HDFT Member News July 2020 - Harrogate and District NHS Foundation ...
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HDFT Member News
July 2020
Hello everyone
I have been in post as Chief Executive here at the Trust for just Carers that took place. They have been very emotional. I will be
over a year now. It is fair to say that I’ve been blown away by the joining in one last time at 5pm this Sunday, please do so as
dedication to patient care I’ve seen from my colleagues both at well.
Harrogate District Hospital and across our community services in
North Yorkshire and the North East. I’ve spent a lot of time I hope you find this update useful. We cover a number of topics,
working shifts with teams in many different parts of the Trust, and but one really important article is the work we are now doing to
this has given me some incredible insight into how we work and bring back our ‘normal’ services and start seeing patients again. I
look after people. know people want to come and be seen by us. This work is
already underway, but it will be a long-term effort to recover in a
I think it’s fair to say that when I joined back in April 2019, we way gives you the confidence that our services are safe to
didn’t quite envisage a global pandemic having so much impact access.
on us at the Trust, and in our local communities. We can’t
pretend that it hasn’t been a huge challenge for us – perhaps the Your patience and understanding is
biggest the NHS has ever faced. Colleagues have stepped up much appreciated.
and worked in different ways, always with a clear focus on
looking after patients.
Steve Russell
The support for the NHS over the past few months has been Chief Executive
incredible. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. It’s
been fantastic to witness and be a part of the weekly Clap for
The 5 July 2020, which is the #NHSBirthday, is about saying NHS and their communities, whether by staying at home,
thank you to everyone - without whom the NHS wouldn’t have helping their neighbours with the shopping, maintaining social
been able to respond to the coronavirus. At 5pm on Sunday distancing or washing their hands more often. The NHS is
join the nation for a country-wide “Clap for Carers” grateful to the nation for its efforts – great and small.
#. #ThankYouTogether
We would therefore like to take this moment, the NHS 72nd
anniversary, to say Thank You to everyone who has helped
2020 has been the most challenging year in NHS history.
us over the past six months to help respond to this global
Over the last few months the NHS has stepped up in ways
pandemic. We want to project back the warmth and renewed
never seen before to work out how to deliver services
respect for the NHS and our people on to the country as a
differently following lockdown, recruit tens of thousands more
whole. For the sacrifices made so far, and the continuing
staff, returners and volunteers and even build hospitals to
efforts to come.
respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The NHS could
not have achieved this without the commitment and skills of
It is also the anniversary of the social care system which was
our people. And we are thankful for the recognition they have
created at the same time in 1948 and an opportunity to
received. But the unprecedented challenge facing the NHS
celebrate the work of our partners in social care and those we
would have been made all but impossible without the help
have been working with throughout the pandemic.
and support of countless individuals and organisations around
the country, the key workers, from bus drivers and refuse
collectors to care givers and shop workers. And the public too,
who embraced the lockdown measures to help protect the
Chairman’s letter
Dear Members
Sunday 5 July 2020 marks the 72nd anniversary of the
relating to infection control and social distancing. Safety for
foundation of the National Health Service, a universal,
patients and staff is our top priority. This will require some
equitable, comprehensive, high quality, free at the point of
separation of areas within Harrogate District Hospital to
delivery, centrally funded.
minimise the risk of infection and quarantining before
procedures for some patients. Recovery will be
In recent months the NHS has taken on a new
incremental and quite slow to enable us to continue to
significance in the response to Coronavirus. All colleagues
provide a safe environment.
in Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust have
played a big part in supporting local residents in Harrogate
We won’t be returning to our ‘usual’ capacity and are
and the wider North Yorkshire, County Durham,
therefore prioritising patients based on clinical need. We’re
Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees,
also going to see waiting times for appointments increase,
Sunderland and Gateshead to stay safe and to care for
unfortunately.
those people and their families who have been directly
affected. The Board of Directors and Council of Governors
During the lockdown period our community teams have been
are constantly in awe of the wonderful care and
providing increased support to patients at home, especially
professionalism shown by every single person who works
frail older people. We are planning to maintain this capacity in
for the Trust and our wholly owned subsidiary, Harrogate
order to avoid the need for hospital admissions wherever
Integrated Facilities.
possible.
During the pandemic restrictions many of us have been
We have been overwhelmed by the support of local
working from home to avoid unnecessary travel and mixing in
communities, individuals, businesses. So many people
offices. The Board of Directors and Council of Governors have
have shown their generosity and ingenuity – people who
been meeting using video conferencing which has been a
are skilful with sewing machines have been producing all
new experience. We have learned that this is a valuable
sorts of essential items like scrubs, face masks, uniform
option for the future but there will never be a substitute for face
bags; we have received many thoughtful donations –
to face discussions. We have not been able to plan for our
hand cream, items for the staff shop, plants for our
Annual Members meeting and do not know when we will be
courtyard gardens; donations of money to provide extras
able to arrange this. We are hoping to publish the Annual
for staff and patients and we have all been uplifted by the
Report and Accounts for 2019/20 in September.
clapping for carers on Thursday evenings (car horns,
saucepans, bare hands) and the sight of rainbows in
The wonderful team which runs our charity, Harrogate
windows everywhere. These are just a few examples
Hospital and Community Charity had planned some exciting
which have demonstrated how greatly the local NHS is
events including It’s a Knockout and a gala concert with the
valued by residents. We are all very grateful.
Harrogate Choral Society. However, they have been working
The care for staff has been at the heart of our planning
closely to support all those individuals and organisations who
during this very difficult time. Many colleagues in clinical
have been so generous with donations. They have also
roles are facing practical and emotional challenges. They
organised a major raffle. The Harrogate Advertiser has been
need to change Personal Protective Equipment, which is
extremely helpful in publicising all these activities by giving the
uncomfortable and hot, many times during a shift. They
charity a regular column.
also have personal worries about their own safety and that
of their families. In order to reduce the spread of the virus it
We at HDFT realise how difficult the last few months have
was necessary to restrict visiting but staff are always there
been for you, our members, especially if you have been
to provide care and compassion. The pressures on our
feeling unwell or need continuing support from the NHS. We
colleagues are intense and we have enhanced our
greatly appreciate the ways in which many patients have
support for them in a variety ways including a new
responded to the request to stay at home if you can and
Employee Assistance Programme which gives staff
contact us by phone or use video consultations. We cannot
access to confidential psychological support.
stress too much that it is important to seek help when you
need it. If you are unsure how to do this please call NHS 111.
During the course of the pandemic it has become
If it’s an emergency, then please call 999. The NHS is here
apparent that there is a disproportionate impact of the
for all of us as it has been for the last for the last 72 years.
virus on people from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic
backgrounds. This is a matter of great concern only for
Stay Safe and Well.
patients but also BAME staff. The Trust has ensured that
they have the opportunity to
discuss personal risks and the steps which can be taken
to mitigate these. As infection rates reduce we are working
Angela Schofield
hard to restore services to a “new normal”. We must
Chairman
continue to ensure that we provide the highest standards
of care for patients with coronavirus while planning the
recovery in a safe way which complies with all guidance
Reintroduction of Services
As more and more services and clinics start up again, measures
are being put in place at Harrogate District Hospital to minimise
the risk of the spread of Covid-19 infection. The measure, in
areas including Outpatients, Day Surgery and Endoscopy, are
also in place to provide assurance to patients that the
environment is as safe as possible for them to come and receive
care. Hospital staff are also making it clear that nobody should
come for their appointment if they are showing symptoms of
Covid-19.
Outpatient areas
In Outpatients, on the day of someone’s appointment they are
asked to use the Main Entrance of the hospital on arrival, where
they will be provided with a face mask and hand sanitiser. They
will then be directed to the department they need to attend. On Later in the day, on discharge, patients will be escorted back to
presenting there, as a precaution they will be asked some key their car/lift home. After their operation, each person will be
questions about showing signs of Covid-19 symptoms or if they asked to shield at home and will be given information to help
have been shielding. them to do this.
Consideration has been given to the Outpatient environments to The environment of Day Surgery has also been considered. It
ensure that social distancing can be maintained in waiting areas has the advantage of waiting areas, the operating theatre and
and a signposted one-way system is in place where possible. the recovery ward all being together, so there is no need for
This does mean fewer patients can be accommodated at any patients to go to other parts of the hospital. The whole unit will be
one time, so patients are asked to only arrive at the hospital 10 deep cleaned every week, on top of the regular thorough
minutes before their appointment time. cleaning that takes place there.
In many of the Outpatient clinics each patient will likely see their A similar process is being put in place for Endoscopy
appointments alternative between face-to-face and virtual. It is appointments, which start up again on Monday 15 June.
important that patients check their appointment letters carefully to Staff in both areas will have their temperatures taken at the start
ensure they are not travelling to hospital unnecessarily. of every shift, on top of what we tell all colleagues to do in terms
of isolating if they or anyone in their household are showing
Issie Macniven, Matron for Outpatients, said: “Our aim is to symptoms of Covid-19.
ensure the safety of our patients and staff as we start to increase
the number of clinics running each day. We have mask stations Richard Dalton, Matron for Day Surgery and Endoscopy, said:
set up with handwashing facilities and have altered the waiting “Our aim is to minimise, as much as possible, the risk to patients
rooms to accommodate social distancing rules. “We ask patients and staff but also start up much needed services again. We are
to please check their appointment letters carefully, as some here to provide care for people who need it, following a rigorous,
appointments now will be telephone calls. Also, if you are unable consistent process in ‘self-contained’ areas.
to attend, please ring the Appointment Centre to let us know as
soon as you can. Thank you for your patience and “We are prioritising the most urgent cases first and are already in
understanding.” touch with patients. This work is being led by our Consultants so
it’s a medically-led process.
Day Surgery & Endoscopy
A dedicated, separate entrance for people coming to Harrogate “We understand that complying with the isolation period both
District Hospital to have a Day Surgery procedure is one of before and after a procedure will be a challenge for people but
several new measures being brought in to help to protect we must stress that it’s a really important part of what needs to
patients and staff. happen.”
Patients will be pre-assessed over the phone and asked to Elective work requiring an inpatient stay
isolate at home for 14 days prior to their procedure. During this Work is continuing to be able to facilitate elective operations
time, they will be swabbed for Covid-19 and if negative can requiring an inpatient stay. A further update will be provided next
continue isolating. If the test is positive, then their procedure will month, July 2020.
have to re-arranged.
On the day of someone’s appointment, they will be asked to
come to a specific Day Surgery car park, where staff in full
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will come to meet them at
their car. Each patient will then have their temperature taken and
symptoms checked, as a precaution. The patient will then be
given a mask and escorted into the Day Surgery department by
staff, and won’t have to touch any doors, buzzers, etc, on the
way in.
Childhood Immunisation
Parents urged to attend rescheduled childhood immunisa-
tion appointments
“Some families may be worried about attending appointments in
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s childhood im- the current climate, but they should rest assured that infection
munisation teams – who provide services right across North control procedures have been put in place to ensure that their
Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham – are now eager to child is vaccinated in a safe environment.”
reassure parents that it is safe to attend rescheduled
appointments and ensure their children are caught up with Karen Guest-Humphries, Clinical Lead and Interim Deployment
important vaccinations. Lead for the Durham, Darlington and Teesside Childhood
Immunisation Team, said: “We recognise that some children
Routine vaccination appointments for school-aged children are really scared of having vaccinations and that the addition of
were cancelled earlier this year as schools closed in light of staff wearing PPE may heighten this anxiety. I would like to
coronavirus. reassure parents that our staff are well experienced at dealing
with anxious children and will ensure that your child is put at
Now there is concern in the NHS that the public’s fear of ease to allow them to receive their vaccinations.”
contracting coronavirus is preventing them from accessing
essential healthcare when they need it. This is a real worry for One parent, who attended a childhood immunisation
healthcare professionals, as things like missed childhood appointment at the start of the month, passed on her thanks to
vaccinations will have serious knock-on effects in the future. the team who provided the service: “They made us feel very
safe in the current pandemic situation and put my son who is
Appointments are now being offered in risk-assessed petrified of needles at total ease.”
community settings to allow proper social distancing to be
maintained. Clinical staff will be in appropriate PPE and For more information on immunisation services provided in
appointments are being staggered to reduce the number of North Yorkshire and the City of York, please visit:
people on site at once. https://www.facebook.com/childhoodimmunisations/ and for
more information on services in County Durham, Darlington and
Anyone with a child who is pre-school age and has missed a Teesside, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/
vaccination, please contact your local GP to arrange an childhoodimmunisationsDurhamDarlingtonandtees/.
appointment. The only time not to attend an appointment is if
you or anyone in your household is displaying symptoms of
coronavirus.
Lois Alderson, Clinical Lead for the North Yorkshire and City of
York Childhood Immunisations Team, said: “The national
immunisation programme is highly successful in reducing the
incidences of serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases,
and so it is vitally important we ensure a high level of vaccination
uptake to prevent a resurgence of infectious diseases.
Get involved on social media!
Please give us a like
Keep up to date with the latest news and events from around the Trust through our Facebook and Twitter
accounts:
www.facebook.com/HarrogateDistrictNHS
www.twitter.com/HarrogateNHSFT
In January 2020 the Volunteer Service was transferred to the
Planning Department so the service would integrate with the
Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity (HHCC) team. At
the same time and over subsequent weeks the Organisation
strategically planned how they would manage the increasing
impact of coronavirus across the UK. The Volunteer service
undertook a huge recruitment campaign to ensure there were
adequate volunteers to be able to respond effectively to the
needs of the Hospital and Community services. The Volunteer
Service recruited over 250 new volunteers. However, this had patients improving quality and enhancing their overall
to be abruptly halted in line with government guidelines as the experience. Volunteers complement all our current services in a
Organisation responded day by day to growing number of variety of ways:
Coronavirus cases and made the difficult decision to stop all Supporting patients at meal times
Volunteers and visitors from coming into the hospital. The Chaplaincy
Over the past few months, HHCC and Volunteer Team have Maternity Services
worked diligently to continue to support the Trust to fund Therapy Services
specialist equipment training and services; going above and Pharmacy
beyond the provision of the NHS to help improve treatment and
The Charity and Fundraising Team
facilities. All donations that are received really do make a
difference to patients, their families and staff across the Harrogate Hospital Radio
organisation, particularly in light of the current global pandemic. Complementary Therapy Services
Patients at the end of life
We have recently celebrated Volunteer Week virtually
whereby a number of volunteers recorded a short video which Patients on Lascelles with a variety of craft activities
was uploaded every day during the week on a variety of social Administration services
media platforms. All our Volunteers received an e-Thank you Meeting, greeting and checking in patients and visitors for
card for their continued hard work and dedication to supporting Main Reception, Out Patient Clinics, the Sir Robert Ogden
HDFT. Macmillan Centre and at Ripon Community Hospital
On Sunday 5th July 2020, the NHS is celebrating its 72nd Offering a wonderful gardening service so the hospital
birthday! Now more areas are a place of comfort for staff and patients to sit in.
than ever is a time to Driving patients
give thanks to our living in Nidderdale
colleagues here at to and from hospital
HDFT. This is also an Breast feeding peer
opportunity for us to say support volunteers
thank you back to in our community
members of our local sites and
community, businesses Therapy dogs;
and community groups Volunteers also assist in many ‘one off’ roles such as assisting
who have gone above and beyond to support us in these difficult with patient experience surveys and helping at Medicine for
times. Whilst it is a time for celebration, it is also a time for Member lectures. We are looking forward to linking with
reflection and remembrance for those we have lost due to the Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity further and
devastating pandemic. increasing volunteer numbers.
We currently have over 300 enthusiastic and committed active If you could like to make a donation to HHCC please do so by
volunteers of varying ages providing invaluable assistance to visiting our website at www.hhcc.co.uk or contact one of the
staff, patients and visitors across the Organisation. The majority team on 01423 557408.
of our volunteers are based at Harrogate District Hospital;
however, there are community volunteers who are based at
various sites such as Ripon Community Hospital, County
Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough and Scarborough. The
support our Volunteers offer is invaluable to our colleagues and
New Hospital visitor guidance
VISITING ARRANGEMENTS:
MATERNITY SERVICES:
With immediate effect, visiting for all inpatients is now
allowed. This must be one visitor per patients between 2- We are very pleased to be able to start welcoming visitors
4pm each day. Visitors need to book prior to visiting directly back. We appreciate how hard it has been to keep in touch
with the ward, and complete a Covid-19 questionnaire (staff with loved ones who are in hospital with these restrictions in
will provide this as part of the call to the ward). Patients who place. We’d like to thank you for your support and
are in the current category for visiting may still have understanding during this difficult time.
flexible visiting at the discretion of the Nurse in Charge.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our patients,
Extra information about specific patient groups: communities, individuals and teams remain our absolute
priority, and with that in mind, we will begin to introduce
Patients at End of Life visiting to our department in phases and will continue to
These patients should be allowed open visiting where review our policy.
possible. One, or a maximum or two, visitors at a time
may visit throughout the day (and night if appropriate) and it To ensure that we can maintain our levels of safety for
can be different members of the family. everyone, it is important for everyone to follow the expert
national guidance on social distancing and self-isolation,
Patients with a Learning Disability staying at home wherever possible, to help limit the spread
Each patient should be assessed and visiting discussed with of COVID-19, protect the most vulnerable people in our
their immediate family. You may need to seek advice from communities and our NHS.
Ben Haywood-Noble if you are unsure if visitors would be
beneficial. Visiting times should be allowed on an individual
basis depending on the patient’s needs.
Patients with Dementia
Each patient should be assessed as to whether or not COMMUNITY SERVICES:
receiving a visitor would be beneficial to their wellbeing. If you
are unsure please discuss with medical staff and/or Matron. In the community, colleagues are aiming for a minimal
number of visits, instead using technology to facilitate
Long stay patients remote appointments. We know that many teams are doing
Some patients have been apart from their family for a long this already and that is much appreciated.
time and have had no other means of communication.
Following a discussion with the family a visiting time should
be allocated for up to one hour with one visitor
CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS
If you have any of the following symptoms you should not visit, even if these symptoms are mild or intermittent, due to the risk they
pose to others:
High temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
New, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you
usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or
taste different to normal.
The two metre social distancing rule should be adhered to throughout the hospital wherever possible. Please may we ask that
you adhere to this during your visit, including all communal areas and lifts. You may witness that this is not possible for staff when
caring for patients
Welcome to our new...
Medical Director
Dr Jackie Andrews Nominated Stakeholder Harrogate
Integrated Facilities
Clare Cressy
Jackie is a Consultant Rheumatologist, and does a small
Clare was appointed as the Trust’s new Lead Governor at the
amount of clinical work at the Trust. Prior to joining the Trust in
beginning of 2020, and has been a Governor since 2017, firstly
June 2020 she was at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, where she
as a member of Staff and then as the Stakeholder Governor for
was an Associate Medical Director and Director of Research
Harrogate Integrated Facilities. She has worked in the hospital
and Innovation. She was at Leeds since October 2008, and
for over 15 years and is very passionate about her role as
prior to that she worked in London, Auckland and Edinburgh.
Sterile Services Manager: ensuring patient safety and the staff
Jackie lives locally and is passionate about both the local NHS is at the forefront of everything she does. As Lead Governor,
services and the wider children’s services across North Clare is enjoying the role of listening and promoting a fair and
Yorkshire and the North East. just culture with an equitable approach, as well as ensuring
there is structure and development available to all Governors so
they are able to perform their duties as effectively as possible.
Non-Executive Director
Andrew Papworth
Public Governor Harrogate & Surrounding
Villages
Andrew is an accomplished leader with 20-plus years’ experi-
ence in financial services, including six-plus years at executive William Fish
level, working in regulated environments. Andrew has a deep
background in financial management, business leadership and William was elected as a Public Governor for Harrogate &
transformation. Surrounding Villages in 2019. He and his family are involved in
Outside of work, Andrew lives in Yorkshire and is married with the caring and social well-being professions, including social
two children. He is also a qualified football coach and runs a work and healthcare, and feels he could best serve the local
grassroots team in the community. community by supporting the Trust that is at the center of all our
lives.
Non-Executive Director
Jeremy Cross Staff Governor Nursing & Midwifery
Kathy McClune
Jeremy Cross is a fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants.
He joined the Trust from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust where Kathy is another Staff Governors, also appointed in 2019. Her
he has been a Non-Executive Director for five years. Prior to NHS journey began 35 years ago as a nurse in London and
taking up non-executive roles Jeremy held senior positions at then as a Midwife. She has worked for HDFT for 16 years in
Lloyds Banking Group, Asda and Boots the Chemist. both clinical and leadership roles, including Professional
Outside of the NHS, Jeremy is Chair of Mansfield Building Development midwife and also the role of Professional
Society – a mutual owned organisation that is this year Midwifery Advocate.
celebrating its 150th anniversary. He is also a trustee at Forget
me not Children’s hospice in Huddersfield, a Governor at the
Grammar School at Leeds, and a trustee in several other local
charities. Jeremy is married to Anna, a finance professional, and Staff Governor Non-Clinical
is father to Philippa. Sam Marshal
Sam was appointed as one of the Trust’s Staff Governors in
2019 and is an IT Team Leader, having a genuine passion for
Non-Executive Director our Trust and the NHS. In a period of huge digital advances,
Wallace Sampson OBE Sam’s expertise is a valuable addition to the Council of
Governors, working in partnership with the Board to help the
Wallace has been with Harrogate Borough Council since August Trust achieve its vision of delivering high quality services.
2008 and has worked in local government for over 35 years. He
started with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and has also
worked at Chesterfield Borough Council, Kirklees MBC, and Bradford
MDC where he was Strategic Director Customer Services and
Assistant Chief Executive for Regeneration and the Environment.
Wallace enjoys most sports but particularly football, cricket and
golf. Relaxation is best spent either at the gym or reading adventure/
action based fiction.
PUBLIC COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS
The Council of Governors represent the interests of the Foundation Trust members and the general public; they have an
important role in acting as the eyes and ears of the membership with regards to the quality of service the Trust
provides. Governors make a creative contribution to the life of the Trust ensuring that we respond to the needs of the local
communities and take into account the views of the public in service development and redesign. Throughout the period of the
Covid 19 pandemic, the Trust has followed national guidance which indicated that governance arrangements should be reduced
to the essential required to ensure that there were appropriate levels of support, scrutiny and accountability. Face to face meetings
and briefings were postponed, and telephone and video conferences have provided governors the opportunity to ask questions
and receive regular briefings related to a wide range of issues. Our most recent meeting was held in June, via video conference,
and was well attended by our Governors and members of the Board of the Trust, no members of the public were
present. Governors received an update from the Chairman and Chief Executive, as well as up to date financial information from
the Director of Finance, and Governors confirmed that the regular briefings have been extremely valuable, with expressions of
thanks to the Board for their commitment to communicate frequently with Governors during these difficult times.
Further details about the Council of Governors can be found on the Trust’s website at: https://www.hdft.nhs.uk/about/council-
of-governors/meet-our-governors/
ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING 2020
Our Annual General Meeting will take place towards the end of September 2020. As a result of the social distancing
requirements, the meeting will be held by a virtual arrangement. Further details on the arrangements for our Annual General
Meeting will be available on the Trust’s website by the beginning of September.
At 5pm on Sunday join the nation for a countrywide
“Clap for carers” #ThankYouTogether
Website www.hdft.nhs.uk
Contact - Elaine Culf
Corporate Affairs and Membership Manager
Foundation Trust Office
Harrogate District Hospital, Trust HQ,
Strayside Wing, Lancaster Park Road,
Harrogate, HG2 7SX
Tel: 01423 5554432
Email: hdft.membership@nhs.net
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