05/02/2014 Look East - West

Good evening. First tonight, doctors at Bedford Hospital have raised

serious concerns about a new contract to support people with bone

and muscular problems. They're worried that a provisional contract

offered to Circle Health will lead to financial losses and force

patients to travel elsewhere for care. Circle says it's a fuss about

nothing. Stewart Ratcliffe has the details. This is one of the forwards

where a patient is currently treated. The contract to manage

these services has been awarded to Circle Health. Doctors here feel

that if Bedford signed up to the contract, it could lead to financial

shortfalls, workforce gaps and service failings, perhaps

threatening the viability of a unique `` A If the contract

contained clauses which lay a significant clinical or financial

risk at our door, in particular the financial risk, that will have major

implications for not only the musculoskeletal service, but also

other services, because no service stand alone. This hospital is

already ?8 million in debt. The real concern is, if this new contract

means the hospital is paid less per patient per treatment, it could

undermine the financial stability of our spittle and threaten the future

of some of its services. The commissioning group says this new

contract will not mean less money being paid for services. Bedford

Hospital have been offered a contract under the same terms they

have now to provide those services. I don't know if they are going to

provide the services. Good people in Deptford find themselves going to

Luton... Absolutely not, patients have toys. I don't know why they are

concerned. I don't know why they make such a fuss about this. But the

hospital, this is about safeguarding services and ultimately,

safeguarding its future. The iury is still considering its

verdict in the trial of two men accused of assisting a serial

killer. Joanna Dennehy has admitted to murdering three men and dumping

their bodies in ditches around Peterborough. Leslie Leyton is seen

here filling a fuel can, which the court was told he used to burn out

one of the victim's car. He's also accused of helping to dump the

bodies, along with Gary Stretch, seen here in the green. Both men

deny the charges. A teenage girl has been sexually assaulted on a bus

travelling between Milton Keynes and Bedford. Police have released CCTV

footage of a man they want to speak to. The 17`year`old girl ordered the

coach at Buckingham and the man got on at Central Milton Keynes.

The developers of a warehouse in Buckinghamshire destroyed by fire

last month ignored advice to fit a sprinkler system. It's emerged the

Fire Service recommended sprinklers during the planning process of the

Liebherr Warehouse in Newport Pagnell more than ten years ago.

Liebherr Warehouse in Newport Pagnell more than ten years ago But

Pagnell more than ten years ago. But there was no legal requirement for

them to be fitted. Senior fire officers now want a change in the

law. The number of people in our region

who are classed as overweight or obese is on the increase. A national

league table shows that in some towns more than three quarters of

people fall into those categories. Several areas here have some of

worst obesity rates in the country. Our reporter Emma Baugh joins me now

with the details, Emma. Topping the list in our region is

Milton Keynes with more than 72 per cent of the population being classed

as overweight ` that's more than seven in ten people. That's followed

by Corby and Wellingborough with a figure of more than 70 per cent.

by Corby and Wellingborough with a figure of more than 70 per cent But

figure of more than 70 per cent. But at the other end of the scale ` the

areas where the fewest number of people are seen as overweight is in

Cambridge at 54 per cent and Luton at 59. In Milton Keynes, one man has

lost seven and a half stone to help change his lifestyle. That was the

main reason, I did keep to it, plus the way I looked, I didn't want to

look like an elephant all the time. I just wanted to look normal and

where normal clothes. I feel so much better. The figures are based on

Body Mass Index. The actual calculation is your weight in

kilograms, divided by the square of your height in metres. But BMI is

only a rough guide. It can't distinguish whether the weight is

fat or muscle. More is now being done to encourage us to exercise.

GPs can now refer patients to gyms instead of giving them a

prescription. It has been incredible is successful, over the past three

years I have seen over 80% of people who take part in the programme make

a significant reduction to their weight loss, in particular we have

had a number of clients who have lost upwards of three stone in

weight by taking part in this programme and have to support so

they know what they are doing will benefit them. But obesity is a

problem that's likely to get worse. It's been predicted that by 2050 at

least half of us will be classed as obese.

In tonight's football a fan was taken seriously ill during

Peterborough United's Johnstone's Peterborough United's Johnstone's

Paint Trophy match with Swindon Town. The game was stopped whilst

the fan was treated by paramedics. He has since been taken to hospital.

The game ended 2`2. The highways agency has withdrawn proposals for a

plan which would have seen the westbound slip road at junction 23

widened. They say it is now concentrating on the road around the

Histon north of Cambridge. That is before the new route of the 814 is

open. That's all from us. Good night.

A few showers moving through overnight, it will be largely fine

and dry with some clear spells and the winds, easing to a moderate to

fresh south`westerly. A scattering of showers around tomorrow morning,

for most of us, dry start of the day, perhaps even with some

sunshine. Temperatures around average, with mainly moderate south

to southeasterly wind for much of the day, although they are expected

to pick up later on. A wet end to the day, outbreaks of rain heavy,

continuing through tomorrow evening. In a moment, the National forecast

but I will leave you with the Outlook.

As you have just heard, the little respite between one storm system and

another and it is that cumulative effect which will cause further

problems in the coming days with risks of flooding and further damage

and destruction. This area of cloud is Saturday's potential stormy

weather. Before that we have clout to the north west of Spain and

Portugal which will come our way tomorrow. That is hot on the heels

of this area of cloud. It is still with us at the moment. The winds are

easing down, but there are still some gusty winds in the central

belt. It is wet and windy in Shetland, but compared to today the

winds will be much lighter. It will be a chilly night into tomorrow

morning with a touch of