23/10/2013 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today. I'm Bryony MacKenzie. And I'm Rob Smith.

Tonight's top stories: The safety of mothers and babies put at risk. The

damning assessment of Kent's biggest maternity unit. I couldn't even go

and see my baby because I had a wheelchair. We'll be reporting live

from the Medway Maritime Hospital with the latest details and

reaction. Patients as old as 81

as old as 81 say I Pat sexually abused by their doctor. He

Back on track. Damon Hill relives his Formula One days at a Kent Go

Kart track in aid of the stars of the future.

And a modern`day Belle of the Ball. The 15`year`old schoolgirl from Kent

crowned World Hip Hop Champion. Good evening. A shortage of midwives

and a lack of equipment are putting the safety of mothers and babies at

risk at Kent's biggest maternity unit, a damning report has found.

The latest findings at the Medway Maritime Hospital come after it was

put into special measures in July following an investigation into high

patient death rates. The Care Quality Commission says the hospital

failed to meet any of the six standards it assessed and is calling

for managers to take "urgent action".

Baby Amber Lee was born at 7:30am. Even when I was in labour, there was

no one with us. But inspectors have concerns about the care and

treatment women have been receiving. Jennifer says she was failed by the

Medway Maritime when her son was born prematurely. I felt shoved

aside by the staff. I couldn't even see my baby because I needed a

wheelchair. I didn't get a photo of my baby. Inspectors found emergency

equipment was not checked appropriately, which potentially put

mothers and babies at risk. Planning and delivery of care did not ensure

the safety and welfare of women. There were not enough midwives to

give effective care. Shelley says it was after she gave birth that

problems began. I was put onto a ward where there were people who had

not given birth yet, so not a lot of nurses around to help and come and

check were OK. The hospital has been told to take urgent action. Midwives

on duty are dedicated, hard`working and making sure they are responding

to individual needs but there is the risk of harm is to individuals

because there are not enough people around to support them. The hospital

says it is in the process of appointing 25 new midwives. Is this

hospital saved? Personally, it is. Even if... I judge that on the basis

of working with our midwives. Generally speaking, it is safe. The

hospital were now face further inspections.

This is just the latest in a series of damning reports into failures at

the Medway Maritime Hospital over the last few months. In May,

managers launched an investigation after a senior consultant claimed

Accident and Emergency services were "dangerously unsafe". In July, the

Trust that runs the hospital was put into special measures by the

Government after an investigation into higher than average death rates

identified concerns over standards of care. And in August, the

hospital's mental health crisis unit was condemned as a "poor quality

environment" by NHS managers who said patients needed to be moved to

better facilities elsewhere as soon as possible. But the MP for

Gillingham says he believes the situation will improve. The hospital

has to improve its services. It has got a new senior management team and

I know they are working exceptionally hard to turn things

around. Simon Jones is at the Medway

Maritime Hospital now. Simon, what further checks will there now be at

the hospital? There will be another unannounced inspection. If things

don't improve, the inspectors have the power to close down maternity

services here, although no one is talking about that happening at this

stage. But the report paints a picture of a do what `` of a divide

between midwives and management. One midwives said there is a concern

that if they do raise problems with management, they might be shouted

and treated like idiots. The inspectors find this cannot

continue. Hospital managers now have until

November second to tell inspectors exactly what they plan to do to make

the improvements the Care Quality Commission has demanded to turn the

situation around. Women who claim they were sexually

assaulted by their GP have told a jury his examinations left them in

pain, bleeding and feeling violated. Six patients say Dr Babatunde

Oshunisi assaulted them at a medical centre in Strood, near Rochester.

The oldest was 81. He denies the charges and says he acted properly

at all times. Women had come to this clinic

trusting a doctor would help them. Instead it has been said one of the

GPs carried out a series of assaults. One patient said he

examined her breast when she complained of bowel problems.

He had carried out a series of gratuitous intimate examinations.

Both of the women giving evidence said that although they felt deeply

unhappy with what had happened, they felt that as a doctor, they must

trust him. It was only one further allegations of assault against other

women were made public that they felt they must come forward. An

81`year`old woman who said you was also assorted will give her evidence

tomorrow. The doctor denies all charges.

In a moment: The alarming rise in wild bird trapping in the South

East. A woman from Sussex who's suffered

anonymous abuse via the internet for the past two years says she feels

cheated after the Crown Prosecution Service recommended that no charges

should be brought against two men arrested on suspicion of computer

misuse. Nicola Brookes from Brighton likened the ordeal to being "chased

by a pack of wolves". She made international headlines after

so`called internet trolls falsely accused her of being a paedophile

and drug dealer. She has been hounded by Internet

trolls for the last two years but today, Nicola was told that because

she interacted or engaged with trolls online, no one will face

prosecution. They are adding insult to injury by blaming the victim! It

is far too easy to say to me and many other victims, you started it.

It all began two years ago when she posted messages of support for an X

factor contestant who was thrown off the show. Within minutes, she became

a target of hate mail. If somebody is calling you a

paedophile or prostitute or drug dealer and there are 15 trolls on

you all at once like a pack of animals, you do answer back. I don't

regret doing it. Cases of Internet abuse have risen dramatically but

legal experts say they are still covering new ground. When you're

dealing with new law, you want a very clear`cut case to bring to

court because it would damaging if people are found not guilty in

court. Other people would think it was a green light for them to harass

people on the Internet. Sussex Police say what they appreciate this

has been a difficult time, they consider the case closed. What

message does this send out now to victims? What message does this send

out to the abuser? Nicola says she feels cheated and is taking legal

advice on whether she can challenge the decision. Chrissie Reidy

reporting and she joins us from Brighton Police Station. Chrissie,

what have Sussex Police said about the investigation? Sussex Police

tell us they are satisfied they conducted a detailed and thorough

investigation. The CPS tell us there was insufficient evidence to support

a realistic conviction. Nicola told me she is angry and disappointed.

She says it feels as though the authorities have sided with the

Internet trolls so she is seeking legal advice to see how or if she

can take this forward. Tributes have been paid in

Parliament this afternoon to a soldier from West Sussex who was

killed in Afghanistan. The body of Lance Corporal James Brynin from

Shoreham was repatriated yesterday. Both the Prime Minister David

Cameron and the leader of the opposition Ed Miliband commended him

for the service he'd given to his country Detectives investigating the

death of an Italian teenager in Kent have charged four men with his

murder. 19`year`old Joele Leotta died in

hospital after he was attacked in Maidstone on Sunday night. It is

clear from the tributes he was a highly talented and professional

soldier. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at

this difficult time. He has made the ultimate sacrifice and we must never

forget him. Four Lithuanian men have been remanded in custody and will

appear before Medway magistrates tomorrow. Six other people have been

arrested in connection with the incident.

The quality of work and training available to prisoners has

"plummeted", a new report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons has

found. It also highlights failings at the Tinsley House detention

centre near Gatwick where a doctor documented injuries to one prisoner

that were consistent with torture, only for a caseworker to write later

that allegations of torture were not credible. It is a very good

detention centre that humanely treats those who are awaiting

deportation, but any concerns raised in a particular case by

professionals, it is important that is followed up by the Home Office.

Our political editor Louise Stewart joins us from Westminster. Louise,

there's damning criticism for some of our other prisons, too.

Absolutely. In Sheppey, the inspector found staff were not

confident in dealing with emergency situations and would never enter a

cell alone, even if the prisoner's life was at risk. In Dover, they

found they were carrying out too many strip searches and said the use

of razor wire around the site was not proportionate to the level of

security needed there. They also found problems in a lack of

monitoring of prisoners in several other prisons. The findings of this

report show politicians have to be aware that cuts to funding to

prisons are impacting on inmates, staff and their ability to try and

prevent reoffending. The RSPCA says they're increasingly

concerned about illegal wild bird trapping in the South East. It's

believed that tens of thousands of birds are taken each year across the

UK, with individual birds selling for as much as ?50 to collectors and

breeders online. It's believed as many as 500 illegal trappers are

working in the country, and already this year, three Kent trapping sites

have been identified ` in Ebbsfleet, Faversham and Ashford.

Trapped. Wild goldfinches being held at an aviary in Northfleet. 15

goldfinches were discovered by the RSPCA here at the home of this man,

caught red`handed. It's the job of the specialist operations unit to

try to catch the trappers. Officers need to protect their identity. I

have been involved in hundreds of operations to deal with the

possession of these birds, the taking of them and the unlawful

selling of them. It is massively widespread and tens of thousands of

birds, I think, each a year are caused to suffer through these

activities. No one knows the true scale of the crime because birds can

be caught in people 's back gardens. There was evidence of such of the

garden in the man of Northfleet. We are on a public foot path. You have

got people downhill on a daily basis. Here is whether site was set

up. The gentleman had set up a camouflage area where he could and

watch the birds. He had it set to a net, which he would pull a string

and the net would catch anywhere up to five or ten birds at a time. This

trap was found there, too. This is eight typical cage trap. Probably

sings its heart out all day. They will come down. There will be food

in this section. This is a collapsible perch. You got yourself

a ?50 worth of bird. Others can be caught on sticks covered in blue.

The RSPCA is hoping that by showing bird traps, members of the public

might report sightings. This is our top story tonight: A

shortage of midwives and a lack of equipment are putting the safety of

mothers and babies at risk at Kent's biggest maternity unit, a damning

report has found. The latest findings at the Medway Maritime

Hospital come after it was put into special measures in July following

an investigation into high patient death rates.

Also in tonight's programme: She's the Belle of the Ball, but hold the

gown! We speak to the 15`year`old Kent schoolgirl wowing and winning

at the World Hip Hop Championships. Our mild and changeable weather

continues for tomorrow. It will be settled, wet and windy, though, as

we go into Friday. Damon Hill was the son of a Formula

One star who went on to fulfill his potential by winning the world

title. Henry Surtees was the son of another Grand Prix legend, John

Surtees, but he tragically never had the chance to prove himself on the

biggest stage, killed in a freak accident at Brands Hatch when he was

just 18. Today, both Damon Hill and John Surtees were at Buckmore Park

Go Kart track in Chatham to fundraise for an education centre

there in Henry's memory. You would normally find Damon Hill

driving something more powerful than a go cart but that did not stop him

getting up to speed. It's a very exciting sport. A lot of young

people want to have a go karting. There is a huge grass`roots sport

there and it is a lot of fun. Fun but not without risks. Today's event

remembers Henry Surtees who died of heart `` who died at brands hash.

Now his father was to raise money for an education centre here. He

says this is where Henry learned computing skills through racing.

That was largely inspired by what he was doing in connection with his

karting. Analysing data and what he had done on the corners and there

are lots of opportunities out there, not just as drivers, but actually is

engineers and support staff. If we can inspire a fewer youngsters to

come along and get on a career path, then we will achieve something.

Young racers say they always appreciate a helping hand. I see a

lot of my friends not getting the education as other young kids have.

You need a fallback plan. It is hoped to Henry 's legacy will see

his peers excel on and off the track.

There's no pickled sharks or unmade beds, but artist Bryan Senior's

is a masterclass of life ` what we see every day, including striking

scenes of his home town of Tunbridge Wells. Collectors praise his ability

to capture moods and now a new exhibition of his work is on display

at London's Court Gallery. Robin Gibson's live in Tunbridge Wells.

Robin, he may not grab the headlines as much as other contemporary

artists, but Bryan Senior still has quite a following. He is in his 70s

and has been selling his work all his life. For his new show, they

have been going back to people who bought his work in the 50s and 60s.

But I reckon I have had the best viewed today. I have seen him in his

element in his own home. It's a colourful odyssey. A journey around

his house, its walls lined with his paintings is a journey through his

past. Remarkably, he never went to art

school, but this has been his life 's work and passion. This is a very

frequently seen view. I feel as if I am a stranger somewhere, nothing is

quite real, so I painted. I have a real connection with the world once

I have painted it. And the world means real places and people? That's

right. I admire abstract art. But it doesn't give me much to chew on. A

walk around Tunbridge Wells reveals how it is a real world captured in

mood and atmosphere, all in graphic detail. The new exhibition focuses

on his early years, a time to reflect on what an artist 's life is

meant then and might mean to others in the future. If they are

determined to do it and don't mind the lean times and don't mind doing

without comforts and family, it would be unfair to bring up children

on an artist 's salary. It's an artist 's colourful catalogue,

telling a story of a life of painting, painting the real world he

sees where ever he may be. hear a few cynics cheering those

comments on abstract art! He would be in the frame. The exhibition is

now open. If you are in the neighbourhood, it is well worth a

look. Peter Taylor earned his first win as

interim manager as Gillingham defeated struggling Notts County 2`1

last night. Chris Whelpdale opened the scoring with a low drive and

then turned provider as Danny Kedwell ran on to his flick on to

score his sixth goal of the season. Callum McGregor scored a solo effort

for the visitors with ten minutes to go but the Gills held on. But

Crawley's seven`game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with a 3`0

home defeat by Port Vale. They were getting chances and they score a

goal and it's a nervous last few minutes. Fair play to the players.

They have worked extremely hard. We can defend a little bit better than

that to not give other teams too many chances. Midfielder Louis Dodds

put the visitors ahead after a mix`up between Paul Jones and Joe

Walsh. Ben Williamson made sure of the points for Vale in the second

half, running from the halfway line before beating the keeper.

She's just 15 years old but Kent schoolgirl Belle Fisher is already

an international dance champion. Not content with winning the

International Dance Organisation's European Hip Hop title, she's now

added the World Championship to her collection. It means she's the

first`ever dancer to hold both titles simultaneously.

This is the moment Belle Fischer won the European hip`hop championship.

Now she has added the world title to her collection. Back home in Herne

Bay, she is keen to pass her skills onto dancers of all ages. I danced

about 20 times to to the final, so to get that far, even the second

round, I was so pleased. To get the final is a massive achievement for

me. To dance against different people I don't normally dance

against as well. But it is more than just an award winning dancer as she

choreographed this routine. She's very kind. She's really good at

teaching us because she breaks the dance up so we can understand it

properly. Very happy that she got all of them awards. I'm really proud

of her winning all of them trophies. It's just a really, like, clever how

she has been able to get to that stage and dance. Diversity have

helped make street dance popular and Bell hopes her success will rub off.

Quite a mixed bag over the next couple of days. Tomorrow, mostly

settled. But it will not last. Pretty stormy as we get into Friday.

We started today with showers but it brightened up nicely by the

afternoon and temperatures decent for this time of year. Highs of 17

or 18 degrees. Look at those wins, though, they have been really

blustery. But they are easing off. With the lighter winds, we will see

mist and fog patches forming and temperatures call than they have

been recently. Overnight lows of eight or nine degrees. A little bit

chilly as we start the day tomorrow. A ridge of high pressure

to thank for the several day and decent spells of sunshine throughout

the day. Still with those southerly winds. Temperatures again holding up

for this time of year: 15 or 16 degrees. A very pleasant feeling

afternoon. Again, it will not last. Tomorrow night, the winds will keep

up and the cloud will thicken. Dawn, outbreaks of heavy and

persistent rain. Lows of 13 or 14 degrees. A mild but wet and windy

picture as we start the day on Friday. That rain will move through

pretty quickly. The afternoon brightens up nicely. Temperatures 18

or 19 degrees. But a very unpleasant start the day. We hold onto those

blustery showers we `` as we go into Saturday. By the afternoon,

brightening up a little bit. Sunday, it turns really stormy. Changeable

weather over the next couple of days. Lots of blue on the map as

well. On South East Today tomorrow: We'll

be speaking to 15`year`old Bethany Davy from Dartford who's part of a

young band aiming to be top of the pops... Well, actually, the poppies.

The Poppy Girls, whose fathers all serve with the Armed Forces, will be

singing the official 2013 Poppy Appeal single and performing in

front of the Queen at the Royal Albert Hall next month.

That looks great, doesn't it?