16/09/2011 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today with Suzanne Virdee and Nick Owen.

The headlines tonight: Costing the NHS �100,000 - the illegal

immigrant who has spent more than a year in hospital. When they are

ready for discharge they should be sent back to their country of

residence. Children as young as three are

being given drugs to treat hyperactivity. It was like he was

sleepwalking. He had dark circles under his eyes. His behaviour was

wonderful but it did not look like him. 8000 on their way to

Birmingham for the Lib Dem conference. It is claimed it will

generate �12 million for the city. And the world's best gymnasts head

to the Potteries. Good evening. Welcome to Friday's

Midlands Today from the BBC. Tonight: Calls to deport an illegal

immigrant who has spent over a year in hospital, costing the NHS more

than �100,000. The patient was well enough to leave hospital last

August but needed nursing care and had nowhere to go. The result - he

has been living at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley ever since. The

issue has been raised in Parliament and border officials say he will be

leaving the country soon. Joanne Writtle reports.

Russells Hall Hospital serves 400,000 people in the Dudley area.

The illegal immigrant from Pakistan has been here for 13 months, even

though he could have been discharged in August last year.

Margot James, the local MP, raised the matter in the House of Commons.

I am not arguing that an illegal immigrant should not have emergency

care if they have a crisis, but when that care is finished and they

are ready for discharge they should be sent back to their country of

residence because they have no entitlement to remain.

The hospital released a statement, saying Our patient needed acute

hospital care when admitted into hospital with complex medical

conditions, and was medically fit to be discharged in August 2010,

but required ongoing nursing care. The NHS is a national, not an

international, health service and we will not tolerate its abuse,

which is why arrangements for removal have been made in this

complex case. That nursing care would usually be

provided in the community, in the patient's or more a nursing home,

for example. The people we spoke to in Dudley gave a mixed reaction.

They should at least try to help him somehow. If the NHS should be

used for residents of here. We pay the taxes. If he is an illegal

immigrant they should send him back. A spokeswoman for the UK Border

The Border agency has been working on the matter for nine months now

and says it hopes to arrange for the man to return to Pakistan as

soon as possible. Let's talk did Joanne now. Any news

of when this patient will be deported?

Tonight Margot James has told us that she understands he will be

flown back to Pakistan towards the end of next week. When the matter

was raised in the House of Commons, Damian Green, the Immigration

Minister, said that an airline had been found to fly the man back home.

He also said that care and reception arrangements had been

made to ensure his removal from the country went smoothly.

Why has it taken so long? Well, there have been lengthy

negotiations between the UK Border agency and Pakistan International

Airlines. The immigration removal centre was not equipped, it turns

out, to provide the medical care needed. Apparently, all immigration

removal centres are equipped to deal with short-term cases and

medical emergencies, but not the type of care required by this man.

In addition, a doctor here advised the UK Border agency that the man

would need at least one medical escort to fly and that he would

need to travel lying down on a stretcher. All in all, be described

it as a highly complex case. -- they describe it. Later in the

programme: Ben Rich is here with all the weekend weather news. Well,

the weather calmed down briefly in midweek, but now it is turning

unsettled again, just in time for the weekend. Join me for all the

details of a blustery, showery outlook later in the programme.

A new group's been set up by the Government to find out what caused

last month's riots in Birmingham and other cities in England. The

Independent Riots, Communities and Victims Panel launched a website

today, and it is also sending thousands of letters to areas

affected by trouble. Earlier I spoke to the panel's chairman,

Darra Singh, and asked him who they wanted to hear from.

We want to hear from as wide a range of people as possible -

shopkeepers, businesses, residents who have been affected. We also

want to hear from those in neighbouring areas who may not have

had a direct impact but who have views. We want to hear from people

who work with the police or local councils in the voluntary sector.

As wide a range of people as possible. If you want to give us

your views, we want to hear from you. What do you what to achieve by

this? We have a very clear remit. We are a panel that has been set up

to look at the grassroots experience and to take views from

local communities and victims. We will be talking directly to

affected areas through a range of visits. We hope to find out the

motivations of people who rioted and while riots happened in some

areas and not others, and what businessmen and women thought of

the support they had and what we can learn for the future.

The Home Affairs Select Committee is also investigating the riots.

They have already been to Birmingham to collect information.

How well you're investigation differ? We will be complementary.

We will want to learn from the information that the Home Affairs

Select Committee have already received. However, we are

independent of government and we will build on that and speak to

local communities and victims directly, as well as visiting areas

that did not have riots to understand what they didn't have

done in the past that has helped. And that report is due out next

March. Tributes have continued to come in

for a soldier from Shropshire who was killed in a shooting incident

at an army firing range in Kent. Fusilier Dean Griffiths, from

Market Drayton, served with the 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh. The 21-

year-old father-to-be was described by his family as caring and fun-

loving. They head of his former school today extended her sympathy

to the Griffiths family. An investigation into what happened is

under way. Thousands of Birmingham city

council workers are to go on strike again next week in protest over new

contracts. Members of Unison last walked out in June over plans to

withdraw a range of shift bonuses and allowances. The union claims

some workers could lose up to �6,000 a year as a result. The one-

day strike is due to take place on Wednesday.

The owner of a 4x4 who drove his vehicle up Snowdon has appeared

before magistrates, charged with dangerous driving. Craig Williams

from Cheltenham is also charged with driving on moorland, common

land or land not used as a road. He was released on unconditional bail

after failing to enter a plea. He will appear again next month.

A leading educational psychologist says children as young as three are

being given drugs to treat hyperactivity. Dave Traxson works

with children in the West Midlands who have been diagnosed with

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He claims at least 100

children under six are being prescribed drugs such as Ritalin to

alter their behaviour. Holly Lewis has this report.

Sarah from Lichfield was at her wits end when her nine-year-old son

was prescribed Ritalin. She soon regretted her decision. It was like

he was drug-induced, it was like he was sleepwalking. He had black

circles under his eyes. Yes, his behaviour was wonderful but it did

not look like him. You could see that there was something else.

This educational psychologist believes only 20% of the children

in the West Midlands to take psychotropic drugs should have been

prescribed them. And he is alarmed by the age of some of the patients.

The area we are most concerned about his prescribing these strong

stimulants for children under six. The reason for that is that their

brains have not finished developing at that stage and we are putting a

toxic compound into a child's developing brain. Guidelines issued

by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence state that drug

treatment is not recommended for pre-school children. For month --

Ford youngsters with moderate condition -- symptoms, behavioural

therapy should be tried first. Sarah took her son of Ritalin and

found a parenting course helped her cope with his behaviour. The

Association of Educational psychologists is calling for a

Government review into the prescription of powerful drugs for

prescription of powerful drugs for prescription of powerful drugs for

children. Our health correspondent, Michele Paduano, joins us now. If

the National Institute for Clinical Excellence say children under six

shouldn't be prescribed these drugs, how come it's happening at all?

medicines are not actually licensed to be used for children who are six

years of age and under. There are serious side-effects and it does

affect their growth. Like all good rules, there are exceptions. The

person who drew up the rules says that, in extreme cases and with the

consent of the family, it can be used, but only in specialist

centres. Our drugs such as Ritalin Mrs

Ardely a bad thing? Both the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the

National Institute for Clinical Excellence say that they work in

the short-term. It is a bit more sketchy in the long term. They

should only be used in extreme cases and in conjunction with other

therapies and with education going on with the families. Like all

things, medicine suffers from fashion and worries about cost. It

is about getting it right for the children. Plans for a �14 million

expansion to the Potteries shopping centre in Stoke-on-Trent went on

show today. The project involves a mix of shops,

restaurants and a cinema. 100 jobs could be created during

construction, almost 200 once it is complete. If approved, building

work would begin next year, with facilities opening in 2014.

80% of businessmen in Coventry and Warwickshire say they are

optimistic about their prospects for growth, despite the fragile

economy. They were polled at today's Chamber of Commerce

conference in a week that saw inflation and unemployment increase.

One speaker, Lord Digby Jones, called for more encouragement for

entrepreneurs. The nation has paid itself money it has never earned

four years. What we have got to do, of course, is ensure that we put in

the foundations for long-term, sustainable wealth creation. It is

only business that generates taxation, or only business creates

wealth and makes money that employs people.

The Liberal Democrat conference begins at the ICC in Birmingham

tomorrow. Around 8000 delegates, exhibitors and journalists are

expected to attend the five-day event. Marketing Birmingham claim

it will give a �12 million boost to the city's economy.

The conference comes at a difficult time for the coalition government

and also for the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition which runs Birmingham

City Council. Party time again in Birmingham. The

Tories' coalition partners are turning the place she other this

year. Even the Conservative leader of Birmingham City Council is happy.

It is a coup for the City of Birmingham. Here, like at

Westminster, the Conservatives and the Lib-Dems are more than just

good friends. The rule in a coalition known as the city

council's progressive partnership. After winning seven elections

together, they make Nick Clegg and David Cameron look like newly weds.

But it has been a thorny year since the Westminster knot was tied in

the Downing Street Rose Garden. And, much like the Deputy Prime Minister,

Birmingham City Council's deputy leader, Paul Tilsley, enters his

party's first autumn conference in the city with some battle scars. A

poor set of local election results has put Birmingham's progressive

partnership on the rocks, according to some. Given the pattern of seats

that are going to go out in 2012, the runes seem to be cast that it's

going to put that coalition in serious danger, particularly given

that very slim majority they have at the moment.

The Lib-Dems lost seven seats in May, leaving him with 24. Their

Tory partners saw their seats fall by six to 39, giving the progress

of partnership a total now of the 63 seats but Labour became the

largest single party in Birmingham with 55 seats. Another six would

win them back overall control next year. Or will it? Most of the

Jeremiahs had us lasting eight months, let alone eight years, and

part of that has to be Paul Tilsley's leadership, his ability

to carry a Lib Dem party. All food for thought as the Lib Dem party

guests gather to swap notes this weekend.

And our political editor, Patrick Burns, joins us from outside the

ICC now. Patrick, what will be the things to watch out for over the

next few days? Certainly, a big highlight will be

tomorrow. A proud moment for Paul Tilsley because he will formally

welcome his party to his home town for the conference. And yet,

paradoxically, we are also heard that the Labour group are extremely

confident. They think it is a mathematical near certainty that

they will have an overall majority for themselves up the May's

elections. There is a big march and rally being money -- organised by

the TUC which they say could drop to 30,000 people are in support of

their campaign for justice, jobs and growth. As we have been hearing,

Younis and have organised a strike on Wednesday to coincide with Nick

Clegg's speech to conference. The riots are another big theme. There

are likely to be protests against the Liberal Democrats on Monday.

Some people say that they have reneged on their agreement to

defend police numbers. I am joined by the MP for Yardley. As one of

the architects of the progressive partnership, are you resigned, as

Labour say that you should be, to losing power in the City? I think

we have done a very good job. If Labour had the won their general

election, the protests would be bigger. We would face deeper cuts

of Labour won power. But people do not like the medicine. If you look

around the world, the governing parties are suffering. We have

managed to be more effective in dealing with its of the cuts will

be less in the long term. People do not necessarily recognise that.

It does seem that you're party is bearing the full brunt of any

Government unpopularity that is going. There are some very serious

problems and we have to fix them. We have to deal with the deficit,

otherwise you end up with a situation like Greece. Effectively,

there is a Labour Party in power there.

You were in evidence since the immediate aftermath of the riots,

but there has been criticised -- criticism from Lord Heseltine about

the degree of local political leadership at that time of crisis.

As a specific criticism about Birmingham? I did not see that...

He compared leaders unfavourably against Boris Johnson in London.

What did he actually achieve? discussed.

One thing we can all agree on, of course, is that Birmingham is now

firmly established in this merry- go-round of party conference cities.

Back to you. And a reminder that the Politics Show returns this

Sunday, live from the conference at 1:35pm. That's here on BBC 1.

Still to come this evening: Molly's legacy - the little girl still

helping others, despite losing her own fight against cancer.

And that's after the sport with Dan. Stoke City flew home from Kiev in

the wee small hours of the morning. Birmingham City got to bed a little

earlier after their Europa League exertions. But neither team will

have much of a breather before they are off again, in opposite

directions, this weekend. Ian Winter reports. Of all the famous

sights that Kiev has to offer, one sight will live forever in the

memory of those who travelled east from the Potteries - the sight of

Cameron Jerome scoring his first goal for Stoke City, a goal that

made the long trip worthwhile for 400 travelling fans, and a goal

which came so close to winning the game. But Dynamo Kiev spoiled the

Potters' party with a late equaliser in stoppage time. A

disappointing finale but plenty of positives for Tony Pulis. I am

absolutely delighted with the players, he said. Obviously we are

paid sick that we have conceded late on, but it is still a very

good point. At St Andrews, Birmingham City

found Braga too hot to handle. Last season they beat Liverpool on the

way to the Europa League final, and they were 2-0 up inside the hour

mark. Then Marlon King capped an impressive display by scoring his

first goal for the Blues. And today manager Chris Hughton was full of

praise for his performance. He is a good player and it is good to have

him back. What was he like in the dressing room afterwards? I think

he was delighted to have his goal bus-stop he was also placed to come

through 90 minutes. He has been more and more desperate to get back

training and playing and I think it showed last night. But two minutes

from time, Braga wrapped it up at 3-1, leaving the Blues with food

for thought before they meet again in Portugal in November. Between

them, Chris Hughton and Tony Pulis made a total of 14 changes for last

night's Europa League games. And no wonder. On Sunday Stoke head north

to Sunderland and Birmingham travel south to Southampton.

And to keep in touch with how your side gets on over the weekend tune

into your BBC local radio station where they will have all the team

news, match commentary and post- match reaction.

Some of the world's best gymnasts are heading to Stoke-on-Trent this

weekend for the Men's British Artistic Championships. It is an

opportunity for those hoping to make the 2012 Olympics to finesse

their performances, among them, Wolverhampton's Kristian Thomas,

whose sights are set on a medal next year. Ben Godfrey caught up

with him at training camp. Kristian Thomas took up gymnastics

at the age of five, training near his home in Wednesfield. This week

I joined him at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall. The 22 year-

old is now captain of the Great Britain men's team. I have to thank

my brother because he was always the one who was climbing everywhere.

My mum to come to a leisure centre. I can't remember where it was but

it was local. And little brother followed. Aside from this weekend's

British championships, Kristian's focus is next month's World

Championships in Tokyo, where Team GB has a chance to secure a place

at London 2012. My main job is to go there, put my hand up, do clean

routines that I have been doing in preparation already. Kristian's

training with gymnastics elite. There is World and European

champion Beth Tweddle and Lewis Smith, a bronze medallist at the

Beijing Olympics. Kristian brings a calmness to our team and I think he

has had an incredibly strong year this year. I would think he thinks

he is in a pretty good place. He came 6th in last year's world

champions as. He knows he has to go all-out to if he has a hope of

getting a lumbago. I have plenty of inspiration from the other athletes

around. Ask Kristian which apparatus he prefers and he says he

is an all-rounder, but then, when you spend 30 years a week in the

gym, you've got the Olympics in your sights. Ben Godfrey, BBC

Midlands Today, Shropshire. Definitely a case of do not try

that at home! Imperial Commander is a tough horse

racing with a tendon injury. We need a new Local Hero.

This is a really compelling story. She was the little girl who

captured hearts during her fight against cancer. Molly Ollerenshaw

helped hundreds of other children when she narrated a cartoon to

explain what it's like to undergo radiotherapy. Sadly, she died

earlier this year, but, as Sarah Falkland explains, her legacy will

live on. When the last film Moray he had --

she had already been diagnosed with a third tumour and time was running

out. But that did not stop her pitting her heart and soul into a

cartoon made by the makers of Wallace and Gromit. In her short

life, Molly had countless radiotherapy sessions. She was the

perfect choice to help other children will become her feet --

their fears. Molly's animation was sold on to hospitals around the

world and the profits from it have helped to pay for this. It's a

tomotherapy machine - the first high-definition one in the country.

It allows doctors to target tumours more precisely. Molly's mum has

come to see it. Four rows, it is about moving forward and trying to

find positives from that dreadful situation. We can never bring Molly

backed this up of course we would want to see her and bring her back

and have a for every second. If we cannot do that they want to do

something that makes a difference for other people. The machine cost

�2 million. It means Birmingham's Elisabeth Hospital is the only one

in Europe to have two of them. The risk of zapping healthy tissue is

now extremely low. It is the difference between an accuracy of

five mm and an accuracy of 2 mm. Each year 1,500 children in the UK

are diagnosed with cancer. The Queen Elizabeth is the second

largest centre in the country for radiotherapy treatment in children.

Typically, around 80 children are treated each year. In the end, no

machines could save Molly, but the one she has helped to pay for will

start saving lives in November. What an incredible achievement. �2

million she has raised. It must give so much strength to her family.

The summer's music festivals are still going on. Some big names at

Henley in Arden tomorrow afternoon and evening, including Bev Bevan

and The Move, but the weather's all It is looking very mixed. We are

expecting a bit of sunshine and some rain. There will be blustery

showers and the wind will be a feature. There will be good sunny

spells in between. For most of us it is fairly pleasant this evening.

Later in the night the showers fling themselves in from the south-

west. There could be the odd rumble of thunder mix them. This is how

things look tomorrow - low pressure up to the north. This is not going

anywhere fast. It is throwing showers in from the West. That is

not a bad direction from us -- for us. A bit of shelter from the Welsh

hills could mean that some of us do not see too many showers. Shares

could be heavy and thundery tomorrow. It will be much cooler

with highs of 16 or 17 Celsius. If you're going to any of the football

matches, there will be some showers at Aston Villa versus Newcastle.

The showers will fade away tomorrow evening. It will be dry for a time.

Later in the night we see the persistent rain starting to make

its way through Staffordshire. That will move south through all parts

of the region on Sunday. There will probably be more showers on Sunday

than on Saturday. The weekend is mixed and changeable - some sunny

spells and showers, the showers heaviest on Sunday. It stays

changeable as we go into next week. Not the best weekend forecast.

The main headlines: All four of the trapped miners in Wales have now

been found dead. Costing the NHS �100,000 - the

illegal immigrant who spent more than a year in hospital.