30/09/2013 Spotlight

Concerns over the work of a cardiologist at the Royal Cornwall

Hospital, an investigation has been launched.

Good evening. Welcome to Spotlight. The consultant's clinical work has

been restricked for the time being. The hospital is trying to find out

if patients have been affected We think we have identified about four

patients are where there is potential for harm. Those cases, it

is being looked into to see if there has been any actual harm. Also

claims that children were beaten with canes as a community in Devon.

It allegedly took place at the Twelves Tribes centre near Honiton

and happy biday Spotlight as we look back at half a century of

broadcasting in the south—west. —— birthday.

A heart specialist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital has been told to

stay at home while concerns about his work are investigated.

The trust is assessing whether any of his patients have dom harm. It

has been revealed that more than 300 patients have had long delays for

follow up appointments. The consultancy cardiologist who hasn't

been named by the trust is one of eight at Royal Cornwall. He has been

told not to come to work, while the review is under way. His practise

includes performing procedures such as angioplasty and staff raised

questions. We would like to reassure patients

we are showing good governance in the hospital by making sure that we

are are checking what we are doing. We are looking back on one

consultant's practise where there is concern raised. Making sure if there

is any harm been done to patients we identify that and put it right. We

think having looked back so far we have identified about four patients

where there is potential for harm. Those case, patients are being

looked inin detail. A second issue that puts patients at risk has been

highlighted by Professor Sir Roger Boyle. The former national direct

for for heart disease says too many have waited too long for

appointments. It ing looks as though the administrative process has not

characterised these patients as accurately as they should have been.

It is important this is resolved. I am a cardiologist myself, I am no

longer licenses to practise otherwise I would volunteer to help.

They need to look at the workings of the department.

275 patients are waiting for follow up appointments and 82 planned

investigation, some have been waiting for nine months. The trust

says all will be seen by the end of November. Extra clinics have been

laid on. Locum doctors taken on and another two new permanent consultant

cardiologists will be recruised —— recruited. The trust is checking the

notes. If there is concern raised about the wait we have a process

where we will identify that, do an investigation and learn from it.

That will be part of the process of review, to identify any harmful

Those deemed at the highest risk are being made a priority.

And Sally is with me now. So another investigation into a consultant's

work, just months after the Rob Jones case. This is going to damage

confidence in the hospital, isn't it? Interestingly the trust says it

should inspire confidence, what happened with Rob Jones is that he

was allowed to continue to practise for 12 years, despite people raising

concerns about his work. The trust was criticised for failing to take

action sooner. What has happened with this case, is that colleagues

felt able to speak up about their worry, and managers responded

immediately, by restricting the practice of the cardiologist and

launching an investigation, what the trust says is partly in response to

Mid Staffs hospital scanned 8 the culture has changed. They say the

quick reaction on this occasion is a sign of what they call good

governance so patients should be reassured if there is the potential

to harm it is likely to come to light quickly.

Next tonight, claims that children were beaten with canes at a

religious community in Devon are being investigated by the police and

Social Services. Stentwood Farm is run by Twelves Tribes, a Christian

orali which bases education on biblical teachings. Our home affairs

correspondent joins us from Exeter. What more you tell us? The

allegation is that children have been beat within a small reed like

rod. These allegations were passed to Devon and Cornwall Police and the

social service, in a brief joint statement, both the police and Cowen

sail say they have received the allegation, and they say they are

working together to review the information received is. So what do

Twelves Tribes say? We went to Stentwood Farm this afternoon, we

were asked to leave, almost immediately, and told no—one would

be providing an interview. Twelves Tribes have not responded to our

question for any comment, but they have defended using spanking as a

punishment, all though they say the aim is to tin flict pain and not to

wound. How much concern have these allegations caused? The children's

charity, the NSPCC have voiced concerns about the punishment used

by Twelves Tribes. It is not illegal, under British law to smack

a child, so long as it is not sufficiently hard to leave a mark.

But the NSPCC are conSerbed about that.

—— concerned. At the moment, it is a blurred area, I mean parents can use

reasonable chastisement, but what we are saying simply, is that children

ought to have the same rights as adults when it comes to protection

from physical assaults. What we are not saying is that children should

have the run of the house, the run of the school, do what they want.

Children must learn to grow up with boundaries are and they must

understand when they break the boundaries they there are

consequences to that. Have there been other concerns is

about Twelves Tribes? Yes in Germany round 40 children were removed by

police and Social Services from two of their communities there, so there

have been other concerns. Thank you very much.

There are renewed calls to make kill cords compulsory on speed boatses.

It follows the accident earlier this year in Padstow. The campaign is

being led bay Dorset man, Heddon Johnson whoiz son was killed by a

run away speed boat 13 years ago. —— whose son. May this year, and a

tragedy on the estuary. The Milligan family were run over by their own

speed boat as it raged out of control. Nick and his eight—year—old

daughter Emily died from their injuries.

Exactly what happened that day is still under investigation, but what

is known is that nobody on the boat at the time of the accident was

wearing one of these, a kill cord. This is wrapped round part of the

skipper's body. If they go overboard it gets yanked off the boat and it

automatically cuts the engine. Heddon Johnson's son was killed in a

speed boat accident 13 years ago. As in Padstow, no—one was wearing a

kill cord. When we took him out on the water, more than half the people

headen approached were still not wearing kill cords.

I just noticed you coming in just now and you weren't attached to your

kill cord. Is that something you do often? Is that an oversight? I tend

to do it when I leave the estuary. He fears more lives will be lost,

unless the laws change to make the wearing of kill cords compulsory.

Education has failed. Now is the time for the law to back up the

wearing of kill cords. Back to that neutral position again.

Excellent. Well done. Boating's goning body the Royal Yachting

Association is firmly opposed to any law making kill cords compulsory.

Even though its own safety courses teach they must be worn whenever

enthe engine is running. Paul wrote the training hand book There is an

danger like an indent like that creates a knee—jerk reaction which

is uninternational communities if #350e78 do it right, most of those

instances wouldn't occur. Heddon started an online petition and is

getting close to the 100,000 signatures needed for the chance of

a debate in Parliament. You can see more on that story on Inside Out on

BBC One tonight, at 7.30. A Royal Marine Corp ral in charge of

training new recruits in deYvonne has pleaded guilty to three charges

of ill—treating new recruits. Peter Clark admitted the offences at a

court martial centre in Portsmouth today. They included hitting one

recruit in the groin with a stick. The driver of a motor home which hit

a group of teenagers in an East Devon village has pleaded guilty to

causing serious injury by dangerous driving. 74—year—old Arnold Kassera

from Germany was at the wheel of the vehicle when it crashed through a

Whitehall in Beer in July. Two teenage girls were seriously hurt.

He will be sentenced at the end of October.

A cross—party group of Cornwall councillors say the council tax

needs to rise by 6% next year, and are calling for a full council

debate on an alternative budget. Existing plans would see a rise of

just under 2% and will be debated in November. Any increase over 2% would

have to be decided by referendum. Coming up next. Why one of the

region's golf courses may be on the move. Plus:

Making a splash. Ozzy the rescue dog pulling swimmers to safety.

And celebrating 50 years of Spotlight. Craig rism joins us to

share some of his memories of the programme.

One of the south—west's best known golf clubs says it could be forced

to sell up and move if plans for a 30 metre high netting round parts of

the course are thrown out. The Exeter Golf and Country Club wants

to stop spray balls going into new hours it claims it won't be able to

get insurance without the protection. Planning officers have

described the scheme as extreme. Despite best intention, no golfer

can hit every shot where they want to. But the risk of damage to people

or property here is rising. These new houses will run right next

to three holes. Any golfball is like a missile, when you hit it in the

wrong direction. Unfortunately sometimes you do, and we would be

bereft if we caused injury or damage to anybody who lived in any of the

houses close to the course, so to us the netting would provide us with

some security, knowing we wouldn't be causing damage. But it is the

height that has fallen foul of the planner, the application is for it

to be 30 metres it will and run for a tune yards. No—one from the

council was available for interview before the meeting tonight. A report

before the planning committee says the scheme is out of visual

character of the area. It describes it as oppressive and overbearing.

The land being developed used to be part of the course. It was taken

over by the Government as part of the war effort and never returned

agents say this is an extreme solution with an unacceptable

impact. It says other parts of the course are no netting. The club says

that is because the gardens are longer, and there is less danger.

We would prefer to have much lower netting, but it is our golf

architect that is telling us that and the insurers have confirmed,

unless we put netting up, our insurance could be invalidated. The

club says rerouting the course would be too ex epensive and disruptive so

it may have to move if it can find somewhere else after nearly 90 years

here. —— expensive.

On to sport and Dave has news of a largely dispointing weekend for

south—west teams. It was indeed. Yeovil Town can count

themselves unlucky not to have won at Bolton wanderer, there was a

little generosity for patrol on the's keeper to give the glovers the

lead. Yeovil's players thought the ball had gone out of play before the

goal was scored. In League Two Exeter City are

striding away from their Devon rival, a 2—1 for them at Fleetwood

town has lifted them to sixth. Former professional footballer Chris

Hargreaves is we me to discuss the results. Ter, city, losing at home

last week, they know how to bounce back I will use Alan handsel's

phrase of bounce backability. You know it is going to be a day when

you put your centre half up front and he produces a finish like that.

Scott Bennett, an excel lent finish. A good cos from Alan Gou. On the

balance of the play, they did deserve it, and he is going for a

starting spot up front. Plymouth Argyle, everybody expected them to

beat Accrington Stanley but they didn't. Very disappointing result.

It would have been different had one of the chances gone in the first ten

minutes. That goes across the keeper, hit the post. And we have

another chance here, he was brave but really had to score. He slid

through well, got to score, changes it the complexity of the game and

five losses this season. Not good enough. Torquay yachted —— United

won at play moor but lose at Newport County. Newport are not doing too

badly. I expected Torquay to do better and losing goals won't help

from set pieces. Yakubu got the first one. They wish it was Leeds

Yakubu, his brother. Danny Crow scores in what is disappointing

because no—one has tracked the runner. Didn't do credit to that

goal. Thank you for joining us.

The big rugby match this weekend saw reigning champions Leicester Tigers

get the better of the Chiefs. Leicester built up a 15—0 lead by

the interval. Gareth Steenson reduced the margin

to six points talent restart but they failed to score a try, despite

some sustained pressure. Plymouth Raiders went down in their

opening basketball game of the league season. They suffered a 79—70

lost to London Lions. The closest Raiders came was when they were

eight points adrift later on. Finally, Somerset have received a

blow attend of the cricket season, their England one day wicket keeper

Joss Buttler has left the ground to join Lancashire. Butler is renowned

for his batting style and will be sorely missed. That is it from me on

this Monday evening. Now, St Bernards are well—known for

being Mountain Rescue dogs but their sea—based equivalents have been in

Plymouth hoping to raise money for charity. Launching from boats the

team of Newfoundlands showed off their skills pulling swimmers to

safety. Ozzy is six. He has all the

credentials of a top lifeguard. Double fit coat for natural

buoyancy, a rudder like tail and flaps of skip between his paws which

act as paddles. The Newfoundland is the UK's swimming canine champion,

the most important thing with the dogs is they are very strong, to

pull people through the water, they can pull at least ten, 11 people at

a a time. One dog, which is amazing. Dozens of people squeezed on to the

pontoon at Queen Anne's battery to watch them in action.

It has been brilliant. We have come down and see a lot turn out with the

Newfoundlands ed and come up to see them obviously do their stuff in the

water. Only seen it before on TV, seeing it in real life is amazing.

They are wonderful. Most humans who took the plunge were raising money

for Parkinson's UK. What is it like to be rescued by a gentle giant?

Awesome. So cool. What happened? Just jumped off, Darcy swam, I held

on and she pulled me into the boat. Could you feel how slong she is

Really strong, a good swimmer. And when it is all over, time for a

nap. —— how strong she is.

Aren't they lovely. Clever as well. Now, 1963 was a momentous year, The

Beatles were top of the charts. Doctor Who appeared for the first

time and the Great Train Robbery took place, it was 50 years ago that

the very first Spotlight news programme took place. All threejal

television started in 1961 it wasn't until 1963 that Spotlight as we know

it started. Carol has been taking a look back at some of the famous

faces and biggest storeys. For 50 years Spotlight has been

beamed into our homes from the studios in Plymouth.

Remember this? Over the years Spotlight has had many fanfares.

And of course, there were the stories Spotlight has brought to our

screens. Storms in the sea have had a significant role in our region,

from the floods in 1979, to the Fastnet Race that same year.

In is Channel Islands story, take two. And the presenters bringing us

the new, many of whom went on the national fame. This book is set in

Germany during the... Ah! Sorry sorry. I knew I would get that

wrong. We are low on film.

Don't blink or you might miss your favourite.

Behind the scene, the daily Spotlight planning meetings, and the

eager hunt for stories remains as important as ever.

That sounds fine, just what we need. Programme. Let us hope that

something turns up during the day, it usually does. You don't see this

any more, but perhaps by popular demand the presenter's Christmas

carol performance could be reinstated!

Happy memory, I don't think we will bring back Chris mall Carol singing.

As we saw in that report the weather plays a big part in the programme.

David is with us but we are joined tonight by a very special guest. Mr

Craig Rich. Welcome back. Thank you. Lovely to see you all. It is

gorgeous to see you, do you miss this broadcasting lark? Yes and no.

Really? Other things to do, you see s busy old life. It is the best

career I have had, being retired. I bet you are busier than ever. I

am. Lots to do and got the boat, and we are off south of the equator in

about four weeks time. We saw some memories from the last 50 year, what

are the outstanding memories from you? The sad ones that we saw, fast

net and the Penlee lifeboat disaster in 81. The poignant one was going to

Ypres for temperature 80th anniversary of the Armistice, and

doing the programmes Spotlight from the Menin Gate.

Commentating on the start of the it will ships race. Interview Tall

Ships Race. Interviewing the Princess Royal. And yes, and going

to Dunkirk for the 60th anniversary of the happenings there in 1940. You

saw some change, we use mostly computers now, but in the early days

of presenting the weather it was a bit #2ki6 rent. Yes, it was magnetic

symbol, the first night I did it the paint was still wet on the board,

and then you had this handful of magnetic symbols, it had a minute to

do tonight and tomorrow and changed all the symbols round, some would

drop off. It was a stressful start because I was the figs regional BBC

weatherman and they had never done it before, in the sense we had to

rig up the board and everything, but. You became more than the

weatherman you got involved in all sorts of thing, you had a chat show

and all sorts of thing. With the maritime background, when anything

came up to do with boats and the sea I got involved. And the same thing

with David. It is so important. It is time for the weather. Which of

you is going to do it tonight? You won't get me to do it.

Waiting for the, you know, the in and what Russell or Natalie or

Teresa was going to say, you have to be able to respond to it. We have

had a five second wind up. We better stop and find out what the weather

is going to be like. Thank you. Good evening. It is great

to see Craig back in the studio again. It is misty, mild, there

isn't a great deal of change over the next few day, we have a lot of

cloud, and also showers at time, some of those shower s as we saw

through the weekend, a risk of giving us some thunder and hefty

downpour, we have warm up from the south. There is is a big area of low

pressure. In fact it is the same area of low pressure we had last

week. It is acting an an engine. It is sending the warm air our way, it

in southern parts of Scandinavia there is an area of high pressure.

For us we stick with the mild and misty and wet too. This is the

picture by midday. The second system coming in is likely to produce a

fair amount of wet weather into the evening and overnight. Between again

systems of lines of showers on Wednesday. Still, the risk of hefty

downpour, there is the picture from earlier today, there have been a few

breaks in the cloud but where the clearer skies have been they filled

in with low cloud. A few showers coming into west Cornwall across the

Isles of Scilly. Some will move in across the rest of Cornwall, into

Devon. For all of us unusually mielt, breezy, the breeze picks up a

bit through the night, particularly for Cornwall and misty, with low

cloud, hill fog and some coastal fog along the south coast. That is

unusual as we move into the end of the night. Temperatures of 14 to 16

degree, and unusually mild night to come. All the greyness and mistiness

is likely to be back across us, the different is there is more rain

round tomorrow, some turning out to be heavy in places and an unusually

mild day. Temperatures up between 17 and 19.

Similar to what we have seen today. Let us look at earlier today. If my

forecast hasn't depressed you, that will. What a miserable scene at this

airport. The low cloud, the drizzle, the wind, mist and fog, for most of

us that is going to be the case tomorrow. Some brightness possible

in the north of Devon. Briefly some sunny spells, for the Isles of

Scilly expect to see cloud, misty, further showers is likely —— likely.

Times of high water: if you are heading for the beach,

the south coast will have a slight chop to it with the south—east

wizards, here up to three feet, possibly four feet but on the north

coast of Cornwall some lovely surf. Three, maybe four feet. Some decent

waves to enjoy for much of the day. There is the coastal waters

forecast. The winds are south—easterly. Showers and mist

patches and generally moderate or poor visibility out at sea, so poor

visibility not just for tomorrow but for the rest of the week.

On Wednesday, we get a bit of brighter wet earthquake not a great

deal. —— wetter. We are concerned is about some of the rain on Thursday,

particularly for Dorset, it could turn out to be heavy and brighter,

and becoming mainly dry. Have a good evening. Thank you. He is getting

the hang of it, isn't he Craig. He is coming on nicely. Yes. That is it

from us for this 50th anniversary of Spotlight. Thank you for joining u

have a very good evening. Take care. Goodbye.