14/07/2014 Look East - East

The NHS surgeon in line for a seven figure pay`out who was sackdd after

blowing the whistle on problems at Basildon Hospital

Colchester residents worried about murders in the town complain about

being left in the dark over street lights.

We are going to a really hard time at the moment. There have bden many

stabbings and 1 men died not far from where I am standing now.

A month of rain in just one day Suffolk takes the brunt of the

Summer deluge. And a free school dinner for all

children up to seven. We ask if schools in the region can ddliver.

A surgeon is asking for more than ?1 million

in compensation from a hosphtal which sacked him after he blew

Arjuna Veera`Singer complained about a shortage of vital epuipment

Five years ago, the governmdnt sent in an emergency task force `fter

And this time last year, it was put into special measures

because it had one of the hhghest death rates in the country.

Now an employment tribunal has ruled the

It is 4 years since Arjuna Veera`Singer operated on a lan at

the hospital without the spdcialist Oz he needed to stop the patient

bleeding. He raised concerns with his bosses, and it eventually cost

him his job. It was very cldar at the tribunals judgment that the

macro is a whistle`blower and was subjected `` Arjuna Veera`Shnger is

a whistle`blower and was subjected to an arduous process. I've think it

is the worst`case I have sedn in 17 years of an unfair and

discriminatory dismissal. Arjuna Veera`Singer embouchure is ``, Mr

record at Defour hospital, but in 2010, he performed that is `n

internal report said the incident was changed to remove... Thd surgeon

was on sick leave, hospitalhzed 3 times, with serious pneumonha, but

during that time, he did attend a job interview and lectures `broad.

On the 19th of November, he was dismissed. They wanted to t`rnish my

for the station to the maxilum so that there would be no credhbility

in the whistle`blowing revelations which I've brought out into the

public domain. A clearly had not reached a single trust policy. ``

breached. The trust told us... But just last year, the Health

Secretary warned NHS bosses that whistle`blower is needed better

protection, and this case whll likely raise concerns. I hope that

having had the courage to come out and speak up will safeguard other

senior doctors. Arjuna Veer``Singer has won his employment tribtnal and

we'll find out in a few months time if he will get compensation. `` he

will find out. Essex County Council is comhng under

growing pressure to think again At the moment, thousands of lights

go off at midnight to save loney. But in Colchester, where thd police

are currently investigating two murders, local people have

complained about a lack of security. Some people have already submitted

claims after tripping over The problem was highlighted in the

Sunday Politics programme ydsterday. This father of 7 fears for the

safety of his children. This park in Colchester was the scene of a recent

murder. Afterwards, the County Council left streetlights on at

night, but now, the switch off has again. It has added to the `nxiety

of the people who live in Colchester. We are going to a

horrendous time at the moment. There have been stabbings, people have

died, one poor man died not far from where he we are standing now, and

I'd think it would be a kindness if the lights could be turned back on

for us. It is not just in Colchester that the fear of crime has risen.

This restaurant has been burgled and the owners say the criminals came

back three times, hiding in the dark, and are only visible through

the restaurant's infrared c`meras. It is pitch black almost whdn I luck

up at 1230, which makes it worse, and it definitely impacts your day

to day life. The bulk of streetlights in the county `re shut

off at midnight. The aim is to cut the energy bills of the Council

Seven people have taken out claims against the County Council, planning

their burglaries or accidents on the street lights switch off. It is not

something that has surprised this campaigner. She staged a public

meeting and started a petithon to get the lights back on. We have ever

6000 signatures. People of `ll different ages, from all walks of

life, arbitrarily grabbing the paper to sign. `` are literally grabbing

the paper. Straight away, they are there. The County Council insists it

is listening. What we want to do is avoid burning these lights

throughout the night, and wd will not use the switch off arrangements

in places where it is sensitive But Tony is still worried. He is

planning a midnight vigil in protest of the switch off in Colchester

later this week. It wasn't just a wet weekend

in parts of East Anglia. Sunny one minute,

torrential downpours the next. It was so heavy, that some places

got a month's rain in just 24 hours. What a difference a day makds. At

the weekend, it was a daily news, as more than 1000 people enjoydd the

annual music festival. The weather seemed idyllic, and in a fl`sh, a

storm broke in the heavens opened. The lighting was spectacular. The

light show in there was amazing But you came out in the light show was

even more spectacular. This was it, captured on film by a self`confessed

storm chaser. He said it exploded to life. Oh, hang on a minute!

Marvelous and menacing. Too close for comfort, thank you. According to

a weather station in the thhck, an inch of rain was recorded on

Saturday evening between nine and ten, and 1.2 inches on Sund`y

afternoon between three and four. In total, 2.5 inches fell in a 24`hour

spell will stop `` spell. Some residents nearby did not just get a

soaking, but a stench as well. The suspect was emptied. They h`ve been

brilliant. They could not s`y more highly of how prompt they wdre. It

was filthy for some, fascin`ting for others. And there was no choice here

but to revel in the moment, with laughter in the rain. I was thinking

it would be a bit rainy and dangerous, but everyone thotght it

was the best date. It was alazing. It was unexpected, but he s`ys it is

what makes living in this country so much fun.

We had two storms. As you s`w, there was some flooding in places, and

Snopes apprise, with more than a month's rain in 24 hours. There is

more rain on the way perhaps later on any week and I'll have more

detail on that Elizabeth later on the programme.

The region's biggest hospit`l is struggling to cope with

Planned surgery has had to be cancelled at Addenbrookes

GPs are being asked not to send patients to A and E because

It's been on "black alert" for two weeks.

That's the highest alert st`ge when a hospital's operating

The hospital says it's "actively recruiting" new staff

Research by scientists at the University of East Anglia h`s shown

that an ingredient in cannabis can stop the growth of some cancers

They say, in tests, some tumours actually shrink

when they are exposed to THC, one of the main ingredients in the drug.

Now they will try to producd a synthetic version of THC.

Ground`breaking research a few miles outside Norwich, involving one of

the main ingredients of cannabis, THC. Researchers found the chemical

sends a message to cancer rdceptors to stop the growth of tumours.

Cannabis is cultivated in a controlled environment. We `re

extremely excited. I'd like to make the analogy that it is a relay race,

and now we can hand off the baton to other researchers and hopeftlly the

pharmaceutical industry. Ond in three of us will develop cancer and

that means more medical resdarch is needed. It is important to stress

that, although the tumours reduced in size, they did not disappear

completely, and the THC might not be effective when it comes to `ll

cancers, but in this research, scientists looked at breast cancer

and brain tumours, and say the signs are extremely positive. Durhng a

trial on mice, researchers found that after THC was injected, tumours

reduced by 50%. This is not the first use of cannabis and mddicine.

At this hospital, clinical trials involving patients with multiple

sclerosis, and the man who helped develop it thinks there is lore to

come. It has been discovered that one of

the elements of cannabis can reduce the number of benefits thesd

children are having. Scienthsts say people should not self medicate

because cannabis is illegal, and the strength of THC used is so specific

it needs to be medicated properly, but it is hoped a safe medicinal

alternative for cancer patidnts could be available within the next

decade. Coming up, we asked if the

government can deliver on their promise of free school dinndrs. And

we interview Anthony Agogo, fresh from his latest triumph in the ring.

A flagship government progr`mme to give all infants free school

meals from the autumn term hs still running into problems.

The plan means many schools in the region must expand

their kitchens, or build new ones, as well as recruit more staff.

It is clear that a number of schools are set to miss

At the school, they are ahe`d of the game. The team of cooks havd been

trailing the new scheme, today, pouring `` preparing hundreds of

meals. Today, there is cott`ge pie with Russia cauliflower and carrots.

`` fresh cauliflower. There is also fresh fruit salad. It has to be as

locally sourced as we can gdt, and everything has to be made on site. A

full choice menu for year one and year two people have an phased in.

Do you like a hot lunch? Yes all stop putting are my favourite. ``

yes. Putting is my favouritd. Cottage pie. Chips. Fish and chips.

Fish and some sausages. You like vegetables? No, I like potatoes And

I'd like to know. It has bedn well received. The children love the

dinners and the parents havd helped to shape the menus. I think it is

going really well. When you have children who are well`nourished

amity you get better behaved children? It is still early days but

we notice a difference in the afternoon. The children are more

full and they are not full of sugar. We have a well`balanced meal

inside them. I think we will notice a difference. At this school, a few

technology room is to becomd a kitchen. I am really a `` food

technology room all stop I `m really excited because I've have ndver had

a hot `` room. I am really dxcited because I've never had a hot meal at

school. It is the timing for me We have had a year to implement and

research everything properlx. This Junior school kitchen currently

provide colleges to 70 people in a nearby infant school. That number is

likely to rise to around 150, delivered in hot containers by

battery powered containers. `` vehicles. This infant school in

Colchester in one of many f`cing big bills for new serving equiplent It

is feared hundreds of infants in the country will be served with cold,

not hot meals, at the beginning of the term. The school meals policy

was championed by Nick Clegg. The party spokesperson on education is

Simon Wright, and I asked hhm if it was right to get a free school meal

to the child if the parents could afford to pay. The government is

working on the basis of the evidence that has been provided by the pilot

scheme that has taken place between 2009`2011, and those schemes ensure

that you get the best benefht you the offer is universal. The

attainment improvement is greatest when there is an offer that applies

to everyone, and in those areas where the pilots took place,

children are doing about two months ahead of children in other parts of

the country. We know that providing a hot meal at lunch time will help

children to remain focused for the rest of the day and it helps to

support an improvement in bdhaviour across the school. You are saying

that you know that a hot me`l achieves that, and yet, you are

prepared to accept that somd schools will only be offering a cold meal. A

tiny portion of schools will, in the short term, be looking at ddlivering

a cold option whilst they gdt their facilities in place for the longer

term, but it is a small minority of schools. The vast majority will be

serving hot and healthy lunches and those that cannot right now, will be

getting support in the future. Why do you not spend this money on

teachers so that we have better paid teachers and not industrial action?

I agree that we need to support a string then `` and to strengthen the

workforce. But I also know that teachers will find jobs easher in

the classroom if they have children who have been well fed, bec`use

their concentration levels `re so much greater. As you know, there are

some counties in this region which are struggling to attain thd levels

of education that the government wants. They have now had to worry

about finding where their school meal is going to be cooked, about

building a kitchen, rather than worrying about driving up standards.

This is an important part of helping schools to drive up standards,

because of the range of bendfits that can come from delivering meals

to children, to make sure they are well said so that they can focus in

class. This is one part of the puzzle that is being solved. Are you

saying parents do not know what to feed their children? I would say

that schools have to providd meals to a very high standard of

nutrition, and that ultimatdly will bring long`term benefits to those

individuals, and also, to otr health services, and other statutory

services that are struggling to deal with the impact of issues lhke

childhood obesity. Thank yot very much.

So, are you a governor, a tdacher, a parent or a pupil?

Does your school have a new plan in place for September?

If so, get in touch now because we shall be

You can phone or e`mail or reach us through Twitter and Facebook

Remember to leave a contact phone number.

This week on Look East, we shall be counting down to the Commonwealth

Games and introducing you to some of the athletes from our region who

Some of them were in action this weekend at the

He is the sprinting showman who has yet to truly entertain. Four years

ago, he took silver in Delhh and became one of the poster boxs of

London 2012 stop but his form could not match the personality or the

publicity. He did not even lake the squad. Ever since, he has bden

channeling the frustration `s best he can, and on Friday night in

Glasgow, he sent out quite ` message. 30.22. Once again,

consistent. I have been doing some interesting work when I was in the

United States earlier this season, and they were trying to teach me

that confidence does not cole into it. You have a job to do, jtst get

out there and do it. Regardless of how ICL from day to day, I try and

state `` how ICL from day to day, I just try to get out there and do it.

He beat some of the world's fast is in the process. The most important

thing is to be consistent. @t this moment, he is consistent. Hd is

always in contention, and that always puts the fear of God into the

people around you, because dven when you are pushing, if you makd a tiny

essay, he is on you, and th`t is a huge advantage that he has `t the

moment. `` a tiny mistake. There was disappointment for Craig Rutherford.

The lipid champion was left stewing in this tent after injuring his knee

in the warm`up, but he says he will be back fighting fit in a fortnight.

There is only a short progr`mme of his ability evidence at the

Commonwealth Games, so one Paralympian Champion misses out

This was just his bird `` third race back after a string of injuries

just 100th of a second separating him with the world record holder,

but he will be back at the anniversary games in London this

weekend. Tomorrow we meet the husband

and wife badminton pair frol Milton Keyes who will becomd

the first married couple to compete Tomorrow we meet the husband

and wife badminton pair frol Milton Keyes who will becomd

the first married couple to compete Joining me in the studio now is

boxer Anthony Ogogo, from Lowestoft, who incidentally won silver at

the Commonwealths four years ago.. Anthony's here because he m`de it

a magnificent seven at the weekend. Seven professional fights,

seven wins. beating Wayne Reed with a

fifth`round stoppage in Livdrpool. I have been looking at your Twitter

account. Olympic medallist `nd future world champion. How far are

we going down that road is the mark that is a good reaction. Hopefully

in a couple of years I will have a nice belt around my waist. H think I

am supposed to be the next, next James Bond him about I don't know.

The difference between amatdur and professional, how are you fhnding

that? It is really tough. I have to go back to the drawing board and

start again as a pro. Seven fights in just into a year of my pro

career, I am kind of getting it and I am kind of getting it and die be.

I'd think I have `` and where I wants to be. I would like to be

English and British champion next year and then go on from thdre,

maybe European and then onto world champion. It is a slow procdss but

boxing is very tough. You are spending a lot of time in Alerica.

Do they like it? I hope so! I am doing loads of my training here I

do a lot of training down in London as well. I have also had thd

privilege to train over in @merica as well, which is great, because

boxing over there is really good. My next fight is in just under five

weeks in Los Angeles, California, and that will be an other great

experience I can add to my tally of good experiences. Eight in ` row, we

hope. But look at some picttres of you with your silver medal from the

Commonwealth Games. This is you fighting. Part of you would like to

be fighting in the Commonwe`lth Games again? It was an amazhng

experience. It was the first time I went to a multi`event sport. And yet

was brilliant. The guys going to Glasgow this year will have a great

time. `` India was brilliant. Obviously, I went on and improved my

medal success at the Commonwealth Games. We met all your family and

her mother and everything bdfore the Olympics. Are they all right? Really

well, thank you. One of my four sisters is very heavily pregnant and

is about to pop, so hopefully by the weekend we will have another

addition to the Ogogo clan. Lovely to see you. Stay safe.

Well, from boxing to politics, and some big names at Westmhnster

could be hanging up their gloves in the next 24 hours as the

Prime Minister re`shuffles his top tea, and it seems they might

We are already starting to get an idea of who is losing their jobs. It

will probably not be until tomorrow morning when we find that too is

being promoted. There is a lot a chat about several of our MPs. Top

of the list is Lizabeth Trost, currently in Education Minister A

lot of people are wondering if she is going to go into the cabhnet I

have seen one rumour that she could be about to replace Eric pickles.

Perhaps joining her is in and he he was the business that deals minister

and a close ally of George Osborne. One MP, Therese Coffey, and also

being talked about is Andrew Lindsley, because many people think

he is about to get the boot. `` Andrew Ramsey.

Let's take a look at the we`ther. During the course of the wedkend, 70

mm in some parts, not far from a month's worth of rain in ond day.

Today, a much quieter day, lots of sunshine across the region on the

satellite picture, but it whll not last for long, because this cloud is

gradually working its way towards us. A dry start to this evening

Sunny as well in some places, but the cloud thickening, and they will

get some pieces of rain. It was quite in Kabul night for sldeping

for some people last night. Tomorrow, `` uncomfortable night for

sleeping. Tomorrow, a mixture of bright or sunny spells and bearable

amount of cloud. You could get the odd shower. I would not be surprised

if there were one or two around For many places, a dry day. It should

feel fairly warm through thd afternoon as well. High pressure

continues, and another fine and dry day in many places, keeping these

weather fronts at bay. On Friday, this humid air coming up from Spain

in the Bay at this gay. It should state dry `` Bay of Biscay. It

should stay dry and get even hotter on Friday the of that going into

Friday, this area of low prdssure pushes up from the south,

interacting with the warm and humid air. Some thunderstorms in the West

on Thursday night. A lot of uncertainty in this sort of setup,

so it is worth staying tuned to the forecast for the next days. You can

see the temperatures are st`rting to hot up in the week. Perhaps getting

close to 30 degrees and Thursday and possibly Friday as well. Quhte

uncomfortable for sleeping through the end of this week. An increasing

risk of some thunderstorms towards Friday and Friday nights. Wd will

keep you posted for the next two days. `` Thursday and Fridax nights.

Thank you very much. See yot later on this evening. Goodbye.