Former Healthwatch chair calls on Harrogate District Hospital to allow visitors

A former chair of Healthwatch North Yorkshire has described the suspension of visitors to hospitals in Harrogate and Ripon as a “scandal” and called for the decision to be reversed.

NHS Harrogate and District Foundation Trust introduced the measure yesterday at Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital due to the threat of the Omicron variant.

Visitors are now only allowed for patients on end of life care, or if a patient has a learning disability or severe cognitive impairment like dementia. Parents or carers of children and birthing partners are also permitted.

Ripon Community Hospital, Firby Lane

Ripon Community Hospital, Firby Lane

It means that many patients will not be able to see their families and loved ones on Christmas Day.

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Chris Brackley, who lives in Harrogate and stepped down in October as chair of Healthwatch, which gives patient feedback to NHS leaders so services can be improved, told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate and District Foundation Trust needs to reverse these measures immediately. They are unfair and an absolute scandal.

“If necessary bring in the requirement for visitors to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test. It may not be popular but it would be far better to give people that option.

“From the data I have seen I see no reason to bring in restriction on visitors. We at least need a date for when these measures are going to be under review.

“These new measures were communicated poorly and will leave many alone this Christmas, like my 91-year-old mother in law who fell at home and is suffering with a fractured pelvis.”

 

Harrogate District Hospital.

Mr Brackley added that he believed the number of unvaccinated frontline staff at Harrogate and District Foundation Trust posed a greater coronavirus risk than visitors, who could have had three vaccinations.

Decision ‘not taken lightly’

Last month the Stray Ferret reported that there were believed to be 450 unvaccinated frontline health staff at the trust, although that number is likely to have been reduced.

The Stray Ferret asked the trust to comment on Mr Brackley’s views.

Emma Nunez, executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at the trust, said:

“This decision has not been taken lightly and it is one which trust’s across the country are having to consider. Many trusts already restrict visiting and others are currently considering putting similar restrictions in place.

“We understand that this will be disappointing for people who have a loved one in our care, and we apologise for any upset that this will cause, but we have had to take this difficult decision to protect both our patients and our staff.

“We will be reviewing our visitor arrangements regularly and we will look to relax visiting restrictions at the earliest opportunity.”

Covid deaths at Harrogate hospital approaching 200 mark

The number of covid deaths at Harrogate District Hospital is approaching the 200 mark as health chiefs look to speed up vaccinations ahead of winter.

The hospital’s toll since the pandemic began currently stands at 195, with the latest death of a patient who died within 28 days of testing positive being reported on Wednesday last week.

However, the number of covid patients receiving treatment at the hospital has fallen slightly from 25 to 24 in the last seven days.

The Harrogate district’s seven-day infection rate has also fallen, from 591 per 100,000 people to 548 today. It remains the highest in North Yorkshire.

It is also above both the county and England averages of 470 and 372 respectively.

Long trips for booster jabs

Booster vaccines are being made available for over 50s and any over 16s with a health condition that puts them at high risk of covid.

The NHS has shortened the length of time between second and third doses – and those eligible can now get vaccinated simply by turning up at a walk-in site.

However, these sites are currently limited in Harrogate with patients being asked to travel to Pateley Bridge or outside of the district as far as Bradford or Batley.

The NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group last week said it was unable to open any more walk-in sites in the area as “all clinics are running at capacity” and that it would do so “as soon as possible”.

A CCG spokesperson said:

“If we open walk-ins now it is likely we would exceed our vaccine allocation and there would be some disappointed people and negative feedback which we are trying to avoid.”

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Appointment-based vaccines are still available to book at local clinics via the national booking system, which also has dedicated slots for 12 to 15-year-olds available at the Homecare Pharmacy site in Knaresborough.

There was an aim to complete the rollout of vaccines to this age group by the start of half-term, however, progress has been slow with less than 20% in the Harrogate district receiving their single dose.

These jabs are being made available at schools but also at other sites including Askham Bar in York, Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium, the Northern Echo Arena in Darlington and Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

It was recently announced that Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground will reopen as a vaccine centre for an expected busy period of booster jabs in December.
The venue closed for vaccinations in August but will reopen for two weeks at the start of next month.

 

Covid poetry raises funds for Harrogate hospital

A book of poetry and photography about covid has been published to raise money for Harrogate hospital.

The book, called Focus on the GOOD, was compiled by author Leah Knight and Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity.

The charity has been collecting thoughts, anecdotes, stories and photographs from colleagues, volunteers, patients, service users and families about their experiences over the last year. They formed the basis of the book.

Contributors include staff from The White Hart Hotel, Little Dragons Day Nursery, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, Ashville College, Belmont Grosvenor School, Mike Brown Art, Stacey J Evans Photography and the Cedar Court Hotel.

Author Leah Knight said:

“Focus on the GOOD is filled with poetry inspired by stories of people we can all relate to, which is one of the many reasons it will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.”

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Sammy Lambert, business development, charity and volunteer manager at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The last 18 months has been filled with much sadness, but there have also been times where we can laugh and smile too.

“This book reflects on what has been gained as well as lost, where hope and positivity overcame fear, and how through challenging times a sense of community spirit has shone through.”

All proceeds from the book, which costs £12.99, will go towards the charity. It can be bought here.

 

Harrogate hospital records another covid death but infection rate falls

Harrogate District Hospital has reported another death from a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.

The death toll from covid at the hospital since March last year now stands at 193.

According to NHS England figures, the latest death was recorded on October 22.

Meanwhile, a further 97 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district according to latest Public Health England figures.

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The district’s seven-day covid rate has dropped to 612 per 100,000 people and is no longer the highest average in the county.

The North Yorkshire average is 548 and the England rate stands at 484.

A total of 130,232 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 121,915 have had a second dose.

Today, Knaresborough’s vaccine centre welcomed its first 12 to 15-year-olds for covid vaccine appointments.

Harrogate hospital invests £110,000 in staff and dementia care

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded £110,000 to fund better dementia care support, improved outdoor spaces and wellbeing projects.

NHS Charities Together, the national charity raising funds for hospitals, awarded the sum to the trust.

The trust used some of the money to buy new DVD players and tables for dementia patients at Harrogate District Hospital for entertainment and to help them stay in touch with family, especially when the hospital has to limit visits.

Hospital patients and visitors will also notice that some outdoor spaces have been transformed with physical and mental wellbeing in mind.

The new look includes fresh seating, garden pods, planting, wind chimes and even an outdoor barista. The spaces can be used as an escape for both staff and patients.

Funds have also been used by the hospital on microwaves, coffee and tea making facilities for staff.

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Matron Tammy Gotts said:

“It is important our patients never feel lonely and the tablets will help improve how they can communication with their friends and family.

“It also means that our patients would still be able to communicate with their loved ones should we ever face another lockdown.

“Having access to more entertainment options will also improve the hospital experience for patients. The outdoor spaces also provide the opportunity for patients to spend more time outside the wards in a pleasant environment.”

Sammy Lambert, business development, charity and volunteer manager, said:

“The funding we have been awarded is helping us to further improve the high level of care we are able to provide.

“Whilst it is wonderful that the funding will be of benefit for patients suffering from dementia, we are also pleased that it will have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our NHS colleagues who have worked tirelessly over the pandemic.

“Their wellbeing is vitally important and simple changes, such as developing outside spaces where they can relax for a moment, will ensure they feel well, healthy and happy at work.”

Harrogate Hospital Radio set to begin FM broadcasting

Harrogate Hospital Radio will begin broadcasting on FM next week after a three-year fight for its’ licence.

It will be launching on 95.3FM at 9:53am next Wednesday, September 1.

The station has been broadcasting since 1977 but will now move to FM radio to allow greater access for patients and staff.

The station will be heard from around a 2km radius surrounding the hospital. It will also continue to be available online and through the station’s app.

The transmitter will be switched on by Andrew Jones MP who gave his support during the battle for an FM licence.

The rest of the day will be hosted by the radio’s chairman Mark Oldfield, alongside guest presenters.

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After being rejected for an FM licence twice, Mark set up a petition online which gained over 500 signatures and the attention of MP Andrew Jones.

Mark said;

“Support from Andrew Jones and those signing the petition helped us immensely; we can continue to run a station for patients, families and hospital staff.”

The licence approval makes it one of the first hospital radio stations in the country to be broadcast on FM.

Harrogate hospital reports second coronavirus death in a week

Harrogate District Hospital has reported a second coronavirus death in a week — after going more than four months without any covid fatalities.

One patient died on Wednesday last week and the hospital reported today that another person had succumbed to the virus.

It takes the total number of coronavirus deaths at the hospital to 181.

Since lockdown restrictions were fully lifted in July, daily coronavirus cases have remained at about the 70 mark. Today’s figure is 82 and brings the total number of cases to 12,908.

The seven-day infection rate for the Harrogate district has increased to 315 people per 100,000. That is just above the North Yorkshire average of 311 and just below the England average of 330.

It was reported today that the number of patients at Harrogate District Hospital being treated for covid had risen to 10.

Elsewhere, 123,979 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 111,861 have had a second dose.

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Harrogate district bucks trend of rising covid hospital patients

The number of covid patients in North Yorkshire hospitals has increased by 40 per cent in the last week — but just three are in Harrogate.

A media briefing today revealed there are currently 112 covid patients in the county compared with 80 a week ago.

There are three patients in each of Scarborough and Harrogate hospitals, 19 in York and 87 in South Tees.

Coronavirus rates have soared to record levels. Harrogate’s seven-day average rate of infection is now 511 cases per 100,000 people, surpassing the previous January peak. But the number of hospital patients being at Harrogate District Hospital is well below the 67 seen in February.

The North Yorkshire average rate of infection is 570 and the England rate is 520.

Locally, Ripon south and east has become the new covid hotspot, with 69 infections in the last seven days.

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Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council’s director of health and adult services told the media briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum there had been no cause for celebration following Freedom Day on Monday. He said:

“As we meet today it is quite a bleak and depressing record even though we have had on Monday the lifting of restrictions.

“The current county average across North Yorkshire is 570 per 100,000 and that is the highest recorded figure that we have had in North Yorkshire.

“We have the highest figure we have ever had in Scarborough, higher now than the surge that we had in November.

“So that is quite stark in terms of the situation that we are currently facing.”

Mr Webb added there had been a “significant spread of the virus amongst younger people”. However, case numbers were increasing in all age groups. He said:

“I would ask you to continue to wear your face mask, to keep your hand hygiene and to keep ,where you can, to a distance from other people.

“You may feel confident personally, however, other people may be anxious and they may not feel confident and they may be worried about the spread of this virus.”

Double organ transplant patient to walk 850 miles for charity

A Harrogate man who has had kidney and pancreas transplants aims to walk 850 miles this year to raise money for organ donation.

Mark Smith, a diabetic, had both organs removed 12 years ago and has since raised funds to support others facing the same situation.

His 850-mile target represents the 850 million people suffering from kidney disease across the world.

He began the challenge at the start of the year and has so far walked nearly 350 miles, moving towards his goal by walking in bursts, sometimes up to 22 miles.

Funds raised will go towards Kidney Care UK and Friends of Harrogate Hospital.

He has previously raised nearly £17,000 for Kidney Care UK through a variety of fundraising challenges. He also volunteers for the charity as an advisor for patients going through transplants.

The charity offers both emotional and practical support both pre and post-operation for those going through kidney disease.

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He chose to take on this year’s mammoth walking challenge because it allows him to continue his long-distance trekking passion whilst still conforming with covid restrictions.

Some of the hardest legs of his journey have taken up to eight hours and have included walking across the Yorkshire three peaks.

One of his most notable past ventures involved walking across Hadrian’s wall with the mother of his own organ donor.

Despite receiving a double transplant himself, Mark didn’t seem too concerned about the physical implications of his challenge, saying that his main concern would be to stay hydrated.

He said that his most important aim was to make people consider what they would do in a situation where a loved one needed an organ donation;

“People need to have conversations with their family about their organ donation wishes. I am now an organ donation ambassador, I have completed many fundraisers and I have my own daughter through IVF. None of this would have happened if someone hadn’t said “I’ll donate”.”

Mark is still taking donations for the second half of his journey, which can be made here.

 

 

Six more covid cases in Harrogate district

Six more cases of covid have been recorded in the Harrogate district, according to the latest Public Health England data.

No more covid-related deaths at Harrogate District Hospital have been recorded, which means it is almost a month since the last one.

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The seven-day average rate of infection in the district is 12 per 100,000 people. A week ago it was 16.

The rate in Harrogate is below both the North Yorkshire and England averages, which stand at 20 and 22 respectively.

The highest rate in North Yorkshire is in Selby district, at 64.

The district’s total number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 7,709.