Industrial Action 2-5 October 2023

HCSA and BMA junior doctors alongside consultants who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will be undertaking joint round the clock industrial action from 7am on Monday 2 October until 7am on Thursday 5 October.

These instances of industrial action is likely to impact the Trust, with some appointments and elective surgery needing to be cancelled.

You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed. Please continue to come forward for the care you need.

We understand this may cause our patients and their families to worry about how services will be delivered during this period. The safety of our patients is our primary concern and we have developed plans for the proposed action and its impact on our services, patients and staff. We are working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and any postponed appointments will be re-arranged as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important to know that people with life-threatening or severe illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and come forward as normal.

For people who require medical assistance and are considering visiting our Emergency Department, unless it’s a life-threatening or a severe illness or injury, we would ask that they contact NHS 111 first either by calling or going online https://111.nhs.uk/. The NHS will help them right away and if they need urgent care, the NHS can book them in to be seen quickly and safely.

If you attend our Emergency Department when your condition is not serious or life-threatening, you may be asked to go elsewhere to seek support or you may have a very long wait for treatment. For more information on when to go to A&E, please visit the NHS UK website.

Thank you for your understanding.

Members of the public are being invited to join Governors and senior leaders from Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust at its Annual Members’ Meeting on Tuesday 19 September at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, King’s Road, Harrogate, HG1 1XX.

Registration for the formal meeting takes place from 5pm and there will be display stands, network opportunities and tea and coffee. The formal meeting will commence at 7pm and finish at 8:30pm. Free car parking is available.

The Annual Members’ Meeting gives the Trust the opportunity to share its reflections on the past year and engage with Foundation Trust members and members of the public.

Attendees will have the chance to listen to a series of presentations from across the Trust’s footprint (North Yorkshire and the North East) giving insights into the Trust’s future plans, strategy and road to continuous improvement.

Attendees will be able to meet Governors, Directors of the Trust Board and a wide variety of staff from across the organisation. There will also be an opportunity to pose questions to senior Trust colleagues including the Chair, Sarah Armstrong, and Chief Executive, Jonathan Coulter.

Sarah Armstrong, Chair of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We hope you are able to join us for our Annual Members’ Meeting to hear about all the fantastic work going on across our Trust.

“Highlights will also include updates from our subsidiary company, Harrogate Integrated Facilities and Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity.

“This event is a great opportunity to meet your elected Governors and senior leaders and we are looking forward to seeing as many people as possible.”

The Annual Members’ Meeting agenda and the Annual Report and Accounts for 2022/23 will be formally received and will be available on the Trust website in due course.

The event will also be streamed live on the Trust’s YouTube channel here.

This year’s event is expected to be busy, so please contact the Foundation Trust Membership Office by email at [email protected] to book a place.

– ENDS –

For further information please contact:

Giles Latham, Communications and Marketing Manager, [email protected] and 01423 557470.

Greg Dawson, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, [email protected] and 01423 557732.

Chantele Hodson, Communications and Marketing Assistant, [email protected] and 01423 557732.

Dear colleagues, parents/carers and service users,

Following the outcome of the trial of Lucy Letby, the NHS has expressed our profound apologies to all of the families. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) would like to reassure our present and future parents and families that steps are being taken across the NHS to keep patients safe.

These unspeakable crimes have shocked and sickened staff across the NHS and HDFT, just as they have the entire nation. These acts were a profound betrayal of patient trust, and we appreciate how distressed and concerned this can leave people feeling.

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that there will be an independent, non-statutory inquiry into the events at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Although these appalling crimes were the actions of a single individual, this case is a stark reminder of how important it is that the NHS listens carefully to the concerns of patients, families and staff.

We want everyone to feel safe and confident to speak up. If you have any questions or concerns about the care we are providing or you need to raise a safety concern at HDFT please contact the Patient Experience Team at [email protected].

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan

Jonathan Coulter

Chief Executive

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

[email protected]

You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed. Please continue to come forward for the care you need.

Consultants who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will be undertaking 48 hours of round the clock industrial action from 6:59am on Thursday 24 August to 6:59am on Saturday 26 August.

This instance of industrial action is likely to impact the Trust, with some appointments and elective surgery needing to be cancelled.

As this industrial action is also followed by a bank holiday weekend, its likely this will have greater impact on our services.

We understand this may cause our patients and their families to worry about how services will be delivered during this period. The safety of our patients is our primary concern and we have developed plans for the proposed action and its impact on our services, patients and staff. We are working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and any postponed appointments will be re-arranged as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important to know that people with life-threatening or severe illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and come forward as normal.

For people who require medical assistance and are considering visiting our Emergency Department, unless it’s a life-threatening or a severe illness or injury, we would ask that they contact NHS 111 first either by calling or going online https://111.nhs.uk/. The NHS will help them right away and if they need urgent care, the NHS can book them in to be seen quickly and safely.

If you attend our Emergency Department when your condition is not serious or life-threatening, you may be asked to go elsewhere to seek support or you may have a very long wait for treatment. For more information on when to go to A&E, please visit the NHS UK website.

Thank you for your understanding.

You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed. Please continue to come forward for the care you need.

HCSA and BMA Junior Doctors will be striking from 6:59am on Friday 11 August until 6:59am on Tuesday 15 August.

Consultants who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will also be undertaking 48 hours of round the clock industrial action from 6:59am on Thursday 24 August to 6:59am on Saturday 26 August.

Both instances of industrial action are likely to impact the Trust, with some appointments and elective surgery needing to be cancelled.

We understand this may cause our patients and their families to worry about how services will be delivered during this period. The safety of our patients is our primary concern and we have developed plans for the proposed action and its impact on our services, patients and staff. We are working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and any postponed appointments will be re-arranged as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important to know that people with life-threatening or severe illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and come forward as normal.

For people who require medical assistance and are considering visiting our Emergency Department, unless it’s a life-threatening or a severe illness or injury, we would ask that they contact NHS 111 first either by calling or going online https://111.nhs.uk/. The NHS will help them right away and if they need urgent care, the NHS can book them in to be seen quickly and safely.

If you attend our Emergency Department when your condition is not serious or life-threatening, you may be asked to go elsewhere to seek support or you may have a very long wait for treatment. For more information on when to go to A&E, please visit the NHS UK website.

Thank you for your understanding.

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC), staff members from Harrogate District Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and other HHCC fundraisers are teaming up to take on the National Three Peaks challenge, raising money to purchase new equipment for the hospital’s ICU.

As part of The National Three Peaks challenge, the team plan to conquer each of the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours; a total walking distance of 23 miles and a total ascent of 3064 metres.

Those taking part will start their journey at Ben Nevis on Tuesday 3 October, completing both Scotland’s highest mountain and Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, before nightfall. The next morning will be the final stretch of the journey as the team plan to ascend Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, and complete the challenge just as the sun rises on Wednesday 4 October.

The funds raised during the challenge will go towards the purchase of a MRI compatible ventilator which will allow clinical staff to accurately assess patients during transfer and ensure they can receive MRI scans while they remain ventilated.

Eve Geldart, Lead Critical Care Nurse in ICU said ‘As a service that is required to provide urgent lifesaving treatments to patients, it is important that we are able to perform specialised investigations like MRI in a timely manner.

“Currently, we would need to transfer intensive care patients to another hospital to get an MRI as we don’t have the specialised equipment that is needed to monitor and support their breathing during the test.

“An MRI compatible ventilator and patient monitoring system will allow us to provide this investigation for our patients at Harrogate District Hospital for the first time ever.”

Sammy Lambert, Business Development, Charity and Volunteer Manager has said “I’m excited to be taking part in the National Three Peaks challenge and can’t wait to start training and fundraising to raise vital funds, going above and beyond the provision of the NHS!

“Three years ago I had a horrendous injury and dislocated both my ankles.

“Following surgery to get me back on the road to recovery, I’m looking forward to this challenge and hoping to stay upright!”

Dan Thirkell, Mobilisation Manager said “As an active member of the HHCC Team, I have taken on a range of challenges however this will be my first time undertaking the National Three Peaks.

“I greatly appreciate any support you can offer by helping to reach our fundraising target and facilitate ICU with this much needed equipment.”

Visit Harrogate Hospital and Community Charitiy’s donation page to raise money for this lifesaving piece of equipment.

– ENDS –

For further information please contact:

Giles Latham, Communications and Marketing Manager, [email protected] and 01423 557470.

Greg Dawson, Communications and Marketing Assistant, [email protected] and 01423 557732.

Chantele Hodson, Communications and Marketing Assistant, [email protected] and 01423 557732

Following the sad passing of Andrew Lupton, Sales Director at Econ Engineering, local businesses, friends and family have raised over £15,000 in his memory for Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC).

After talks with HHCC, Andrew’s Family alongside Econ Engineering have decided all funds raised will help to purchase an MRI compatible ventilator monitor for use in Harrogate District Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Andrew was looked after with great care in his final hours by the ICU department and the donation of this equipment will aid in the care of future patients who spend time in the unit.

The ventilator monitor will allow clinical staff to accurately assess patients during transfer and ensure they can receive MRI scans while they remain ventilated.

Loved ones and local businesses payed tribute to Andrew by donating to HHCC through a JustGiving page set up by Andrew’s Family. HHCC are aiming to reach the additional fundraising goal of £80,000 needed to purchase the ventilator through their own donations page.

Dr Martin Huntley, Intensive Care Medicine Clinical Lead for Critical Care said, “As a service that is required to provide urgent lifesaving treatments to patients, it is important that we are able to perform specialised investigations like MRI in a timely manner.

“Currently, we would need to transfer intensive care patients to another hospital to get an MRI as we don’t have the specialised equipment that is needed to monitor and support their breathing during the test.

“An MRI compatible ventilator and patient monitoring system will allow us to provide this investigation for our patients at Harrogate for the first time ever.”

Sammy Lambert, Business Development, Charity and Volunteer Manager for HHCC, said, “We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s kind and generous fundraising in memory of Andrew.

“This piece of equipment will enhance the experience of patients when they are transferred, benefit the work of our incredible staff at Harrogate District Hospital and leave a lasting in legacy for many years to come.

“Our Director of Strategy, myself, some of the Charity and ICU Team and members of the public will take on National Three Peaks Challenge to raise vital funds for this equipment.

“Please donate, if you can. HHCC could not go above and beyond the provision of the NHS to fund equipment such as this ventilator without the generosity of our supporters who we are so grateful to have.”

A spokesperson for Econ Engineering said “Econ are fully supportive of this project and would encourage as many people to support this fundraising effort where possible, which will help aid as many patients as possible in the future.”

Visit Harrogate Hospital and Community Charitiy’s donation page today to raise money for this lifesaving piece of equipment

ENDS

For further information please contact:

• Giles Latham, Communications and Marketing Manager on [email protected] and 01423 557470.
• Greg Dawson, Communications and Marketing Assistant on [email protected] and 01423 557732.
• Chantele Hodson, Communications and Marketing Assistant on [email protected] and 01423 557732

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity is the Charity for Harrogate District Hospital and Community Health Services. The Charity raises funds to help do more for local patients and their families when they need it most. They fund specialist equipment, training and services over and above what the NHS provides, and  raise funds for individual departments and services and the charity as a whole. To support Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity, visit www.hhcc.co.uk.

Registered charity 1050008