Angela Schofield: Steps to stop spread of Covid-19

The teams throughout the Trust are focused on supporting patients and each other at this very difficult time.

The Board of Directors and Council of Governors are full of admiration and gratitude for their selfless and absolute professionalism.

We have managed to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with national guidance and above, however the concerns about whether the supplies will arrive in time do continue. To date they have. The NHS organisations in West Yorkshire and Harrogate are working closely together and help with mutual aid for equipment when necessary.

Harrogate District Hospital has been reorganised into Red (Covid-19) and Green (Non-Covid-19) streams for the wards, emergency department and critical care. One of the wards has been converted into a 35 bed critical care unit which allows our usual Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) to focus on patients who do not have Covid-19.

Colleagues from the Trust have been helping with the establishment of the Nightingale Yorkshire and Humber hospital, which is at the Convention Centre in Harrogate. This has been officially opened this week.

Our teams have particularly (but not exclusively) supporting with pathology, radiology, IT, meals from Harrogate Integrated Facilities and management of the whole enterprise as the HDFT Chief Executive, Steve Russell, has been seconded to be its Chief Executive under the overall oversight of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Much of the focus in the news is understandably on hospital services in the NHS. Colleagues in Community Services and services for healthy children are also having to adapt to protect their patients and themselves.

This involves undertaking some calls over the phone or by video. In certain circumstances they also need to wear protective equipment when visiting patients.

There are two very clear messages I would like to share with you. While we are still in lockdown, please follow the government’s instructions. These protect members of the public and colleagues throughout the NHS and social care.

The most important thing remains for the public to continue to follow expert advice and stay at home - reducing the number of people who get the virus, and therefore the need for NHS treatment.

The second message – if you or your family or friends need your local health services, please do not delay. We are seeing greatly reduced attendances at hospital and are very concerned that some people who should be seeking help aren’t doing so. We are here for everyone.

Finally, we continue to be overwhelmed by messages of support, gifts and offers of help. We are receiving these through our Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity and our Volunteers service.

Thank you to everyone who has been and continues to support us. It is very much appreciated.

The response from our local communities has been incredible, everyone has pulled together in these testing times.

The amount of donations you have all so kindly sent our way has been truly heart-warming. From local businesses to individual members of the public, we cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity.

It truly shows what an amazing community we have. Thank you.

Angela Schofield, Chairman of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust