11/03/2014 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today, with Dominic Heale and me, Anne Davies.

Tonight: The ambulance delaxs that led to the death of a patient.

There were holed up in hosphtal care, incomplete medical notes, and

a nurse painted a picture of being rushed off her feet.

I saw him take out a knife `nd stab somebody. Coughing up blood.

Putting the pressure on the Chancellor, these homes are being

incinerated in a government scheme to cut rising fuel bills. Why is the

project being scrapped? I mdet one of the biggest babies ever to be

born in the east Midlands. Thank goodness she is an eldphant!

Good evening. First tonight, the ambulancd and

hospital delays that led to the death of a Nottinghamshire lan. A

control room mix`up meant Stewart Maltby's ambulance took fivd hours

when his GP had ordered it to be no longer than two hours. Once in

hospital, it took hours to get fluids into the 64`year`old who was

dehydrated. Boom Our health correspondent Rob Sissons w`s at

today's inquest, held at Nottingham's Council House. Rob why

did the ambulance take so long? It is a question which has dominated

the inquest hearing in Notthngham. The GP said it should be within two

hours, but it was input wrong in the control room, a box wasn't ticked,

which meant it reverted to ` four`hour response. The doctor said

if it didn't come within two hours, it should be upscaled to and

emergency. It was five hours before the ambulance arrived. Mr M`ltby was

dehydrated. It was six hours before he got to the Queen's Medic`l

Centre. Then, 14 hours before he got the fluid he needed.

What improvements have been made at the ambulance service?

We had during the inquest today in cross examination from Paul Balen,

the solicitor for the familx, that there have been lessons learned The

computer software has been changed so that now, those responses are

given within two hours, and the ambulance service is getting to more

of them within that time. What happened when Mr Maltbx finally

arrived at the Queen's Medical Centre?

At the Queen's Medical Centre, the chronology is difficult to follow

because of gaps in medical notes. We heard today from a nurse who painted

a picture of being rushed off her feet on the hospital ward, `nd acute

ward where Mr Maltby was behng looked after. She admitted with

hindsight not enough fluid checks were done, she didn't write enough

in the notes because she wotld rather look after patients than

right. We heard from a doctor who said they thought there werdn't

enough doctors or staff on the ward. What lessons have the hospital

learnt? We have heard things have bden

changed on that hospital ward. We also know that there have now been

implemented verbal handovers rather than Britain ones as in the past. Mr

Maltby died in November 2012. We will hear from more medical experts

from the Queen's Medical Centre tomorrow.

Next tonight, teenagers at five secondary schools across Lehcester

get a stark warning about the horrors of knife crime. In `

hard`hitting police road show, students have been warned they could

be jailed for four years for simply carrying a knife in public. More

details from our reporter, Victoria Hicks.

Knife crime isn't a game. That is the message being taught to

teenagers across the city. Leicestershire Police recorded 41

knife`related offences in the past year. It is a crime some sttdents at

this college have witnessed first`hand.

I looked out of my window, `nd I saw one guy pulling out a long knife and

stab someone. This guy was on the floor, coughing up blood. This young

offender was 16 when he was involved in knife crime. I know someone who

was found with a knife and was excluded.

We cannot identify this student because of his age.

He has pulled out a blade. For me, I did not know that anything was going

to happen. I am part of it, I am associated with knife crime. Before

I know, he took the phone off him, and he's walking away. I was not a

big enough person to walk away. I was not a big enough person to say,

no, and stop the crime. I think we all know that is an

offensive weapon. Here, at Crown Hills, two students

have been permanently excluded from school. Police want to educ`te

teenagers about the consequdnces. It is illegal to carry a knhfe in a

public place, in school, and the penalties range from a cauthon, to a

long custodial sentence of tp to four years.

The police say that knife crime is not prevalent in Leicester, but they

will use a 50,000 volt Taser gun to disarm someone, if they need to

Still to come on the progralme: The hospital making expectant mtms feel

at home. A new birth room has opened at the

Royal Derby today, complete with soft furnishings and sensorx

lighting. Police have released CCTV footage of

the moment a customer bundldd an armed robber out of a Derbyshire

shop. It happened at a stord in Woodville on Thursday evening. The

masked man, dressed in whitd overalls, demanded cash and

cigarettes, threatening a mdmber of staff with a gun. A passer`by, who

entered moments later, pushdd the armed man out of the store. Police

want to trace the robber who, they say, ran away along Swadlincote

Road. Food inspectors say almost half of

the meat they tested in Leicester has failed labelling laws. Ht

follows the discovery of pork in so`called halal lamb burgers, at a

primary school last year. The city council tested more than 100 meat

products sold by local businesses. It says 44% contained meat other

than that labelled, mainly chicken. There was no undeclared pork or

horse meat. Leicester's been ranked among the 20

least affordable cities for house buyers in the UK. Lloyds Bank says

the average home there costs more than six times the average local

salary, making it the 19th lost expensive city for buyers in the

country. However, Derby features in the top 20 most affordable cities,

with the average house pricd just 4.85 times the average salary.

An attempt is being made to rescue an ambitious project to cut domestic

energy bills on one of the country's biggest housing estates. Nottingham

South MP Lilian Greenwood is demanding the government reconsiders

its decision to scrap a multi`million pound scheme to make

homes much warmer. And tonight, there is a hint from the government

of a change of heart. Here's our political editor John Hess.

They have got a lot in common. Both related, both living in simhlar

homes on the same estate. Btt, when it comes to the cost of heating

their homes, there's a big difference. That is how much I owe.

That is how much I have to pay a month. And that's a lot mord than

you're paying at the moment. Katrina Richardson's domesthc fuel

bills are rising. It is really cold. Heating bills

constantly increasing. Her sister`in`law's bill will be

?400 cheaper. That is because her home benefited from a

government`backed insulation scheme on Nottingham's Clifton Est`te.

It stays warmer longer, and the boiler doesn't run for as long

during the day. More than 1,000 homes have had

insulation, but that is cold comfort to the 3,500 homes which have lost

out. Labour MP Lillian Greenwood would like the government to

reinstate the project. She hs raising the problem in Parlhament.

We need serious proposals about how we can ensure that everybodx who has

got one of these solid wall hard to treat homes are able to get it

insulated, because it is good for all of us. Not just those who are

living in those homes, but the country generally if we can save

energy. We can bring energy prices down for everybody.

It is disappointing that we can t do this as well.

In a Parliamentary debate, she won this concession. We are working

closely with Norton on a new bid for our green deal communities. While I

can't announce the results of that, they have put in a robust proposal,

far from being dead and over, the scheme has every reason to believe

it is optimistic. The government is scrapping a levy

which paid for such environlental work.

A BBC investigation has raised fresh concerns about voting fraud in

Derby. Radio Four's File On Four programme has spoken to one man who

says people in the city are pressured into handing over their

postal votes. Conservative Party officials have called on thd police

to investigate the claims. Last year, four Derby women were

convicted of electoral fraud offences. Simon Hare has thd

details. This was the ballot paper at the

centre of last year's vote`rigging scandal in Derby. It had bedn issued

by polling station clerk Nasreen Akhtar, using a different n`me. It

was issued to one of her two nieces. But tonight's File On Four programme

on Radio 4 looks at the widdr issue of voting fraud. It says th`t abuses

of the polling process in some areas of Derby are considered almost

normal. One man, who did not want to be named, described how his mother

had been pressured into handing over her postal vote. They came to the

house, and they asked my mother to vote for them. My mum, not being

able to read English, she dhd not know where to put her cross, so one

of the people put the cross in the box for her. They said that they

would just sign it and take it off her. It was not free choice, it was

more influence, and it was lore to get them to stop coming back. She

gave in. It is them voting for you. They are voting for themselves.

Derby City Council declined to take part in the programme, but ht said

that it has every confidencd in the postal voting system in the city.

The programme also hears from the police unit trying to investigate

further claims of the electoral abuse in Derby. It is allegdd that

the women convicted of voting fraud had been put up to it. Police said

that further inquiries had been met by a wall of silence.

Joining us is Alistair Jones, principal lecturer in polithcs and

public policy, an expert in UK politics, especially nation`l and

local elections. How easy is it to cheat the postal voting system?

It is quite easy to cheat, `ll you need to do, it is not a secret

ballot first of all. Anybodx can apply for a postal vote. Yot might

have your family pressurising you, filling it in on your behalf. Do you

think it should be scrapped? The thing about it is, the government

has tightened up the applic`tion process. There is a process involved

in getting an application, but there can still be family pressurd. It can

be manipulated. On top of that, people claiming to be somebody else

and getting extra votes, we saw the general election with someone

getting 900 fraudulent ballot papers. They got caught before the

election, this was in Radford. If we did get rid of postal voting,

what would replace it? This is meant to help people to vote. There are

arguments that we should trx online voting or boating by text. Lobile

polling stations in supermarkets. Unless you go somewhere specific, it

is always open to influence. Absolutely. Voting is meant to be

secret. You lose that with postal voting. It is meant to be

confidential but every paper is numbered. So that can be chdcked.

What about online voting? One problem is in security, cybdr

security. There is a huge ddbate on that. Even a mobile phone. Xou could

lose your vote in the ether. A new birth centre, which ahms to

give expectant mums the rel`xing atmosphere of a home delivery,

opened today. The midwife`ldd unit at the Royal Derby Hospital has been

decked out with sensory lighting and soft furnishings, to recreate the

experience of a home`birth, but with the reassurance of being in

hospital. Mel Coles had a tour. Just four hours old, this b`by is

contentedly sleeping in her dad s arms in the new Derby birth centre

officially opened this afternoon. Her older brother was born hn the

traditional labour ward a fdw years ago. I think it is really nhce.

There is less equipment arotnd. One`to`one contact with the

midwives. It feels like you are in your own house. Here, I feel more at

home. Last time, it felt more clinical. The birth centre feels a

bit like a hotel. There are four rooms each with an ensuite, and

while the decor is basic, it is not as stark as a hospital ward. If

women who don't need lots of intensive care in labour can use

facilities like this, then they are more likely to have a normal birth,

they are more likely to spe`k positively about their experience.

It has already seen a number increase in women who have opted for

a water birth. But it isn't for everyone. Some pregnancies have

complications and mums need to be monitored. Here, we don't offer

continuous monitoring. One of the benefits of having this within the

labour ward is access to consultants in those problems arise. Muls know

that giving birth is a far cry from a relaxing hotel stay. But the

hospital hopes that here, at least they will receive 5`star trdatment.

Still to come: A new baby that tipped the scales at an eye`watering

98lb. And, what will the weather deliver?

Here's Kaye. It felt like the birth of spring

this week, these have been dmerging all over the place. How far can we

push our luck? All the detahls coming up later.

Time now for the sport. So, what will tonight bring, as our

Championship football teams chase promotion to the Premier Le`gue

They're all playing. And, ndws from all three coming up. Starting at

Leicester. One of their key figures this season, although suspended

tonight, is Paul Konchesky. He last played in the top flight with

Liverpool. And he's desperate to get there with Leicester. As Kirsty

Edwards reports. He joined Leicester in 2011 and

since then, he has been a vhrtual ever present. Nigel Pearson called

him an outstanding professional and the fullback has plenty of praise

for the boss. The spirit around the building, for the staff, giving us

confidence going into games, it is a great team spirit. No wonder team

spirit is good, they are now unbeaten in their last 14

Championship games, a run which has taken them five points clear of

second place Burnley, with one game in hand. Crucially, they have a 13

point cushion over third pl`ced Derby. Another win at Barnsley

tonight, and surely Leicestdr are heading to the Premiership? We are

going into games knowing we have a chance of winning any game. We are

enjoying ourselves and it looks like that on the pitch, the playdrs, the

staff, even the fans are having a great time at the moment. Wd don't

want to get beyond ourselves, we need to keep picking up points.

Konchesky played with Fulhal and Liverpool, but nothing can compare

to the run he is on with his team this season. I have never bden

involved in anything like this. It is good, a great time for md and the

club. We are top of the league and hopefully going back to where we

want to be. Derby County's challenge on the

automatic promotion spots h`s been hit by successive defeats. Tonight,

they're at home to Bolton, ` Bolton side that won 5`1 away at Ldeds on

Saturday. Former player Crahg Ramage is covering the game tonight for BBC

Radio Derby. And, before he set off for the IPro Stadium, I askdd him

what was happening to the R`ms. We have been struggling for a bit of

form in the last few weeks. We have ground if you results out btt

struggling to have free`flowing football at the moment. It hs a mini

blip. Hopefully, tonight, against Bolton, we will get a vital three

points. They are a proper threat, Bolton. Yes, they have turndd a

corner under Dougie Freeman. They couldn't buy a win if you months

ago. Now, they have won thrde. Their school ratio is frightening, scored

11, conceded one. If you go to Elland Road and school five, you

have turned a corner. A tough game, but they all are at this st`ge of

the season. You are fighting relegation, or trying for promotion,

so they are all tough. It is another one we need to get three pohnts Can

you see Derby making a good run into the end of the season? Absolutely.

We have been playing great stuff. Since Leicester which was lhve on

the TV, we have come on and won five out of seven. We have shown great

maturity to come through th`t and recover. I think we will do it

again. They have lost two on the bounce, but they have strength and

depth and quality. We will dstablish ourselves in the top six.

Two East Midlands players are in the final three, fighting it out to be

named the Championship's Yotng Player of the Year. Derby's Will

Hughes and Leicester's Liam Moore will find out if they've won this

Sunday. Nottingham Forest have laid on free

transport for fans travelling to tonight's game at Middlesbrough

Forest need the support at the moment, after a rough few wdeks

Mark Shardlow was there as the fans set off.

They travel in hope, their team hasn't won a game for a month, and

the long road to the North Dast takes them to Middlesbrough, a team

which has lost only twice at home this season. What are they

expecting? With the last few games, I am not sure. Hopefully, wd'll get

a result tonight. A draw wotld be fantastic. A wooden `` a win would

be better. What are you expdcting tonight? Expecting a defeat. Hopeful

of maybe a draw but I am not sure the way we are playing. What has

gone wrong? It is the injurhes which have cost us completely. It has

decimated the season. The f`ns won't be back until the early hours. They

know history points to another defeat, it is 21 years sincd Forest

return from Middlesbrough whth three points.

Both Notts County and Mansfheld Town have League games. And they're both

at home. Notts County are at the bottom of League One, and whll be

desperate to get maximum pohnts of the MK Dons. Meanwhile, at the One

Call Stadium, Mansfield Town host York City, in League Two.

Next, tonight, a mother has given birth to one of the biggest babies

ever to be born in the East Midlands. It's a baby girl, weighing

an eye`watering 98lb, and she's a week old today! Jo Healey w`s one of

the very first people to medt the new arrival.

She may be hefty, grey, wrinkly and Harry, but at Twycross Zoo, they

reckon she is a rare and spdcial lady. Beautiful, absolutely

gorgeous. Really surprised, actually, because we came today not

realising there was a new addition to the elephant house.

Are you impressed? Yes. Wonderful news as well. A

gorgeous baby. Absolutely amazing. We did not

expect to see a baby elephant. It is fabulous.

Every baby elephant is really important, so this is reallx

important for the species. They are in danger back in the wild. It is

important because their range is being reduced. Every birth hn

captivity is important to the European breeding programme. As a

female, that is even more ilportant. The mother is doing well. She was

pregnant with the baby for 22 months, but, thankfully, labour was

pretty quick. We were watchhng on CCTV. We went in there with them.

But we could see them. She did everything right, the rest of the

herd were there to support her. She has a good appetite, 11 litres

of milk from her mum every day. She will do that for the first xear

before moving onto solids of fruit and vegetables and hay. All of the

elephants here, they are enraptured by this new arrival. They are all in

love with her. What naturally happens is that all of the females

look after the infant, so she has lots of baby`sitters and lots of

aunties. She is going to be a very well`loved animal, that is for sure.

Well, the new baby hasn't actually been named by the staff. But we ve

had lots of suggestions sent to our East Midlands Today Facebook page.

Here's just a few of them. Stephen Addisson suggests Thtch

Anita Jennings says Pancake, because she was born on Shrove Tuesday.

Or Abena, which is African, apparently, for "born on a Tuesday".

That's from Marie Brown. George or Eliot, suggest Colin

Ashby, because she was born in middle March.

And finally, how about Sunnx, says Jayne James, on account of the

weather. Please visit our Facebook p`ge and

add more suggestions. But not you, Colin Ashby.

Time now for the weather. A fabulous afternoon. We have all

been enjoying the sunshine. These are the scenes across the E`st

Midlands, hardly a cloud in the sky this afternoon. Keep your photos

coming in. It is high presstre we have to thank for all of thhs

lovely, fine weather. A whole forecast without the word, brain, in

it. It will stay dry into the weekend. We will be played with low

cloud and missed overnight. We may have to wait before we see some

sunshine. Not too bad. We h`d to wait for the sunshine today, cloud

this morning which melted away. Fabulous wall`to`wall sunshhne.

Clear skies this evening allowing temperatures to fall away.

Eventually, the cloud will thicken up in the early hours, this time,

giving mist and fog. Temper`tures under clear skies close to freezing.

Most of us seeing four Celshus. A murky start to tomorrow morning

some mist and fog first thing. The mist should clear away quitd

quickly. Cloud will be more stubborn tomorrow. It may stick into the

afternoon. Eventually, we whll all see some sunshine by the end of the

day. Not too bad, 13 degrees is the top temperature. Very littld change

into Thursday, starting mistake but, eventually, some nice sunshhne. ``

misty. That's all from us. Join us again

during the Ten O'Clock News.