14/08/2014 BBC Wales Today

other news on the BBC News Channel, and on our website, but that is all

for now. Ruth Lewis has deep concerns

about her late husband's healthcare. Now calls for those who have private

treatment to have the same rights The overall A-Level pass rate is

down, but Wales narrows the gap with

England. I am going to Sheffield University.

I did not think I would do it but they did.

A court is told how charity boss Naz Malik used the organisation's

limited funds to pay for his wife's life insurance.

Prices continue to rise but the demand for new homes is slowing.

It is plain sailing here as yet another world-class boating

competition comes to Cardigan Bay. Who do you complain to when the

healthcare you receive goes wrong? Tonight there are calls

for those who pay for private healthcare to be given

the same rights as NHS patients. At the moment if you are treated

on the NHS you can turn to the Ombudsman who will investigate

independently and impartially. But that is not the case

for private patients. With many patients now opting

for private treatment, the Welsh India Pollock has this

exclusive report. rugby player and jazz musician.

Peter Lewis from Pontarddulais led a full and happy life.

But in 2010 he needed knee replacement surgery and because of a

long waiting list on the NHS he was advised to go to the private Spire

Hospital in Cardiff After being discharged from hospital he became

unwell and was rushed into his local hospital for a blood transfusion.

But Peter never recovered and passed away.

Although he had other medical problems, his wife Ruth believes

there were failures in the care her husband received at Spire Hospital.

She's been pursuing a complaint against the hospital

and surgeon who operated on her husband but more than three

and a half years on from Peter's death, it is still not resolved.

It is as if time has stood still. I am overwhelmed with the complaint

process and with reliving the concerns and fears I had at the

time. Each time a letter report comes through, you go back to square

one and you live it again. It torments you.

death, it is still not resolved. There are

around 130 registered private healthcare providers in Wales,

offering services from cosmetic surgery to mental healthcare.

The organisation that represents them says the complaints procedure

its robust and is similar to the process given to NHS patients.

They were not believe an independent sector will look properly and

investigate properly any of their own members. They want something

independent. the process given to NHS patients.

As it stands the independent sector is supposed to investigate itself.

In a statement Spire Hospital says its saddened by Peter Lewis' death

and the welfare of patients is their top priority.

Managers have been in close contact with Ruth Lewis to

help resolve her concerns, but it would be inappropriate to

comment further until their investigation is completed.

Now Wales' Ombudsman charged with answering complaints about the NHS

agrees change is needed. Well, I think it's really important

that any investigation system is impartial, so we should be

investigating to make sure that we get to the nub of the problem

and that no one can turn around and accuse anyone of having bias.

The Welsh Government says it has no current plans to review the role

of the Ombudsman. As Ruth shares memories of happier

times with her grandchildren, her battle for answers

about what went wrong will go on. Thousands of students across Wales

have been getting their A-level results and for the first time

in five years, the number of people here achieving the highest

A-level grades has risen. Wales has also narrowed the gap with

England but the overall pass rate in Wales

has fallen slightly. Our Education Correspondent Arwyn

Jones reports. It is the culmination of the best

part of 15 years of education. It is the culmination of the best

were some neighbour -- nervous faces across schools and colleges today.

Students here mostly celebrated their success. For all that hard

work to pay off is the best feeling in the world. It was really good. I

am going to Sheffield University. I got an a in maths and they did not

think I would do it. The number of pupils gaining a Stargate was up to

6.7% this year. There has also been an increase in those getting top

grades, ending four years of steady decline. But the proportion getting

the top rate has fallen slightly. I am very pleased this morning but we

are seeing a good incremental progress across the board in terms

of results. We are heading in the right direction. And some very

important elements of that show progress in the right direction.

These two had the grades they were hoping for. They also refused any

claim that exams are getting easier. I did not do them years ago so maybe

they are getting easier. But you have to work hard to get the top

grade. I agree. The exams are still hard. We did not do them years ago

so maybe they were harder for top but they would still say to get the

top grade, you have to work really hard.

top grade, you have to work really outperform boys apart from at the

highest grade with just over 98% outperform boys apart from at the

getting a start to the grades. Boys are only a head of girls at the very

top grade. This is a feature of England and Wales. It seems a

permanent feature also I am sure schools and colleges are very much

aware of this. Every effort is made to our strategies which to promote

the outcomes for boys. Pupils celebrated success, throughout with

more pupils chose to study chemistry, economics and history.

For the first time in over 50 years, there has been a drop in the numbers

getting the top grade in England for top our students are catching up.

Wales is now on the right track. Plenty of reasons for these students

to celebrate tonight. Welcome to Swansea University and the clearing

to celebrate tonight. Welcome to department. Students

to celebrate tonight. Welcome to phoning up this centre to confirm

spaces and others have been phoning in case they have done better than

they have not done as well as they hoped but can they still get on the

course. hoped but can they still get on the

are still going. On hoped but can they still get on the

the man in charge. Just in hoped but can they still get on the

today? It has been extremely busy put up it has

today? It has been extremely busy ever. In terms of the standards and

qualities of the applications, are you still accepting the same kind of

grades you have over the last few you still accepting the same kind of

years or is the demand going down Chris Knight the demand is still

there and it is still very high. We know that today as well as the

A-level results coming in, we have seen the Welsh baccalaureate

successes coming in with more people sitting those exams and passing

them. What do you see in terms of the quality of applications coming?

We are seeing an increase in applications which include the Welsh

baccalaureate. What we are seeing is very good. The Welsh Government pays

the majority of these for the Welsh students at you do then rely on

English students coming in with ?9,000 fees. How is that working

out? We are a UK based organisation. We are happy to see increases from

both our domiciles. We are seeing a lot of incentives being offered,

tablet computers, membership of gymnasiums, are you taking part in

that? Now, we have focused on the key issues for students in terms of

accommodation, financial support packages and the academic support

packages and the overall satisfaction. Thank you very much

for your time this evening. Students and prospective A-level student will

be celebrating this evening. If you hours left for these on their shift.

The man who killed five-year-old April Jones is seeking compensation

for injuries after he was slashed on the face by a fellow inmate.

Mark Bridger was jailed for life in May last year for murder, and

BBC Wales understands the Ministry of Justice is contesting the claim

Today's heavy rain has caused flash flooding in many parts of Wales.

Sandbags have been requested to save some properties from the rising

water, while rail services between Radyr and Pontypridd

have been suspended because of a landslip near Taffs Well.

A woman died on the M4 this morning, after she was hit while walking

The woman, who hasn't been named was struck by a lorry at Llangyfelach

There were five mile delays on the eastbound carriageway of the M4

A jury has heard how a charity was in financial difficulty at exactly

the same time as its chief executive was making arrangements

for the organisation to pay for a life assurance policy for his wife.

Nasir Malik is accused of behaving dishonestly by getting the All

Wales Ethnic Minority Association to cover a personal expense.

Cemlyn Davies was at Swansea Crown Court.

The all Wales are like a nasty association was set up in 2000 with

a few to promoting equality. Census figures showed that the percentage

of the Welsh publishing coming from ethnic minorities rose from just

over 2% in 2001 to 4.4% ten years later. The charity 's objectives

including developing the skills of communities, producing educational

materials and raising awareness of discrimination. But in early 2008,

it was in financial difficulty with the treasured telling Swansea Crown

Court some members of staff were told their contracts would not be

renewed. Others were asked to take a pay cut. The Chief Executive was

making enquiries about a life assurance policy which was

eventually taken out for his wife. The Julie has heard how that was

paid dishonestly by monthly direct debit payments from the charities

bank accounts over a period of four years. His salary at the time was

more than ?52,000. He claims the life assurance policy was in fact

part of his pension arrangement. The is also accused of fraudulently

using the sound blank cheques in order to reduce his personal debts.

He claims the payment totalling nearly ?12,000 was to cover

expenses. In court today, the finance director said both cheques

were written without the appropriate expenses documents being provided

first. He added one of the cheques was taken without his knowledge.

Cross examining the witness, the barrister suggested he was not

telling the whole truth. He denies three counts of fraud and the trial

continues. They've swapped the warm climate of

Thailand for Wales. Young sailors from across the

globe take on the elements and each other in the waters off

Pwllheli. And dramatic weather

in places today. Torrential rain, hail,

thunder and flash flooding. Demand for new homes

in Wales is beginning to slow down, That's according to

the latest report from the Royal But they also say house prices here

are continuing to rise and there's strong demand

from first-time buyers. The average house in Wales is now

around ?140,000 but in the capital, homes cost significantly more

as Nick Palit reports. The buoyancy of the housing market,

as ever, depends on which part of the country you are in, and what

kind of property you are selling. Cardiff remains the most expensive

part of Wales, where the average house is now in excess of ?213,000.

We have had a message from the surveyors and they would like to do

a survey. house is now in excess of ?213,000.

But even at that price, this estate agency says demand

by first time buyers is exceeding the supply of three bedroom semis

in the Welsh capital. It is the aspiration of a forbidden

to all a property. People would like to move up to purchasing and

implement position is improving and that is helping.

in the Welsh capital. And these are the kind of

properties that are selling well. Terraced homes at Penarth

in the Vale of Glamorgan which, at around ?180,000,

are around the UK average price. These have all been refurbished and

that the envelope scheme which the council did a few years ago. There

are a lot of first-time buyers looking for this sort of property.

Normally, these were just fly out through the door and be sold within

a few weeks. are around the UK average price.

But what about the other end of the market with luxury homes like

this close to a million pounds? This is a sort after type of

property. You have the tariffs on the front and a lot of character on

the inside with wooden panelling and eight nice garden and a real quality

house in probably around 1900. Common-sense says if the bottom end

of the market is moving, it will move through the various price

ranges and those people who are now selling at ?700,000 will be the

people who can afford the houses at 900,000 or ?1 million. At the

moment, they have not got to this end of the market.

this close to a million pounds? And in neighbouring Cardiff,

that's already started to happen. Taking place at that level but it

has not happened for the last four years.

that's already started to happen. Overall the survey by the RICS says

prices are projected to rise by around 2.6% over the next 12 months.

Coupled with continued low interests rates, estate agents here say

the recovery in the housing market is now well and truly established.

A schoolgirl at the centre of an alleged murder plot against

a teacher will not be charged in connection with the matter.

The teenager was 14 when she was arrested at

Cwmcarn High School on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

Gwent Police say another girl from Newbridge, arrested at the same

Demonstrators from the No NATO Newport group have

apologised for planning a camp in the Pill area of Newport

People there expressed unhappiness at the plans to use playing fields

Tredegar Park will now host the camp instead.

The Television presenter and adventurer Bear Grylls,

who's seeking planning permission to build a harbour at St Tudwal's

island off Abersoch, says he's come-up with a compromise.

Mr Grylls says he's now altering the plans after visiting

the island with officers from Natural Resources Wales.

Last year, he removed a large slide off the island after being

It is a spectacular area and we would open to threaten the

conservation. It is great to spend time appear with the local authority

and Natural Resources Wales. I've seen -- as soon as you see people

face-to-face, you can come up with a compromise plan. It keeps them

happy. Hundreds of young sailors

from across the globe have been fighting it out

in the waters off Pwllheli as part The topper class sees under 18s

in small dinghys complete It's a world class location

and it's seen some world class Pwllheli is about to get a brand

new multi millionpound sailing academy but this event is already

proof that it's a cut above. After a few days they're sailing had

to wait for the weather, the conditions were perfect for three

races getting the best junior sailors against the elements and

each other. It is really competitive. Last year was not quite

as competitive because the fleet was not as strong as this year it has

been really good. It is not just a platform for Welsh entrants. The 150

young sailors from different countries including Thailand and

South Africa taking place, for this week, these are international

waters. These two come from Thailand. They were taught sailing

by a charity. Clothing and equipment has been donated by friends and even

rival sailors. The water is warm and suddenly they have come here and

having to put all these clothes on. The water is very cold. It was a

shock for them. The week is almost over and wants the prizes have been

awarded, the visitors will drift away. But they will be a sailing

showcase on the weekend to promote the link between the marina and the

town. It is not a closed event. We have been concentrating a lot on the

top as for the last couple of weeks. They will be leaving on Friday night

after the prize-giving. The want to show what we have two the people of

the town and area. This time next year, a new national sailing Academy

will be able to train sailors Fat -- from far as wide. We have three of

the international toppers behind us now. The father of one man came up

with the design. He wanted to get young people into sailing and he

wanted to design a boat which was low cost and easy to produce and it

was a big experiment. It was designed to prove a new technology

was a big experiment. It was which is injection moulding back in

the 1970s. I presume you were a guinea pig? In the first boat was

built, I was beginning picked that went out in all weathers and tested

the boat prior to the fibreglass version being moulded. It is a

popular boat with youngsters. What is the appeal M it is really that

the boat takes people from the age of about nine or ten from optimists

at two the age of about nine or ten from optimists

graduate into lasers. It is a pathway class which is helping

produce the next Olympic talent. When you see an event like this,

world-class web youngsters taking part, what comes to mind could Mike

it is wonderful to see people from all around the world coming to ship

the experience. It is emotional because you see young people who are

mentally fit and physically fit showing real endurance and

self-sufficiency. Thank you very much. If you mark races to come

tomorrow and that will be the competition over with for another

year. Federico Fernandez should become a Swansea City player in the

next few days. The club have agreed a fee believed to be around ?7

million. He is due in Swansea soon for a medical. Hopefully a very good

player. He brings that pedigree where he has been playing for

Natalie and at the top level and obviously for Argentina, he played

at the World Cup for the P is obviously for Argentina, he played

good age for us. He is a good size and a good footballer.

good age for us. He is a good size Champions The New Saints host Bangor

City when the season gets underway next

Friday night. According to one opposing manager,

TNS, who've won the last three titles,

will remain the team to beat. They are full-time and that gives

them an advantage over everyone else. Everyone else is chasing.

Anybody else could finish third or bottom next year.

Rugby and the draw has been made for the new Champions Cup which replaces

The Scarlets face a tough opening match at European Champions Toulon.

The Ospreys host Italian side Treviso with the matches

In the Challenge Cup, the Cardiff Blues open against Grenoble and

Cricket. In the one-day cup match against Warwickshire, Glamorgan were

batting first. Rain meant the opponents was that the revised

target. Warwickshire won by seven wickets.

Some parts of Wales has seen some torrential rain this afternoon.

Derek, how's it looking? Torrential rain, hail, thunder

Derek, how's it looking? as low as 10 Celsius.

Required date tomorrow with fewer showers. Thank you very much. A

reminder of the main headlines. There are calls for patients who pay

for both attempted to be given the same rights as NHS patients. If you

are not happy with NHS treatment, you can turn to the public services

ombudsman to investigate. That is not the case for private patients.

Students across Wales have been getting their A-level results. For

the first time in five years, the number of people here achieving the

highest grades has risen. The overall pass rate has fallen

slightly. On tomorrow's programme,

the start of a series of special reports from Flanders

where a new memorial is being unveiled to the soldiers from Wales

who fought in the First World War. We'll be speaking to those who

campaigned for it and hearing from others who're making the journey

to Belgium for the ceremony. More on that tomorrow. We will have

an update at eight o'clock and after the BBC News at ten. Thank you for

watching. Good evening.