Harrogate hospital chief will not return from NHS secondment

Steve Russell will not return to his role as Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) chief executive after accepting a national director position with NHS England.

In February, Mr Russell left his role in Harrogate to take up a secondment as national director for covid and flu vaccinations at NHS England.

The secondment was due to last up to a year but he has now been offered a permanent role as director of vaccination and screening.

HDFT chair Sarah Armstrong thanked Mr Russell for his efforts at a HDFT board of directors meeting in Harrogate on Wednesday.

A HDFT spokesperson added:

“We would like to warmly congratulate Steve and wish him every success in the future.

“In the meantime, the current executive team arrangements will continue to operate whilst we consider what the permanent arrangement will be.”

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Mr Russell was appointed chief executive in April 2019 and was in charge of the trust during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also led the organisation during the creation of an NHS Nightingale hospital at Harrogate Convention Centre. The hospital closed last year without treating any Covid-19 patients.

Jonathan Coulter has been working as HDFT chief executive since February and will continue in the role until a permanent appointment is made. He is paid a salary of £181,000.

Mr Coulter is a qualified accountant and has taken on a number of roles at various hospital trusts.

He joined HDFT as finance director in March 2006 and has also worked as deputy chief executive.

Harrogate hospital employs security staff for first time

Security staff have been employed for the first time at Harrogate District Hospital in response to a growing number of reports of aggressive and abusive behaviour.

The security officers work overnight, particularly focusing on the accident and emergency department, to offer reassurance to staff.

Speaking at a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee today, Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We were always reluctant to have our own security service on the hospital site because we felt we were a health service, not anything else. I know other trusts went much more quickly into having dedicated security personnel on site.

“We have in the last six months introduced, between 7pm and 7am overnight, our own security service, which is a bit of a shame that we’ve had to do that, but it was something that made the staff feel safer, particularly in the early hours with the emergency department where Harrogate has never had a problem before, but has had an increasing problem.

“I wouldn’t say it’s anything like we get lots of these incidents, it’s a handful of incidents but they don’t need to happen very often for it to be disturbing and for people to get concerned about it.”

Mr Coulter was responding to a question from Cllr Michael Schofield, who said he had read about an increase in verbal abuse from patients and visitors when they were asked to wear face masks.

Cllr Schofield, a Liberal Democrat who represents Harlow & St George’s division, added:

“I find it quite alarming that staff and volunteers have to deal with this situation.”

Mr Coulter said compliance with mask-wearing was “amazingly” high early in the pandemic and at the beginning of each lockdown, but had dropped since then and some volunteers were being verbally abused for asking people to put on masks.

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Hospital fundraiser extraordinaire Andy Wilkinson steps down after 45 years

A fundraiser who has helped raise more than £2.7m for Harrogate District Hospital has stood down as chairman of a volunteer group.

The Friends of Harrogate Hospital have generated more than £2.7m over the last 56 years to buy thousands of pieces of equipment for the hospital that could not be purchased through the NHS budget.

Wing commander Andy Wilkinson has been an active volunteer with the friends for nearly 45 years, with the majority of years as the group’s chairman.

Mr Wilkinson has been at the heart of everything from coffee mornings to major events like the Big Picnic.  He said:

“The generosity of everyone has made it thoroughly enjoyable.

“We’ve done our best to raise money to help people.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing it and I hope it can go on from strength to strength.”

In recent years, the friends have funded relatives’ rooms on the children’s wards so parents of sick children have somewhere to stay, as well as on the intensive therapy unit and the stroke unit.

The group has also paid for a light sensory unit, a friends’ garden, and a paediatric outpatients waiting room.

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One of its biggest campaigns saw it raise £330,000 to house an MRI scanner in 2005. More than 1,000 patients have benefited from that every year since. Mr Wilkinson said:

“We’re a good news organisation. And it brings a boost to the staff, to be supported by local people. They know that everybody is backing them.

“We have a hospital that’s one of the best in the country. That’s down to the generosity of the people of Harrogate who have donated.”

Greatest achievement

Mr Wilkinson said his greatest achievement with the friends was helping to set up a volunteer scheme at the hospital, securing a grant in 2008 to employ someone for three years to recruit volunteers.

He has now passed the reins to new chairman John Fox but will stay on as a volunteer. He said:

“I know that the friends are in good hands, John Fox has been a trustee of the friends before we merged with Harrogate Hospital Community Charity, and has been a very supportive volunteer for many years.  John is busy reorganising the voluntary group for the future.”

Mr Fox said:

“We thank Andy for his enduring commitment and dedication to the Friends over many years.  He was also a founder governor of the foundation trust.  His support for Harrogate hospital is just amazing.  I know that the staff have really appreciated his work over many years.  He will be a hard act to follow.”

Sarah Armstrong, chair of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:

“We are extremely grateful for all Andy’s fundraising efforts over many years and his commitment to supporting Harrogate Hospital in making a difference for our patients.”

For more information about the Friends of Harrogate Hospital, contact friendsofhdft@gmail.com

Harrogate district nurses vote to strike

Nursing staff in the Harrogate district have voted to go on strike over pay and patient safety concerns.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust nurses were among those from many trusts in England that voted to strike, the Royal College of Nursing said today.

A spokesman for the trust said it would be for the union to decide when a strike will take place.

Many of the biggest hospitals in England will see strikes by RCN members but others narrowly missed the legal turnout thresholds to qualify for action.

This is the first statutory ballot on industrial action across the UK in the 106-year history of the RCN.

Industrial action is expected to begin before the end of this year and the RCN’s mandate to organise strikes runs until early May 2023, six months after members finished voting.

Nursing staff were balloted following NHS Agenda for Change pay announcements this year. The RCN said in a statement this left experienced nurses 20 per cent worse off in real-terms compared to ten years earlier.

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RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said:

“Anger has become action – our members are saying enough is enough. The voice of nursing in the UK is strong and I will make sure it is heard. Our members will no longer tolerate a financial knife-edge at home and a raw deal at work.

“Ministers must look in the mirror and ask how long they will put nursing staff through this. While we plan our strike action, next week’s Budget is the UK government’s opportunity to signal a new direction with serious investment. Across the country, politicians have the power to stop this now and at any point.”

England Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he “deeply regretted” some union members had voted for action and said the government’s priority was “keeping patients safe during any strikes”. He added:

“The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to minimise disruption and ensure emergency services continue to operate.”

 

Harrogate hospital introduces yellow socks for fall victims

Harrogate District Hospital has started issuing yellow socks to victims of falls.

The scheme, which has been introduced by other hospitals, allows staff and visitors to identify patients who require extra assistance with their mobility.

Under the scheme, if a Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust patient is admitted having previously fallen, they will be automatically given a pair of non-slip yellow socks.

Katie Butterworth, falls specialist and corporate nurse at the trust, said:

“The bright colour of the socks let both staff and visitors know that a patient who is wearing them may need assistance when walking and could be a potential fall risk.

“We would like all staff to see (yellow socks), think (extra assistance) and then act (review falls risk assessment).”

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Teams wanted for hospital charity ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition

Back in the 1970s, It’s A Knockout was one of the most popular family game shows on TV – it was essentially a sports day for adults.

Now, Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity (HHCC) is inviting friends, families and work colleagues to take part in its version in June.

Teams of 10 entrants will battle it out on an It’s a Knockout inflatable assault course at Harrogate Railway Athletic Football Club on Sunday, June 5.

An ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ challenge of wacky games will see contestants face water and foam in their quest to be crowned champion.

Community spirit

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

“HHCC are so excited to be able to host the Summer Extravaganza and bring people together once again.

“We want to bolster community spirit by creating the opportunity for families, friends and colleagues to meet for a day of summer fun while supporting their local NHS at the same time.”

Members of the community have the chance to rise to the challenge or come and support their team.

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The event forms part of this year’s Summer Extravaganza, which will raise funds for NHS services at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

It will include a range of shopping stalls, summer game stands, a bar and barbecue.

Entry to It’s A Knockout Game is £30 per person. Participants must be over 16 and each registration includes entry to the Summer Extravaganza.

Challengers can sign up as an individual or as part of a team. Teams will be entered into one of three groups, with limited availability.

Tickets

Tickets for entry to the Summer Extravaganza are available for a donation of £2 for adults and children over the age of five. Children under the age of five go free.

Register for It’s A Knockout or buy tickets by emailing hdft.hhcc@nhs.net or visit the HHCC website.

Covid rate falls from 1,300 to 344 in Harrogate district over last month

Latest figures reveal how dramatically the covid rate of infection has fallen in the Harrogate district over the past month.

Data published by North Yorkshire County Council shows the seven-day rate of infection was 344 per 100,000 people on March 1.

On February 1, when the Omicron variant was rampant, the rate was 1,300 per 100,000 people.

Although the rate continues to fall, there have still been covid-related deaths reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

NHS England figures show that one death was recorded on February 28 and another on February 25.

There have been 232 covid-related deaths at the hospital since the pandemic started almost two years ago.

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From Tuesday, the rules for people visiting patients in Harrogate and Ripon’s hospitals will be relaxed.

Since December 23, visitors have only been allowed for patients on end-of-life care, patients with a learning disability or severe cognitive impairment such as dementia. Visits to parents or carers of children and birthing partners are also permitted.

But from Tuesday, patients can have one visitor, by appointment, between 2pm-4pm for 30 minutes. Only two visitors will be allowed in each bay at any one time.

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.