12/12/2013 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Natalie Graham. And I'm Rob Smith.

Tonight's top stories: The man with lung cancer, heart disease and

cirrhosis of the liver forced to be assessed for work. His doctor says

his treatment is barbaric. The Government is more interested in

figures than people. The Sussex care home for dementia

patients under investigation after complaints from the residents'

relatives. Also in tonight's programme, a

government review into so`called legal highs after the death of a man

was highlighted on this programme. We meet the Sussex gay couple who

will become the first in the country to have a full wedding next spring.

We are live in Brighton where that first wedding will take place.

And he's in for a long stretch, the prison officer who's lost half his

body weight now planning to run a double marathon.

Good evening. A Sussex doctor has described as inhumane and barbaric

the treatment of a cancer victim who is being forced to undergo a review

of his fitness to work. 60`year`old David Cole from Bexhill, who has

lung cancer, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver, has been

told his entitlement to benefits will be reviewed. This move comes

despite a tribunal ruling earlier this year that he was unfit for work

and would never be so. The Citizens Advice Bureau claims his case is

just the tip of the iceberg. Colin Campbell has our exclusive report.

David Cole has osteoporosis, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver and

heart problems. He has depression and is recovering from cancer after

having a third of a lung removed. With help from his wife, he takes 24

tablets a day, five injections of insulin, and despite this he was

assessed as being fit for work. It has been traumatic. In the respect

that... You have to... Keep trying to prove

to them that you are ill. Employment and support allowance is a new

benefit introduced in 2008 for those who are not able to work due to

disability or illness. It replaced incapacity benefit, and from 2011

onwards those claiming incapacity benefit have been reassessed and

moved on to ESA. Under the new system, claimants have to undergo a

work capability assessment, which for many has involved a face`to`face

assessment, worked contract it to a French company. But a tribunal

review told David he should not be reassessed ever again. But then he

received another letter from the DWP, saying he needed to attend a

medical assessment. It has been a pain in the neck, it has caused me

quite a lot of anger at times. In a letter listing David's conditions

and numerous medications, is GP describes the treatment as

inhumane. The ads, it is not the first example, even in our own

practice, this barbaric activity. This has been an unnecessary process

which has been quite distressing for him. It is somewhat inhumane. Dozens

advice bureau say they have helped over 100 people in East Sussex who

have been wrongly assessed as fit for work. `` Citizens Advice Bureau.

It is very clear that these people have long`term conditions, and it

does not seem possible that they should be expected to be looking for

work or even be expected to go back into paid work. It has left me

feeling like the Government is more interested in figures than people.

The Department for Work and Pensions say they are committed to helping

people move from benefits into work if they are capable, while giving

unconditional support to those who need it. David feels he has received

no support and feels the Government not listening.

Well, we asked the Department for Work and Pensions if we could speak

to a minister about David Cole's case, they told us no`one was

available. But Colin joins us in the studio. What have they told you?

Yes, they say that the letter that was sent to David Cole, they admit

that the letter requesting him to undergo a further medical assessment

was a mistake. David Cole has received an apology for that

letter, which the DWP ad mitts must have caused in distress.

Interestingly, David Cole, described by his GP as someone who is unfit

for work, must still undergo a further assessment in three years.

Mr Kohl has already been given the date for that assessment. The DW PE

has already also told me that the tribunal service do not have the

power to say someone should not be reassessed, as was the case in this

case. How is the Government defending this? The Government say

this is about getting people into the workplace if possible, they say

that the policy involves regular reassessment as health issues and

conditions change over time. The Government say only a small

proportion of the decisions are overturned on appeal. Citizens

Advice Bureau say 80% of the people they have seen are having appeals

overturned. A Sussex care home for dementia

patients is under investigation after complaints from the relatives

of its residents. Conditions at the Bramber care home in Peacehaven are

being looked at by both the Care Quality Commission and East Sussex

County Council. Mark Sanders is in Peacehaven for us now. Mark, what

has triggered this inquiry? Well, we can reveal tonight that two

separate complaints were made about this care home, a care home which

caters for about 20 people with dementia type illnesses, and that

was the trigger for what the county council calls a safeguarding

investigation which it expects to conclude in the New Year. All this

follows a recent report by the care watchdog, the seat you see, into the

home, which said a number of improvements have to be made. `` the

CQC. It is also worth stressing that the

CQC found that the staffing levels here were adequate. Has there been a

response from the care home today? We did approach the care home for a

comment, and someone who would not give their name but said they were

the manager, not the owner, said they had nothing to add to what the

county council has been saying today. The county council stresses

there has been a recent change in ownership here and stresses that

some of the issues raised may predate the current management.

In a moment, the way is cleared for a ?2 billion theme park in Kent as

the Government rules out one option for a lower Thames crossing. The

Government says it is going to get tough on legal highs, the substances

which mimic the effects of illegal drugs, and have led to at least 52

deaths in the UK. Lewes MP and Home Office minister Norman baker has

announced a review of the issue, a move he promised in October on this

programme following our report about a man from Gravesend who died, his

family believe, after taking a legal high. Mr Baker hopes the law can be

toughened to make it easier to outlaw such substances.

This is Exodus Damnation, it nearly killed Matt in October. Now the

Government says it wants to crack down on the trade of these so`called

legal highs. We want to look at the whole concept, to examine practice

elsewhere in the world to see what works and what does not. Most

importantly, we want to make sure importantly, we want to make sure

that our young people in particular are protected from dangerous drugs

which they think may be legal and may be safe when they are not. 52

people died last after taking synthetic drugs. In October, Jimmy

Guichard from Gravesend died of a massive heart attack and severe

brain damage. His family say the toxicology report from the coroner

has come back clean. No alcohol or illegal substances were in his

blood. They believe he died from a legal high. Today's review was

welcomed by his family and by the mother of Brighton student Hester

Stewart, who has been leading a campaign against legal highs after

her daughter died in 2009. It is something we have been waiting for

for an awfully long time, and it makes a change from feeling as if we

are a voice in the wind. The Government have not to date, as far

as we are concerned, taken the as we are concerned, taken the

responsibility they should have. It is difficult to legislate against

legal highs, when the chemical compounds keep changing, and there

is clearly a demand. The company who sells them have just opened a new

shop here in Ashford. I do not think it gives the right impression to the

younger generation, the kids, if they see a shop promoting it, they

will think it is OK. If you try it, you are more likely to get on worse

stuff. If that is the way you want to live, the Government are not

going to change it. Happy days, I think! The review, which may lead to

weaving changes in legislation, will report in the spring of next year.

`` sweeping changes. Kent Police is under investigation

following the death of a woman who they had been in contact with over

domestic`related issues. Anne`Marie Birch's body was found in

Broadstairs in November. Four people will be interviewed by the

Independent Police Complaints Commission, who are looking at

potential gross misconduct. The IPCC will also look at Kent Police's

contact with Mrs Birch's husband. Gatwick Airport says it's unlikely

to build a second runway if Heathrow expands. The Davies Commission is

due to reveal the potential sites to meet more airport capacity in the

South East next week. New figures released today showing a 4% rise in

Gatwick passengers on last year, strengthening their bid for a

runway. The owner of a Sussex bridal shop

has written to customers apologising for leaving them without their

wedding dresses and refunds after she disappeared with no explanation.

This week, one of her customers, Claire Lloyde, told the programme

she was devastated when there was no trace of the wedding dress she had

paid for. Natalie Wileman now admits that her customers were not treated

properly when she suffered cash`flow problems.

Primary schools in the South East are falling below the national

average for the percentage of pupils achieving the expected level in

reading, writing and maths. It followed the news yesterday that the

education watchdog Ofsted puts Medway schools second to bottom in

the whole country. Although some areas have done well, most of our

local authorities fell below national levels. Across England, 75%

of pupils achieve level four in all three subjects. Brighton and Hove

outperformed this with 79% of pupils reaching that standard. And Medway,

which last year came bottom in the country, has seen an improvement,

with 71% of pupils getting level four. But that still makes it the

seventh worst performing area in the country. Out of 152 authorities, it

is dreadful and shameful that this situation should be allowed to

continue. Something has to be done. Well, our reporter Chrissie Reidy is

in Chatham for us now. Chrissie, so there's been some improvement, but

still results in that area fall below the national standard? Some

improvement, Rob, as you said, they were rock bottom last year, so it

would be difficult not to improve on that, unless they were going to stay

at the bottom of the league table. Medway Council say there is still

work to do, but there is slight improvement, illustrating that the

gap is now closing when it comes to the national average Key stage two.

So a slight improvement, yes, but the bigger question is whether it is

enough of an improvement. OK, thank you.

A huge ?2 billion resort and theme park in North Kent can now go ahead

as planned following today's announcement by the Government that

a new Thames crossing at Swanscombe has been ruled out.

However, ministers are still yet to decide between the two remaining

options, a second crossing at Dartford or one east of Gravesend.

Simon Jones reports. It is one of the worst areas for

delays in the country. The Government is convinced of the need

for a new crossing, but not at Swanscombe, where plans to create a

giant new theme park can now proceed. We felt it was important to

allay any uncertainty about that as soon as possible, because there is

exciting development potential projects down that particular

peninsula. The theme park would be around the same size as Disneyland

Paris, made up of indoor attractions, theatres and hotels. It

could create 27,000 jobs and open in 2019, but it had been in doubt

before the announcement. Would you like to go on holiday to a

world`class resort with a motorway flyover across the side of its? The

answer is no, so that is a concern to us. In Swanscombe, many are

relieved. If it means more investment and less traffic, I

cannot see how that is a bad thing. If it brings people to this corner

of the UK, it needs some kind of boost, I think, in Kent. So option B

at Swanscombe has been rejected, but still on the table is option A, a

crossing alongside the existing one, and option C, east of Gravesend, in

a highly sensitive area environmentally. John Dick, who

lives there, says this just means more uncertainty. Property prices

have been badly affected in this area, because people are choosing

a decision has been made. But at a decision has been made. But at

this haulage firm near Dartford, they say east of Gravesend is the

way forward. If it were at Dartford, all you are doing is slightly

alleviating the problem, not taking traffic away from the M25 and the

A13. That is the problem every night and every morning. Now that

Swanscombe has been ruled out for the site of the new crossing, the

Government says it hopes to decide as soon as possible between the

remaining two micro sites, although remaining two micro sites, although

that is unlikely before May next year.

This is our top story tonight. A Sussex doctor has described as

inhumane and barbaric the treatment of a cancer patient who is being

forced to undergo a review of his fitness to work. David Cole, who has

lung cancer, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver, has been

told his entitlement to benefits will be reviewed. Earlier this year

a tribunal ruled that he was unfit for work.

Also in tonight's programme, the prison officer who has shed half his

body weight in two years and is now looking to tackle a double marathon.

And the labrador with a taste for golf ` we meet Wilson, who was left

feeling under par when he ate seven golf balls.

When Phil and James get married in Brighton next spring, they will be

making history. The couple from Portslade say they're overwhelmed

after registering for the first same`sex wedding in the country. It

will be at 9am on the 29th of March, the day when gay couples will be

given the same rights as heterosexual ones. For tonight's

special report, Juliette Parkin has been to meet the two men as they

prepare for their big day. Having a special inscription made

would be even more special. Planning for the most important day of their

lives, one which will surely go down in history. It was a rush down to

the Town Hall for Phil Mackie `` Phil and James as soon as it was

announced that same`sex couples could marry from March next year,

and they bagged the first slot. We should be able to do, no matter

whether you are male, female, the right should be there for anyone and

everyone to be able to be there sells and be with who they want to

be with. `` to be their cells. Brighton's annual Pride festival has

long celebrated diversity in the city. Communities here have embraced

the legislation, which campaigners say the result of over 20 years of

struggle for equality. The fact that, from March, same`sex couples

will be given the same legal rights as their brothers and sisters and

parents and grandparents who are married is phenomenal, and it is a

real sign of how far Britain has come in terms of equality. I would

like to formally recognise that Stephen and Dennis are now

married... But celebrations in Australia last weekend were short

lived. There, the High Court has overturned legislation allowing gay

marriage in the Australian Capital Territory, declaring the unions of

around 27 couples in valid. And some in the UK are still fiercely

opposed. It is natural for a man and a woman together in a way that it is

not natural for a man and a man or a woman and a woman to come together.

Nothing could dampen the spirits of this couple. Everything is a blow,

just jumping around like an idiot because it is so exciting. `` a

blur. In March, they will make history in

starting their married future together.

Juliette is in Brighton now. How is this going to differ from civil

partnerships, which have been around since 2004? Well, legally, the

rights are essentially the same, but it is the word and the meaning of

the word that counts. Phil and James will walk out of those doors as a

married couple, something they never dreams could happen. The ceremony

involves spoken words and signing a register, whereas civil partnerships

can be as basic as two names on a piece of paper. There can be

religious elements, too, but it seems the majority of faith groups

remain opposed to gay marriage. When he weighed in at 24 stone two

years ago, Kent prison officer Matthew Jane struggled with climbing

a flight of stairs, and the idea of going for a run was absolutely out

of the question. But after losing nearly half his body weight,

Matthew's taken on a unique fundraising challenge, running

back`to`back marathons. Between the prisons in Dover and Maidstone.

Peter Whittlesea caught up with him at home in Harrietsham.

These are my work trousers from two years ago, this was me at my

biggest, a size 44 waist. Matthew has shed ten stone and ten inches

from his waist in just two years, and this is the picture to prove it.

The prison officer from Harrietsham gave up smoking and went to the

gym. Now he is about to do a double marathon for charity. Basically, I

have probably taken 20 years back on my lifestyle, given up smoking, feel

a lot more energetic, a lot more time with my family. The challenge

of running two marathons back`to`back, how tough is that?

Very, very hard. I did a marathon this year, hit the wall at 21

miles, so I am under no illusion how hard this is going to be. Matthew

will be running from Dover to Maidstone prison and is putting up

posters along the route. His workmates say he is an inspiration.

The change in him is incredible, to lose the amount of weight he has in

the time he has is absolutely superb, you know, such a vast

amount. He has about half his size as to what he was before. So it is

very difficult to put into words what he has achieved. It is the

longest run Matthew has ever undertaken, and he hopes to complete

the distance in eight hours, with well`wishers bearing him on in towns

and villages along the route. Wow! That is impressive. Some of us

say that golf is a good walk ruined. And for Wilson the chocolate

labrador, golf ruined him ` after he swallowed seven golf balls. He had

to undergo major surgery to remove the balls when he was out for a walk

at Forest Row golf club. at Forest Row golf club.

We know dogs can have big appetites, but Wilson here is in a league of

his own. Out for a walk the other day at the local golf club, his

tummy started rumbling, so he went hunting for a snack. I let him off,

I did not realise that he was near the practice balls. And I thought he

only 81. In fact, he ate many more. As you can see, he ate seven golf

balls, so we had to operate. That was half of the golf course, a lot

of grass in there. Wilson is not the only dog who has swallowed something

unusual, but Marvin seems to be making a rattling sound and his

owners discovered he had eaten stones whilst on a trip to the

beach. Betty from Swanley swallowed an entire toy arrow, which was so

long she could not lie down. And in Sussex, this cocker spaniel's owner

said she was mortified after a trip to the vets revealed he had eaten

her knickers from her bedroom floor. Now, Wilson wears a muzzle when he

goes for a walk. He does not like it very much, but at least he won't be

who bring up any more golf balls. `` manoeuvring.

Now, he has had a promising first season on the world's biggest motor

racing stage, Formula One. Now former Ardingly College schoolboy

Max Chilton is hoping his form will earn him another chance to impress

next year. The 22`year`old is back home in Surrey, and he's waiting to

hear whether his team, Marussia, will retain him for next season.

Neil Bell reports. Chilton in the first of the

Marussias`macro... Oh, Maldonado! A Marussias`macro... Oh, Maldonado! A

huge crash, this will be a safety car. Not everything went according

to plan, but Max Chilton is justifiably proud of his

achievements. We managed to secure tenth place and beat Caterham, which

was our target at the start of the year, and I have also managed to set

a rookie record of finishing all 19 Grands Prix, which broke the record

of 16, and it will never be beaten. It is a really good year, I am

hoping to be there next year. A few years ago he was at a school in

Sussex, where he received plenty of encouragement. I only live half an

hour from there now, and a lot of my friends from there still my best

mates, it was a great school, I loved it. Max is not the only member

of his family involved in motor raising. His older brother has

enjoyed a six is full season in the world during a. `` a successful

season in the World During Car championship.

We have only raised once, that was fantastic. As impressive as Max's

first season was, his challenge now is to start moving up the grid to

challenge the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

There is an old Chinese curse about living in interesting times, and the

weather is getting more interesting! Yes, we have got used to that

settled weather, but it is all changed over the next couple of

days, a mild but wet picture in the early hours of tomorrow morning, dry

on Saturday, but breezy, more rainfall Saturday. Earlier, lots of

cloud, but by the afternoon we start to see mist and fog taking a time to

clear. Temperature is very similar to what we have been seeing this

week, highs of eight or nine degrees, south`westerly winds just

starting to pick up, and they will continue to do so through the

night. By contrast, staying very mild tonight, eventually some rain.

First thing, with clear skies, mist and fog, but through the night we

will see the winds pick up, lots of cloud cover, like and patchy rain

and drizzle, but look at the week. The rain will be turning quite heavy

from the morning, all of us at some point seeing some rain, plenty of

cloud cover around, but temperatures still relatively mild, highs just

about in double figures, nine or 10 degrees. Again, the south`westerly

winds, around 15 or 20 mph, quite a breezy picture. Through the first

part of tomorrow night, seeing that rain for a time, clearing out of the

way, then clear skies, temperatures tumbling to three or four degrees. A

bright start to Saturday, staying dry, more rain on Sunday, and that

will be staying with us into the new week. Over the next couple of days,

interesting, turbulent weather. Dave. `` for Sunday.

I will be back with the late news, Joy me then. `` join me then.