Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) was granted its licence as a Foundation Trust on 1st January 2005 and is the principal provider of hospital services to the population of Harrogate and Rural District and also to the residents of Ripon and Wetherby and surrounding area. This represents a catchment population of 183,000 that covers an area of 533 square miles with an annual budget of around £87m.
The 396 bed hospital has an Emergency Department, extensive out-patient facilities, Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), Coronary Care Unit (CCU), plus five main theatres. There is also a 20 place day surgery unit with two further theatres. The Macmillan Dales Unit provides assessment and treatment, principally for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer or dermatological conditions. Dedicated purpose built facilities are also provided on site for Radiology, Pharmacy, Pathology, Endoscopy and Therapy Services.
The organisation provides a full range of general acute secondary care hospital services as well as a range of community therapy and midwifery services through a Clinical Directorate structure. These include Planned Surgery, Orthopaedics, Anaesthetics, Cancer Services, Specialised Medicine, Emergency Care, Rehabilitation and Older People’s Services, Children’s Services, Pathology, Radiology, Pharmacy and Women’s Services.
Primary care, community services and mental health services are provided by North Yorkshire and York PCT (before PCT merger it was Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT). HDFT also acts as the first contact for access to more specialist services through alliance based working with neighbouring hospitals. Where possible, these extended services are provided through visiting consultants or alternatively by patients travelling to hospitals in York or Leeds.
The range of hospital services that are provided in partnership with York Hospitals Trust, include Breast & Cervical Screening, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), GUM (Genitourinary Medicine) / Sexual Health Services, Neurophysiology and Non Surgical Oncology.
In addition, HDFT has a number of established clinical links with Leeds Teaching Hospitals. These include Coronary Heart Disease, Neurology, Plastic Surgery, Specialist Paediatrics and access to specialist Cancer Services.
Links have also been strengthened with the former Leeds North East PCT, providing further services in Orthopaedics and General Surgery and an outpatient clinic for ENT services at Chapeltown Health Centre, Leeds.
As one of 52 foundation trusts, HDFT currently has over 13,000 Members. The diverse Board of Governors continue to be heavily involved in the work of the organisation. Member engagement and feedback activity remains of great benefit to the trust.
Clinical Business Unit structure
Each Clinical Business Unit (CBU) is headed by a Clinical Director (usually a Consultant) who works with the CBU Management team to undertake the day-to-day provision of services. Each CBU comprises a number of services headed by an Assistant Director. Assistant Directors report to the Clinical Director of the CBU who in turn report to the Medical Director.
CBU’s receive operational support from finance, human resources, planning and information representatives.