18/10/2013 East Midlands Today

by Islamist extremists. That's all from the BBC News at Six. So it's

goodbye from me, This is East Midlands Today.

Tonight, MPs demand action to reduce the risk of fatal hospital blunders.

Why have people got two died to bring things in? It seems Matt. Also

tonight, facing the axe. This fire station.

Plus the school sports award set up in memory of a young teenager

stabbed to death. And I find out how robots are being

used more in education. Join us later in the programme!

Welcome to Friday's programme. First tonight, the chairman of an

influential group of MPs is worried that not enough is being done to

prevent a repeat of a hospital blunder which killed a

Nottinghamshire teenager. Wayne Jowett, who was 18, died at

Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre 12 years ago. Tragically, an

anti`cancer drug was mistakenly put into his spine instead of a vein.

Stephen Dorrell who heads the Commons Health Select Committee will

raise the issue in Parliament next week. Here's our health

correspondent to tell us more. Wayne Jowett was in remission from

leukaemia when the fatal blunder happened at Notitngham's Queen's

Medical Centre. That hospital now uses fail safe syringe connectors to

prevent a repeat. Most others aren't. It's thought 90 out of the

160 acute trusts in England still don't use them. Now there are

growing calls for answers. Wayne was not the first. His family

hope he will be the last to die from this. Tonight, his mother is pleased

the Health Select Committee will probe by these devices are not in

use in all NHS hospitals. It seems forever. It just seems to be taking

far too long. To get these things moving. Why have people got to die?

To bring things in? It just seems mad. This MP has been persuaded to

raise this issue by the man who led the enquiry into Wayne's death.

Clinicians have the right to use the equipment they want to use. I agree

with that. Ever clinicians doesn't use a device or has not tried it,

how can you possibly know whether it is safe or not? My view is

clinicians should engage with this immediately.

Wayne's family have campaigned tirelessly to prevent a repeat. We

have been told that the government are aware of the concerns and they

are working with the NHS to come up with proposals.

Next tonight, opposition is growing to plans that would see a number of

fire stations in Derbyshire close. The county's Fire Service says it

needs to make dramatic changes due to a 40% cut in its budget. Our

reporter has been to one community fighting to save its fire station.

The children's TV classic, trumpet and. But is it a quaint and outdated

concept for every town to have its own fire station? Pugh, Pugh, Barney

McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub. This fire station is under threat of

closure. This man wrote about the story in the village newspaper.

Costs ?81,000 every year to keep this fire station running. That

doesn't seem to be a tremendous amount of money. There are plans to

reduce the number of fire stations by a third and cut full`time posts

by a quarter. The chief promises it will may have a minimal impact on

response times. This woman was grateful for a fast response to a

chimney fire at her home. They arrived in less than five minutes.

If that was a fire brigade from Derby, it would take them at least

half an hour to come here. Residents here and another communities have

launched campaigns against closures. I think is disgusting. There are

lots of places nearby that need protecting. We are proud of the fire

station. 0 protecting. We are proud of the fire

station. Pride earned by the role it played in 1989. They were first on

the scene at this year disaster. But this station could soon receive its

final call out. Still to come, a warning of more

traffic problems in Nottingham. Could it be a Black Monday for back

to work commuters? Plus, why are more of our taking up

Mandarin? A nine`year`old pupil in Leicester

has been given an award for sporting excellence in memory of his former

teacher who was killed last month. 20``year`old Antoin Akpom died after

being stabbed in the street. Teachers at the school where he

taught hope this new sportsmanship award will inspire pupils. Our

reporter has this exclusive report. It gives me great pleasure to give

this award to Jade and Patel in primary for. Nine`year`old Jaden

became the first pupil to win this award. Popular teacher, Antoin

Akpom, died last month after being stabbed. It made me feel happy

because I was representing the family. Because Antoin Akpom has

lost his life, a would like to think he still remembers me. Antoin Akpom

lived for sport. With his best friend, a fellow PE teacher, they

set up a sports business. The motto was changing children's lives

through sport. I am sure he would be smiling down, full of joy. This is a

great way for his legacy to live on. Best friends, business partners,

they love each other as brothers. Jewel was by Antoin Akpom's side

moments after he was stabbed. To see a man like this bleeding and dying,

basically, that is something that will never leave my memory because

it is something that should never be seen from such a great man. Pupils,

teachers and Antoin Akpom's family hope this award will help inspire

others and keep Antoin Akpom in their memory.

Three men have appeared before magistrates charged with the murder

of a man in Nottingham. The body of Simon Hay, who was 47, was

discovered in a flat on Villa Street in Beeston on Sunday afternoon. Two

men from Beeston and another man from Cotgrave were charged last

night. They have been remanded in custody to appear at Crown Court on

Monday. The BBC has learned that dozens of

parents have asked Derby City Council about moving their children

away from the Al`Madinah free school. 67 enquiries have been made

to the council by parents interested in taking their children out of the

school. 33 have made formal applications to put their children

elsewhere. The figures pre`date yesterday's Ofsted report which said

the school was failing in all areas and was dysfunctional.

A footbridge has been officially opened at a Nottinghamshire level

crossing where three people have been killed in recent years. Network

Rail has spent ?1.5 million installing the new structure,

following calls to improve safety at Moor Bridge. Last November,

13`year`old Lindsey Inger died after being hit by a tram on the crossing

which links Bestwood and Hucknall. I feel this is a good thing.

Hopefully it will save other peoples lives. If it had been done in the

first place, she would still be here. We have mixed emotions.

Hopefully tragedies will never happen again here.

A grieving father has appealed to the parents of horse riders to

ensure that their children wear protective clothing, including

inflatable air jackets. Robin Woodward was speaking after his

daughter Aimee was fatally injured when the horse she was riding rolled

on top of her. She was not wearing modern, body protection.

Memories are no all this family have left. Aimee's home in Derbyshire

contains treasured photographs of the 22`year`old who died falling

from her horse. Her father says he was shocked to learn that there is

no legislation for a riding schools to wear protection. You need to get

the best protective gear you can possibly by. Nobody else will do it

for you. You 0 possibly by. Nobody else will do it

for you. You are on your own. Inflatable `` inflatable jackets

that deploy like airbags cost ?400. But this family think they are worth

that. They are attached to the saddle. When riders fall, the airbag

inflates. They have definitely saved lives. It is something that you

don't think can happen to you. But it can. It has happened to me. I

don't want it to happen to another child, another parent. Don't want

them to be in my position. `` I don't want.

Three men have appeared before magistrates charged with the murder

of a man in Nottingham. The body of Simon Hay, who was 47, was

discovered in a flat on Villa Street in Beeston on Sunday afternoon. Two

men from Beeston and another man from Cotgrave were charged last

night. They have been remanded in custody to appear at Crown Court on

Monday. Legionella has been found at parts

of one of our hospitals. No patients have been put at risk. Hospital

administrators say they are dealing with the situation.

Drivers are being warned to prepare for more disruption in the coming

weeks, especially commuters who travel between Nottingham and Derby.

From Sunday, there'll be works on the A52 at Bardills roundabout in

Nottingham which will last two weeks.

Rush hour this morning at this roundabout. There are warnings that

traffic here could get worse over the next two week, as work to move

cables begins, in preparation for a new transport hub. All approaches to

the roundabout will be reduced to one lane. There will be no access

onto the A52 carriageway for junction five of the M1. Three other

major transport projects are happening in Nottingham. The tram

extension will extend the existing network. Also the improvements to

the ring road. This will affect journey times. We are getting the

work done as quickly as we can. We hope to get it done within two

weeks. Please plan ahead and try to think of different routes or

different times you could do your journey. ?750 million is being spent

to improve the transport network in Nottingham. With the results are

unlikely to be felt for some time, drivers must prepare for disruption

for now. Our reporter is at one of the

Nottingham's busiest junctions for us. Why is this work happening now?

Well, the council has tried to minimise the impact 0

Well, the council has tried to minimise the impact of this latest

disruption by coinciding with the half term holiday. It is advising

travelling `` it is advising drivers travelling to use different routes.

We have seen plenty of traffic this evening, which is only likely to get

worse in the weeks to come. The work on that roundabout games on Sunday.

You have been warned! Still to come: In sport, a lovely

mover. The Forest midfielder who is as famous for his celebrations as he

is for his goal`scoring. Is it time for our children to learn

Mandarin? Some are calling for changes in the classroom as China

continues its transformation into a global economic powerhouse.

Currently it is thought only a small number of schools in our region

teach Mandarin to GCSE level. All this week, our reporter has been

looking at this region's links with China. Here's his last report.

Mandarin lessons at this academy in Nottinghamshire. The GCSE course

started in January. More people should study Mandarin because they

say it is the language of the future. With China being such a big

economic powerhouse, it would be good to use it. It is one of only a

small number of schools in our region to teach Mandarin. 600 fewer

people studied GCSE Mandarin this year than in 2010. In China, English

is a compulsory class. Children start to learn the language in

kindergarten. It is depressing that so few people are studying this, but

things are changing. Forward`thinking schools are

introducing Mandarin. We are sure that others will follow. We want to

make sure that children are equipped for the world of work. Next year,

they are to strengthen Mandarin teaching with a trip to China.

I believe you can speak some Mandarin?

One of my favourite words means thank you.

Now it is time for the sport. First big news from Nottingham

Forest. The club have confirmed in the last few hours that manager

Billy Davies has signed a new contract keeping him at the city

Ground until 2017. It means a four year extension to his current deal

and is significant because it's rare for managers to get lengthy deals

nowadays. Chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi said tonight he is looking forward

to working with Billy for many years to come and made clear when he first

became chairman that Davies was part of his long term plans.

Billy will be with us like Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. I

mean that. His team are in action against

Bournemouth tomorrow. This week midfielder Henri Lansbury went back

to school to teach the pupils at Saint Edmund Campion about his life

as a footballer and a bit about his dance moves too.

Here's the midfield maestro that is the fans favourite. Instead of

answering my questions, some pint`size pundits put him on the

spot. I think we have a chance of going to the Premier League. It is a

hard championship. We can only do our best each week. He knows what it

takes to get there. Twice promoted from the championship, he believes

this Nottingham Forest side can do it as well. You can't drop

concentration for two minutes in the game or the other team will score.

Consistency is the main thing. So far, life is sweet. They have a

great team spirit. I think that helps in the championship. We have a

good team spirit and we all gel. He has scored for Mac goals so far. His

target is ten. He has a new goal celebration. I am just trying some

new celebrations. We try to copy music videos. My friend has quite a

few up his sleeve. Years teaching me some. Is a promise of some dance

moves in future two possibly! In future? Possibly!

At Derby County Steve McClaren has made his first new signing. Striker

Simon Dawkins has joined on a three month loan from Spurs. He's been

training with the Rams and a deal was agreed to keep him at Pride Park

as cover for injured players. Now, onto Leicester City where

20`year`old defender Liam Moore has just been given the Football

League's Young Player of the Month award. It is just the latest stage

in a remarkable rise for Moore who is Leicester through and through. I

went to see him to talk about the past and the future.

I have been lucky here. I have always enjoyed my football here.

Many young footballers don't get to travel such a long road. It is

frightening how many people I have made friends with here and then you

don't hear from them. There are good players who I thought would go far.

It shows you how tough it is to make it in the English league. I am very

fortunate. What makes you stand out? I don't know, really. I have always

worked hard at my game. With hard work comes some luck. I have had

some nice breaks. When you get them, it is down to you to take them.

Starting every game this season, scoring his first Leicester goal and

now this. Does this award matter to you? It is very nice. It is

something I can keep forever. It is an achievement. If it is personal

success or team success, I will always choose team success. Football

is an individual and team sport? Definitely. If the team is playing

well, it makes your job as an individual easier. Recognition can

sometimes bring pressure. You are quite laid back about everything? If

you can't handle pressure, what is the point in playing football? That

could be 70,000 people at Wembley watching you. You need to take

everything in your stride and go from there.

Other football, Notts County are in League One action tonight. They are

off to Swindon. While Mansfield Town have a more conventional Saturday

kick off, but a long trip. Away at Torquay.

Leicester Tigers are at home tonight in the Heineken Cup to Italian side

Treviso, not the pushovers they once were.

Nottingham Panthers host the Continental cup this weekend. First

game in 40 minutes. Loads going on this weekend!

Next tonight, robots. We may not quite be at the stage where they

make the tea and clean our cars. But East Midlands researchers say

interaction between humans and robots is proving very effective in

education. Both of Nottingham's universities are carrying out

studies into how people with learning disabilities can benefit

from a bit of automated encouragement.

Michael is using symbols and voice commands to instruct these robots.

They can even dance. MUSIC the universities in Nottingham, along

with some school pupils, have been discovering that communication

skills can improve when they are used as educational tools. Using

robots for communication skills is far greater than the kind of

engagement you get in normal classroom activity. That is

incredibly important because there is no deep learning in the students

through that engagement. They can think, they can walk, they can talk

and they can dance. These two cost between 8000 and ?9,000 each. It is

novel and motivating enough for the students that have to put in a lot

of effort to even press a switch. Technology is becoming more and more

a part of everyday life. No doubt robot and human interaction is

something to be developed further. ROBOT: Simon Ward, BBC East Midlands

today. I was going to say that! Quite surprising temperatures this

weekend. Even night`time temperatures across the south of the

country are not falling lower than 11 degrees. My old for the next few

days. We have blustery showers. We have some rain on the way tonight.

We have some showers earlier. It is quite patchy, but it will still keep

us very wet into the early hours of tomorrow. Night`time temperatures

falling now lower than 11 or 12. A mild and windy night. We are going

to also see a damp start to the day. Gradually, some like this ``

brightness will start to appear. Temperatures tomorrow reaching 17

degrees. The wind will be a big feature. Strong and gusty southerly

wind. On Sunday, the wind comes from the South. Still quite a few showers

around. Some of those will be quite heavy. There is a chance of thunder

on Saturday. On Monday, low`pressure controls the weather. On Monday,

some rain across the South. Although it will be mild, it will also be wet

at times. Now, before we go, we would just

like to blow our trumpet a little bit because, last night East

Midlands Today won an award, this award, for the second year running.

Very handsome it is too. So, what is it for? Well, you may remember this

little chap from earlier in the programme. Darth here is going to

explain what it is. ROBOT: congratulations for winning the

award! That is right. It is the award for Best News Programme from

the Royal Television Society in the Midlands. And we are all dead

chuffed. On that self`congratulatory note, we will say goodbye. Have a

great weekend. ROBOT: goodbye, everyone!