Warning this winter could put "significant strain" on NHS in Harrogate
The Academy of Medical Sciences has brought together 29 leading experts to forecast what the biggest health problems will be - and how best to head them off.
There's a warning that this winter will bring big health challenges for the NHS across Harrogate district.
It's as The Academy of Medical Sciences is bringing together 29 leading experts to forecast what the biggest health problems will be as we make our way to a second winter with Covid-19.
Dr Matt Shephard, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Clinical Director at Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust, has warned that it is "unknown" what will happen over winter, but they're preparing for a difficult one.
He said: "We're still learning about the virus and it is keeping it on our toes. The vaccine programme is doing absolutely what we would hope it to do but viruses can change so what we don't know is whether the Covid virus does that.
"What other viruses might be around could impact the service. So because we've all not been out and about and not mixed as much so other viruses that weren't as prevalent last year might start to take a hold this winter.
"We were all really fearful of what last winter would bring and how a second wave of Covid would affect us. The second wave was more significant than the first because there were winter pressures on top of that.
"It's absolutely vital that we continue to prepare just in case anything changes like if the virus changes or if the vaccine becomes less effective.
"We're certainly preparing ourselves for another challenging winter."