19/09/2013 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today with Joanne Malin and Nick Owen. The

headlines tonight: Hospitals across the region in special measures are

to get help from staff working in successful medical centres. A main

should see real changes in their hospital in a matter of months.

We'll be hearing from the boss of a hospital in Birmingham who's sending

her staff to help others raise standards. Also tonight: The

Birmingham pub bombings — former IRA commander Martin McGuiness says he

"sympathises" with the families of the victims. My heart goes out to

all the victims of the conflict. The controversial high speed train line

is the only way forward, claims the boss of Network Rail. We are pushing

an existing infrastructure well beyond what it was ever designed

for, like driving a motor way up and A road.

After two broken bones, a fight to get fit ready for a shot at a world

title for Wolverhampton's Olympic medal—winning gymnast. And there is

the potential for it to warm up quite nicely over the weekend.

Good evening. Managers from the giant Queen Elizabeth Hospital in

Birmingham are to lend their expertise to failing trusts to try

to transform standards. It's part of an NHS plan across the country to

turn around hospitals in special measures. The plan mirrors the

"super—heads" scheme which is credited with turning around

under—performing schools. Critics argue though that the real cause of

failure is under—staffing, not poor management. George Eliot Hospital in

Nuneaton has struggled for years. An investigation into death rates found

problems. Too few staff out of hours, patients being shifted around

the hospital and no real sense of leadership to put things right. So

it is looking to this hospital for ideas. At the Queen Elizabeth in

Birmingham, nurses check how the ward is doing each day. A computer

system keeps track of everything from infection rates to medication.

Hello, Mr Jones. The chief executive years says most NHS staff want to

get things right for patients. But that hospitals labelled as failing,

that sense of ambition is lost. People get a sense of helplessness

and hopelessness. But we have seen a really good examples of good care.

The Queen Elizabeth is seeing more patients from outside Birmingham,

patients voting with their feet to go to a good hospital. Helping

improve Nuneaton could improve pressures here. And under these

contracts bring a little extra money back. But hospitals are big and

complicated. Experts warn it can be hard to change a legacy. Many

hospitals have long history of struggling to balance the books,

achieve high—quality care for patients. It will be a long haul to

turn these hospitals around. It would be unrealistic to expect any

turnaround team to achieve quick results. We need to be honest with

the public, that it takes three to five years to turn around a failing

hospital. But I am not going to wait that long, and I think members of

the public should see real changes in their hospital in a matter of

months. Ministers now they have to show these 11 hospitals how the

improved. The NHS is under massive financial pressure. It is possible

that in the next few years, more hospitals may get into difficulties.

At its best, the NHS is world—class, but there has also been

increasing interest in why some hospitals are better than others.

Labour says management solutions will not help close that gap and the

real answer lies in more nurses on the ward.

The Queens Hospital in Burton and the George Eliot in Nuneaton were

amongst those identified as having "fundamental breaches of care".

They'll now be under the guidance of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in

Birmingham. Earlier, I spoke to the Chief Executive of the QE, Dame

Julie Moore, who explained exactly what will be happening. We have come

up with quite a few ways that we can help the George Eliot Hospital. One

of the things that we will be doing is getting some of their staff to

work, their clinical staff, doctors, sisters, so we can learn. The second

thing is by use of our information system so we understand what happens

deep inside award down to patient care level. We are going to see if

we can roll that system out. Is there any danger this is going to

drain? I will not let that happen because nothing must suffer. We can

attract very high calibre managers. We have already got a very small

team of people to undertake this kind of work because we foresaw this

coming. There are also other people that we have gotten the trust who

can be used. It is not going to be a huge drain on people. So far, I make

a lot of telephone calls, but George Eliot stuff coming over to the QED.

Jeremy Hunt says we should see improvements quite quickly. That is

quite ambitious, are you happy with that? I am happy with a few months.

We can start to see some improvements quite rapidly. One of

the problems is we have labelled these hospitals as failure and I do

not believe they are. We can talk about struggling trusts, there is a

variety of reasons why these trusts are struggling. Adding a label can

lead to a loss of morale and confidence. We need to make staff

say they can make the improvements they want to. Thank you.

Meanwhile a key proposal of administrators brought in to decide

the future of Stafford hospitals being questioned tonight. They want

to stop babies being born there because there are not enough births

to maintain a safe and efficient maternity service. But a report to

be released tomorrow suggests the figures that decision was based on,

are inaccurate. Our health correspondent Michele Paduano has

this exclusive report. The last public meeting in Cannock.

Can cost little benefits from the changes so there were not many

people here. Those who were were still worried about maternity

services at Stafford Hospital. I was talking to a new mum and she said

there is not enough births at Stafford Hospital to sustain the

service. Is that correct? The report refers to 1800 babies being born in

Stafford, not enough to keep maternity services there. Leaked

figures I received today suggest 2400 babies were born in Stafford

last year. That is more than were born in either Redditch. At the

moment 2500 births is considered enough. Ideally, a lot more,

thousands more because the whole direction of travel is towards

consultant obstetricians. Fully qualified obstetricians on the floor

of the delivery suite, as many hours a day as possible. This woman is

worried about the travel risks. A former intensive care nurse who

needs oxygen, she is meeting with trust administrators next week. I am

beyond surprised, I am indignant with rage. Having asked the

professor had he done any risk assessments to find out he actually

hadn't. This person has a particular model of risk assessment. We have

done a far more robust risk assessment. Campaigners are planning

another march a week on Saturday. We are very there —— very nearly there.

I think we're in a different position. With the administrators

trying to sort out an effective and sound health care, the public

mauling is over. Coming up later in the programme:

School's back, but not for some. We meet the children still waiting for

the builders to finish. A former IRA commander turned

politician has offered his sympathy to the families of those killed in

the Birmingham pub bombings nearly 40 years ago. Martin McGuinness said

"his heart goes out" to campaigners calling for justice for the 21

victims. He was visiting England to give a lecture on peace and

reconciliation. But protestors say, until he names the men who bombed

Birmingham, his hands are stained with blood. Giles Latcham reports.

Dignified but determined, a gathering outside a peace Centre in

Warrington last night set up in memory of two boys killed by the

IRA. The focus of their anger, a man who once lived by the bomb and the

bullet. The reception I received your was exceptional. Martin

McGuinness had been invited to give a lecture. The brother of the

18—year—old victim of the Birmingham pub bombings says it is immoral. If

he wants to lord it on the stage, he should be begging for forgiveness.

He should be giving out the names of perpetrators. Martin McGuinness was

a senior IRA figure when two IRA bombs exploded in Birmingham in

1974. In the carnage 21 people died, among them Maxine Hambleton, at 18

the youngest of the victims. Six men were jailed, but there are

convictions were subsequently quashed. What did he have to say to

the protesters outside? I will be the last to criticise them, my heart

goes out to all the victims of the conflict. What we have to do is

continue with our work so that we can continue to move away from

conflict and move forward. This woman was so badly injured that

night that a priest read her rights. In recent years, she has met former

IRA men as part of a reconciliation project. She understands the call

for justice — but the desire too to move on. We have got to talk,

violence will not get us anywhere. Midlands police are assessing

whether a new investigation is viable.

Plans for a new £27 million hospital for Shropshire have been scrapped.

The Shropshire Community Health Trust has already bought the land

for the proposed new hospital in Ludlow — but now says it can't

afford the running costs. A teenager's appeared in court

charged with the murder of a Birmingham college student

16—year—old Azim Azam from Billesley was stabbed near a bus stop in

Moseley on Monday. This morning a 17—year—old from Kings Heath, who

can't be named because of his age, was remanded in custody and will

appear in court again next week. The UK Independence Party leader

Nigel Farage has denied claims by a West Midlands Member of the European

Parliament that his leadership style is "totalitarian". Mike Nattrass

resigned from UKIP last week after failing to get on the list of

candidates to fight next year's European elections. He described

those who'd been selected as 'cronies' of the leader. But, on the

eve of his party conference in London, Mr Farage dismissed

allegations he interferes with candidate selection. It is

balderdash. When I stood to be the leader of UKIP for the second time I

said I was not greeted with I had done before. I would rather lead the

party politically and not manage it or run it on a daily basis. I have

accented myself totally from the procedure. I have had nothing to do

with it. And you can see that interview in full on this weekend's

Sunday Politics, now back in its regular morning slot of 11am here on

BBC One. And there'll also be an interview with the Labour Leader Ed

Miliband. The man in charge of Britain's

railways said today there's no alternative to building the

controversial 40 billion pound high speed rail line. Network Rail Chief

Executive, David Higgins, says HS2 is the only realistic option to

increase capacity on our congested rail system.

Higher speeds, more capacity and economic growth — that's the promise

from high speed rail and today saw another major conference — this time

designed to transform the way people think about the project. Amongst the

hard hitters invited to speak — the head of Network Rail who maintains

that UK plc simply can't do without High Speed Rail. We are pushing an

existing infrastructure well beyond what it was ever designed for. We

have got freight trains, commuter trains, high—speed, all winning it

out. We will create jobs and opportunities.

Today's conference follows the launch of a major government

campaign highlighting the growth potential of the HS2. One of the

leading supporters of the project it's time to big up the benefits all

over again. What if you or a motorist? It gets lorries off roads.

What if you are a commuter? It frees up capacity for more services and

more seats. There are an awful lot of benefits that have not been

grasped. The conference has been taking place just yards from one of

the proposed HS2 stations. It has been taking place at a time when

there has been a summer of negative stories about the project, and some

are questioning whether it will ever happen. At the end of June the

Department for Transport increased it's estimate of the cost of HS2

from 33 to more than £42 billion. Then in August the Institute of

Economic Affairs said the cost could be as high as 80 billion. Later in

the month the Institute of Directors describe the project as "one grand

folly" then earlier this month the Public Accounts Committee said the

Government had "not yet presented a convincing strategic case" for HS2.

This summer, the number of people who have started to agree with what

we have been saying all along for three and a half years has reached

enormous levels. It is time for the government to stop and think again.

But that seems unlikely. A special bill designed to clear the way for

HS2 is expected to be debated in parliament at the end of this year.

And Peter joins us now from a site close to HS2 in the centre of

Birmingham. Where do we go next for this scheme? There is still a long

way to go. Public consultations, two are underway at the moment. One of

them has had to be rerun as the result of a judicial review. Phase

two is underway, that is due to end in January next year. Phase two

goals from the West Midlands to Manchester. We have got a hybrid

build due to begin at the end of the year. And with the Parliamentary

Bill finally give the go—ahead for HS2? It should do. But there is no

public enquiry into HS2. The hybrid build process completely replaces

that. But of the public want to have a say they can petition Parliament.

There will be scrutiny by various committees in both houses, it all

takes time. Royal assent for the hybrid bid is due in 2015. We have a

general election in May, so that'll have to happen otherwise the scheme

could be delayed. Thank you. Our top story tonight: Hospitals

across the region in special measures to get help from staff

working in successful medical centres.

Your detailed weather forecast to come shortly from Shefali. Also in

tonight's programme: Why this Olympic medal winning gymnast

believes getting more youngsters into the sport is his real success.

And the theatre company that's heading for the hills in Shropshire

for a unique performance. Pupils at a primary school in the

Black Country still haven't been allowed to start the new term

because of delays to building work. Contractors at Brandhall Primary in

Oldbury have been working on upgrading the school's heating

system and removing asbestos. But the work's overrun and for parents

the extra childcare costs are mounting up.

Half past eight in the morning, and the school run would usually be a

hive of activity. Ready to go back to school? But at Brandhall Primary

in Oldbury, just the reception and year six pupils trickle through the

gates. The school is still closed until Monday due to building work

overrunning. Nobody knows the ins and outs, especially as parents. We

have been kept in the dark. I feel for parents to have to take more

time off work to subsidise the school. They have been standing

about, they have not kept up to the schedule. Pupils in Year one to Year

five are two weeks late returning for the new term. A total of 280

children have been affected. It's also been a huge inconvenience to

parents having to find and fund extra childcare. Sarah Bradley has

recently moved and was aiming to start redecorating. Her plans have

been scuppered because her daughter has to stay at home. I haven't had a

home work plan at all. We have had to go out and buy things for her to

learn. It is really awkward her being at home. Instead of school.

Parents are now being reassured the school gates will be open for every

pupil this coming Monday morning. Parents will not be compensated. I

am a parent myself and I would be angry if my children could not go

back to school on time. Parents are now being reassured the school gates

will be opened this coming Monday morning.

Sport now and winning Olympic medals in London last year made stars of

Britain's male gymnasts. The team were invited to Buckingham Palace

and Louis Smith went on to win Strictly Come Dancing. But the

euphoria didn't last long for Wolverhampton's Kristian Thomas

who's faced a tough battle to overcome injury in time for a shot

at the world title. Nick Clitheroe reports from Shropshire.

It's only when you get this close to world class gymnasts that you

realise the combination of grace and power required to reach the top of

the sport. That only comes with hours of hard work in the gym at

Lilleshall's National Sports Centre. But Kristian Thomas is relishing

being back in training because his post—Olympic year has been disrupted

by a broken leg and a broken heel. I suppose there is two ways that you

can look at it. You can get a bit down in the dumps and not do much

for a few months or do what I did and say I can't use my leg that I

can use my upper body. I can progress on other skills and other

apparat is. They call Kristian the rock of the British team. It was his

job to keep his nerve in London when the pressure was on and guide the

team to that medal. His temperament is exceptional and he is very good

under pressure. You will always get 100% from him. And the admiration of

his team—mates has carried over to the wider public. More than a year

on people are still stopping him to offer their congratulations. Even

when I go to my local gymnasium, I still have parents come up to me and

say their children have gotten into the sport. It is really special.

Kristian and his team—mates are off to the World Championships in

Belgium later this month. Next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

is another major target. It's hard work in the gym today that will pay

off in those competitions. Amazing courage to come back from a

broken leg and a broken wrist. I always feel the same with

footballers. Let's talk about the glorious Shropshire countryside. The

experiences of women who live and work in the county's hill country

are bring brought to life in a unique way. Poetry and theatre are

being combined with one of my favourite pastimes, a brisk walk in

the rolling hills. Our arts reporter Satnam Rana put on her walking boots

to find out more. Stunning views of the Shropshire

Hills in Stiperstones, an area of outstanding natural beauty and now

the setting for In This Place. Cotton grasses, sphagnum mosses. I

think it has given me more satisfaction than anything in my

life. It's a piece of audio theatre recounting the stories of 20 women

who are connected to the landscape, and you experience through

headphones. We didn't even have to speak. It was like we had found a

playground. You feel this rising feeling in your chest. It is like

being children. We really wanted to find a way of celebrating and

interrogating the role that women have in shaping the local landscape.

We didn't want this material to sit in archives. The idea came that we

could find a creative response to it and do it as a walk were people

could experience the landscape for themselves. The project has been

developed out of oral histories captured by a local archivist.

Amongst the contributors, Fiona, who works for the Wildlife Trust. It is

such a precious thing and a special thing to me. It is lovely to share

it with other people and to tell them about these experiences and

hope that they are going to get something out of it and have some of

these experiences themselves. The hour long walk also incorporates

visual art by local sculptur Sophia Clist. She has made a visual arts

trail, she has cast a mould of her own hands out of compost,

biodegradable, which represents women having a tactile relationship

with the Earth. Countryside and land has been part of what people have

been doing since the beginning, working their way across it to get

somewhere. From Nipstone Quick through expansive fields and hidden

woodland this is a unique theatrical experience. There is something quite

Zen like about listening to the stories. Put them next to this

beautiful, rough, raw landscape, and this is theatre and nature working

together. The beautiful Shropshire hills. Fabulous, it looks quite

nice. Stand—by for some even better news on weather front. There is good

news for the weekend. The sunshine burst forth eventually today, which

made a world of difference. Sunshine is going to be key to us getting the

weekend we want. Now that today is out of the way, we have got this

ridge of high pressure building, getting into a fully fledged area of

high pressure over the weekend, giving a scam, settled conditions

but also a lot of cloud. It will be warmer if the sunshine breaks

through, more likely on Sunday the further east you are. This evening,

we have got that Sun across, drier conditions as well. Starry skies,

temperatures will drop. Down to about seven Celsius. You can see

this bank of clouds starting to filter in from the North, holding

temperatures at around ten or 11 Celsius. Tomorrow we have got much

calmer conditions, that will peck temperatures back to perhaps only 17

or 18 Celsius in the south of the region. Not particularly impressive,

but at least it will be dry tomorrow and we will see some brightness by

the afternoon. Moving on to tomorrow evening, again we have got some

cloud which will hold temperatures up to nine or 10 Celsius tomorrow

night. It is a largely dry picture. As we head into the weekend, it is

Saturday that is going to be fairly cloudy. Sunday is probably the

sunniest day. Temperatures on Saturday, 17 to 19 Celsius, average

for the time of year. If the sun pops through, temperatures will rise

to 20 or 21 Celsius. It will be warm into the start of next week as well.

Thank you. Let's recap tonight's top stories: A

crackdown is ordered on pension schemes that offer poor value to

millions of savers. And NHS managers from Birmingham are

parachuted in to help struggling hospitals in the region. We'll be

back at 10pm with more about why staff at the Queen Elizabeth

Hospital in Birmingham are being sent to help raise standards at

hospitals in Nuneaton and Burton—on Trent. Have a great evening.

Goodbye.