your bit. This is coming and we all have to act responsibly’.” 

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Yorkshire has risen by almost 40 per cent in one day, according to Public Health England.

The organisation reported there were 69 cases in the county on Friday, compared to 50 the day before.

At present, most patients are only tested if they are admitted to hospital with severe symptoms, so figures do not include people who have symptoms but are able to stay at home. There are no specific figures for the Harrogate district, but two people have died at Harrogate District Hospital after testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, local authorities, police and other landowners including Yorkshire Water have asked the public to stay at home and not travel to popular tourism destinations and beauty spots this weekend.

It follows large crowds seen at locations including Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs last weekend. Good weather on Mother’s Day is believed to have contributed to people looking for places to meet family outdoors, leading to further curbs on activities by the government from last Monday evening.

North Yorkshire Police have now set up check-points to ensure anyone travelling is only doing so for essential reasons, such as key workers going to work or individuals going to buy food. They say they will be issuing fines of up to £1,000 for anyone caught flouting the rules.

A Harrogate woman who has spent the past month trekking in Nepal claims the locals have treated her with disgust since the country went into coronavirus lockdown.

Holly Bellerby and her partner Matthew Helliwell had just finished the 100 mile long Annapurna Circuit when the local government cancelled all climbing permits.

Even though Holly and Matthew haven’t been back to the UK for a year and have no symptoms of coronavirus, they say not wearing masks has proved controversial.

Along with 15 other British nationals, the couple was stuck in the village of Jomsom where restaurant and hotel staff have refused them entry.

“We needed to get a copy of our passport and asked a local internet cafe to help,” Holly told the Stray Ferret.

“They refused to take money from us and handed us the papers by asking us to move back from the property and putting the papers under a rock for us.

 

“At the moment we aren’t too hopeful that there’s going to be a flight arranged for the British nationals. We have heard things about French and German embassies organising something for them.

 

“We actually didn’t have a flight booked home which is a blessing and a curse – it’s almost too risky to book anything or assume the government will organise something for us at the moment.”

Since speaking to the Stray Ferret, Holly has been sent a generic email from the British embassy but it does not guarantee a way out of Nepal.

It says that the embassy is not yet able to “confirm flight availability or cost. If a commercial flight is scheduled at short notice we will need you to be in close proximity.”

Holly Bellerby in Old Bagan, Myanmar.

A local news website in the Himalayas reported today that the “137 foreigners stranded on trekking trails will be rescued in two days” but Holly has not yet been told about any flights.

Even when Holly does get back to the UK, she has no idea what to do about jobs or where to stay.

“My family all still live in Harrogate and after quarantine I will be heading there to stay with my sister. My parents are both high risk so have been advised to stay isolated for three months.

 

“We were planning on moving to London after a few weeks with family up north but now our plans are completely up in the air and we don’t have an endless pit of money.”

Olivia Grigoras is a Maternity Support Worker at Harrogate Hospital. She told the Stray Ferret that she was ‘In tears’ last night when she heard the applause and cheers for healthcare workers on the street outside her house. She then had an ‘even more tearful’ experience this morning, when she woke up to a lovely surprise from her 6 year old daughter, Iris.

At 8pm last night people from all over the Harrogate district took part in a nationwide “Clap for Carers” tribute, saluting NHS and care workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. People from all over the district have sent us videos of their applause. A message from the NHS on social media described the tribute as ’emotional’.

North Yorkshire Police has stopped its first few drivers during the coronavirus lockdown at new checkpoints to question their motives.

The checkpoints could appear anywhere at any time to crack down on those flouting the rules in the Harrogate district.

Officers have also been out on foot to disperse groups, to enforce the social distancing measures and to “remind people of the seriousness of the situation.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said: “As the legislation comes into force, the roadside checks will help us to reinforce the messaging.

“So we ask people not to make non-essential journeys, and to understand the definition of essential. We sincerely hope that we won’t have to resort to enforcement action, but if people do not comply, we will.

 

“We’ll also be out on foot, with a highly visible policing presence, to disperse groups, enforce the social distancing measures and remind people of the seriousness of the situation we are facing.

 

“Please continue to look after each other, try and make the most of this unprecedented opportunity to spend more time with your loved ones, and remember we are here for you if you need us.”

Brief update on the #RoadChecks being carried out in @NYorksPolice area during these unprecedented times. Please help reduce the burden on our amazing @NHSuk #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/ugrk71PQhi

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) March 26, 2020

What are the lockdown rules?

• People can only leave their home to exercise once a day, to commute to work when it is necessary or to shop for food or medicine
• North Yorkshire Police will have the power to fine people between £30 and £1,000 for breaching the rules

Access to support promised by the government is proving difficult for residents in the Harrogate district as people across the country attempt to get advice. 

From business rates relief to mortgage holidays, phone lines for government organisations and financial providers have been jammed by people trying to speak to someone about how they can access the promised support. 

And in some cases, even when they finally get through, people are finding the help is not available. 

Kate Curtis, a self-employed inventory clerk in Harrogate, spent seven hours on the phone to Santander only to be told she was not eligible for a mortgage holiday because she had money in her current and business accounts. 

She said: “I told them that money was to pay my tax bill, but they wanted to see last year’s tax bill to prove how much it would be. 

“I’m fortunate that I’ve earned more this year because I’ve been really busy so my tax bill will be much higher. They want to see this year’s accounts, which I can’t do until April, and I’ve just had an email from my accountant saying she’s unwell and having to self-isolate.” 

What concerns Kate is that the announcements from the government seem to be open to interpretation, so there is no consistency. Other people have reported that getting a mortgage holiday from their provider has been more straightforward, with few or no checks on their finances. 

Business as usual

That inconsistency is also affecting Kate’s work with lettings and estate agents, checking rental properties after tenancies end. There has been no clear instruction to property firms to stop working, so many of them are continuing to arrange viewings – albeit some online – and request her services. 

“There’s pressure on from a couple of my clients to still carry out some of the appointments,” she said. “I’ve said I’ve got a moral and social responsibility and I’m not going to work. 

“Even if the property is empty, I’m often asked to go to blocks of flats with communal areas – one yesterday was a retirement block. They’re not fulfilling their duty of care to people like me or to their staff.” 

For Kate, who is now home-schooling two children, the only solution is for the government to be much more stringent in the restrictions, so they are not open to interpretation by businesses, whether that is employers or banks. 

Meanwhile, she is anxiously waiting to hear what support will be on offer for the self-employed, with an announcement expected imminently from the Chancellor. However, the rapid growth of her business in the last year may again leave her with little support if long-term earnings have to be proved. 

With her pilot husband unsure whether he will be paid for the coming months, the family is in a precarious position. 

“We went through redundancy five years ago,” she said. “It’s only in the last six or nine months we have got back on our feet and cleared the debt and started to be able to put some money aside again.” 

Harrogate based construction company, HACS Group stopped all work after the government’s ‘lockdown’ measures were introduced on Monday evening. Mark Smith, Managing director of the firm told the Stray Ferret that he was in ‘disbelief’ when it was announced on Tuesday that construction could continue If guidelines were followed, he said this would be ‘totally impractical’ to enforce.