Hospital managers in Harrogate have raised concern over the sustainability of taking in ambulance patients from York.
In a report due before a Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust board meeting, Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of the trust, said the issue was having an impact on both patient safety and staff at Harrogate District Hospital.
Mr Coulter said Harrogate had taken in more than 1,500 ambulances from York over the last 18 months.
He said:
“In the spirit of challenge and improvement, we have raised our concerns about the sustainability of the current situation, in particular the impact on patient safety and the impact on colleagues.”
Under a previous agreement, the hospital took in ambulances which had been diverted away from York Hospital during times when the organisation’s emergency department was under pressure.
Harrogate took in patients in an “ad-hoc” manner, meaning that ambulances would request support from hospitals which had the capacity at any given time.
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The trust agreed with Yorkshire Ambulance Service and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to amend the agreement in May 2023 and redraw the boundaries between the two hospitals and to take patients in a “planned way”.
However, in a statement to the Stray Ferret, the trust said it still receives ad-hoc requests from ambulances some four months later.
A spokesperson said:
“Following a constructive review with both Yorkshire Ambulance Service and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in May 2023 we agreed to redraw the geographical boundaries between hospitals in Harrogate and York. Ambulances that previously would have gone to York now come to Harrogate, but in a planned, rather than ad-hoc way.
“Despite this new arrangement, there is still significant pressure across our health system and we continue to receive ad-hoc requests to divert ambulances to Harrogate.
“Providing the best possible healthcare for people who need our help is our main priority and we are in discussions with system partners to see what solutions can be introduced to alleviate pressures before we enter the winter period.”
Members of the hospital trust board will discuss the report at a meeting on Wednesday (September 27).
Interim leader of Harrogate hospital given permanent roleThe interim chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed to the post permanently, the hospital has announced.
Jonathan Coulter has held the post on a temporary basis previous chief executive Steve Russell went on secondment as national director for vaccines and screening with NHS England last February.
His move was made permanent in December, after which HDFT began recruiting nationally for a replacement. HDFT chair Sarah Armstrong said:
“I am delighted Jonathan has been appointed to the role of chief executive and I know he will lead the organisation with care, dedication and commitment.
“This is an exciting time for our trust. We are committed to providing the best possible level of healthcare for our community and we have a number of exciting projects over the next few years which will further improve on the high quality health and wellbeing service we provide.
“Jonathan’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable in driving these projects forward and I am very much looking forward to working closely with him in the future.”
Mr Coulter has worked in the NHS for more than 30 years, of which 20 have been as a director. He became finance director at HDFT in March 2006 before being appointed deputy chief executive four years later.
He said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed permanently into the role of chief executive.
“HDFT is a brilliant organisation with wonderful people. It is very humbling to be in a position to support all of our fantastic colleagues to be the best that they can be, and continue to do what we try to do every day, which is to help and support the people who need us.”
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Harrogate hospital advertises for new chief executive
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is advertising for a new chief executive.
Steve Russell left the role last year to take up a secondment at NHS England as director for covid and flu vaccinations.
In December, it was confirmed Mr Russel had taken up a position as director of vaccination and screening permanently and would not be returning to Harrogate.
The trust, which runs both Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital, has been overseen by acting chief executive Jonathan Coulter since February 2022.
A notice on the trust’s website advertising the role closes on April 26 with interviews due to take place on May 10 and 11.
No details of salary is included. However, Mr Coulter is paid a salary of £181,000.
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The role requires a candidate to have five years’ experience at board or director level and to ensure the trust’s services are “safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led”.
The move to appoint a new chief executive comes as the trust tackles long waiting lists, A&E waiting times and junior doctors strikes.
Last month, the Care Quality Commission also rated Harrogate hospital’s maternity services as “requires improvement”.
However, Mr Coulter said the rating was “not a fair reflection” of the service.