08/09/2016 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight's headlines:

Figures obtained by Wales Today show more GP surgeries than ever

are closing or being taken over by their Local Health Board.

If we are not understood and supported now I think the sad

news for patients and communities, it's going to spell the end

of what we understand to be the family doctor.

So why is the system under so much pressure and how can things change?

They targeted Asian families and stole valuable jewellery.

An organised crime gang has been jailed for a total

They provide some of our most vital services.

But councils won't merge for at least another decade,

And 50 years after the opening of the first Severn crossing -

the dawn of a new economic era for south Wales.

By the time the veichles start up it should be 87 hours.

More GP surgeries here are either closing or being taken

by their local health boards than ever before.

And according to figures seen by this programme, which were

gathered by the grassroots organisation GP Survival,

A sentiment backed by the British Medical Association

and the Royal College of GPs in Wales.

An empty waiting room at a doctor's surgery is normally a welcome sight

GP, Dr Naoko Koto, has been running the Horeb

surgery in Treorchy on her own for a year.

She is handing back the surgery's contract to the Cwm Taf Local

Health Board, her thousands of patients have to find a new GP.

Looking after 3,200 patients on my own, I felt I was burning out.

It was not sustainable as a long-term option.

Difficulties around recruiting new GPs across Wales is

I've been working in the Valleys for the last three

Last year, locum GP, Sophie Quinney, sent Freedom of Information

requests to all seven local health boards in Wales.

She wanted to know how many GP surgeries have closed since 2010.

She also asked how many had handed back their contract and

were now run directly by the health boards.

12 months on, she has asked the same questions again and the

figures suggest the situation is getting worse.

We have seen a catastrophic rise in the number of surgeries that

have had to hand back their contracts in recent times.

If we are not understood and supported now, I think the sad

news for patients and communities, it is going to spell

the end of what we understand to be the family doctor.

I think it is a terrible loss for a community,

people really benefit from knowing their GP and certainly

as GPs, we benefit from knowing our patients and seeing that through.

In the past year, eight surgeries in North Wales have been taken over

In Cwm Taf, five surgeries have given

But in Cardiff and Vale, there was some better news.

No surgeries have been taken over by the health board

Across Wales, 20 GP surgeries had to close or be taken over

in just one year compared to 33 in the previous five

But the figures suggest proportionally more of the

struggling practices are being taken over by the health board rather

Things are getting worse but there are solutions out there.

The first one is we need an increased share of the

NHS budget to be spent where it affects people most, with their

We have fallen into historic lows with funding and

that needs to change to address this crisis.

Whatever happens to solve this problem it will come too

She's leaving Horeb and Treorchy to work at another GP surgery.

A trend professionals say needs to change and fast.

So why is the system under so much pressure

Here's the assessment of our health correspondent, Owain Clarke.

A slick video trying to address a tricky question. How do you attract

new GPs to working Valleys communities like the Rhondda? It is

rewarding as a GP, and you make a change to people's lives. There has

been a shortage of four years despite sickness rates are among the

highest in Britain. This Doctor looks after 8000 patients. There's

been a surgery that has closed further up the valley so there are

changes that are happening because of the lack of recruitment. We

needed to change things to see what we can do to improve things for the

patients. Those changes include efforts by local surgeries to work

together. They can see patients instead of GPs when it is

appropriate. Here come if you need to check on your blood pressure, you

can do it yourself. Trying get this part of your RAM into the machine.

Trying to get doctors to see that nations they really need to see. My

own blood pressure reading isn't something should be worried about.

There has talk about increasing and relentless pressure on GPs working

in areas like this one. One of the main complaint is that the money

spent on GP surgeries in Wales as a percentage of the total had budget

has gone down. The demands of an ageing population are greater than

ever. GPs are getting older, a quarter in Wales are nearing

retirement. Others are packing it in because of the workload and weekend

revealed in a civvy due out soon almost half of family doctors said

they would not recommend a career general practice. I haven't seen any

improvement in the last three years. Things are getting worse and that is

what I am hearing from my colleagues across Wales. The doctors union has

been warning about this for years. We have an impending recruitment

crisis for general practice. Then, Doctor Lewis was secretary of the

BMA in Wales. Last year, he was hired by the Welsh Government to

work with the GPs to find solutions. Is that a crisis? I don't think

there is a crisis within health services in West Country. We have in

place the appropriate plans to try to address the huge challenges that

I've already alluded to. He does admit that are too few GPs in Wales

and changes need to happen faster. More money and GPs alone, he says,

will not be enough without weight change. In order to enable the GP to

have enough time to see the patient they really need to see, we need to

use the range of other health professional services and the other

services in general. The question is, how would you make those big

changes when GPs say they are struggling each and every day? It'll

take more than just a snazzy video. Owain, lots of pressures on GPs

being talked about there. Nobody denies that are big

challenges here that need to be addressed quickly. The Welsh

Government needs to be listening to them. There is a slightly different

emphasis about what needs to be done now. The groups representing GPs

say, there is a real risk of services collapsing, we need

resources pumped in straightaway we can't go on. Richard Lewis in his

first interview in the job says, money isn't everything here. Unless

we change the way services are delivered, demand will almost always

outstrip supply. The model he wants you to think about is the GB as a

captain of a team. Some people might say, perfectly reasonable for me to

see a nurse if all I need is a test. Other people would say, the GP is

the person I trust, that is the person I'd want to see. Remember,

almost every part of the health service says it is facing more

pressure than ever before. Two weeks ago we talked about intensive care

units. GPs would say if they do their job stress, the pressure

pressure on the rest of the health system are reduced.

An organised crime gang has been jailed for a total of more than 43

years following a spate of burglaries across north Wales

The men from the traveller community stole items worth

This was the moment one of the gang was arrested,

part of a co-ordinated series of raids involving more than 100

John James Purcell was detained at a travellers site in Wrexham.

He and his colleagues carried out a series of burglaries in spring

and summer last year in north Wales, the north west of England,

and the Midlands targeting predominantly Asian families

who were storing high value jewellery at their homes.

Often the gold is purer than in Western jewellery.

Burglary is a dramatic instance for anybody.

The impact of these burglaries was potentially more

because of the mess they created and the items

That is why it is a priority, any offence burglary is a priority

It'll remain a priority to the police.

Most of the victims were originally from the Indian subcontinent,

Many follow the custom of passing valuable jewellery to their children

but these burglaries have caused many to change their ways.

Dr Farook Jishi from Wrexham knows some of those who were targeted.

Many of these items are handed down generation after generation so they

have got a lot of sentimental value in addition to the fact they are

gold from the Asian subcontinent which is high carat and people have

They hired a safe deposit box or whatever.

Three families made up the majority of the gang which was well

coordinated and used stolen high performance cars

They tried to destroy forensic evidence by using bleach

And they donned clothes, hats and even Beatles style wigs

from charity shops to disguise themselves.

But thanks to information from witnesses and CCTV cameras

the gang aged from 17 to 47 was identified and caught.

Nine men were jailed for between two and six and a half years.

The judge Niclas Parri told them this was professional criminal

conduct which left homeowners terrified.

A man accused of murdering a schoolgirl from Flintshire 40

years ago has appeared at Mold Crown Court.

Stephen Hough, who's 57 and from Flint, is charged

with the rape, sexual assault and murder of 15-year-old

He spoke only to confirm his name via video link.

The case was adjourned until December.

An inquest has heard how three men died in a head-on collision

involving a driver almost twice over the drink-drive alcohol limit.

Driver William Ryan, who was 29, and his passenger Ross Dickinson,

also known as Jodie, died when his Ford Fiesta collided

with a Peugeot near Tal y Bont in the Conwy Valley last October.

82-year-old Paul Gardner, who was a passenger

A head teacher has defended excluding 72 pupils from regular

classes for not complying with uniform rules.

Pupils at Denbigh High School were disciplined on the first day

of term on Monday for breaches of policy including "the wearing

of inappropriate trousers, skirts, and footwear".

The school's head says its uniform policy had been outlined

Councillors in Powys have called on their cabinet to postpone

the closure of two schools in the county.

They want to see Llandrindod and Builth schools given

There's much uncertainty about the future of education

across the county despite the relief for some parents last week

that Brecon High school and Gwernyfed were probably

Home time at Brecon's Welsh language primary. High school is just across

the road but maybe not for these pupils. It plans to close the web

stream at the high school go ahead, they will have to travel to Builth

Wells. There are mixed emotions here today they could be another

consultation. I think it is good they are going to consult again on

the Welsh medium as it seems to have been overshadowed by the Gwernyfed.

I am curious as to why we're having another consultation. I don't think

peopleopinions have changed. It is part of a bigger plan to reshape

education. Among those at full council today, Councillor Ratcliffe

from Hay on Wye, much cheered by a report which he believes has saved

Gwernyfed high school from closure. It goes to show that community is

coming together can influence a council. As a local member, we had

duly elected and we need to listen to our residents and work with them

to come up with plans. More uncertain was this parent from

a primary school ten miles away. Even though closure plans here look

likely to be abandoned. I went to that school and I have seen my two

daughters going to be there. It is hurtful and we have got to keep

these rural schools going. There is still a lot to consider,

says the cabinet member for education. It is a huge challenge

and I think the schools is in emotional topic. Residents but don't

want to lose these schools from the communities. In reality, any school

under 50 is not viable. The councils across rural Wales, the issue of

surplus places has been a key factor in the reorganisation. Today, the

Education Minister reiterated her commitment to looking at the issues

facing rural schools. This is a priority for me. In the agreements

is busy myself at the First Minister, we have agreed to look at

effective policies of the sustainability of a rural education.

We have said clearly that counts is what the direction of travel is and

we will be giving further details and do cause.

It could be an important change in policy here in mid Wales. Children

in Brecon head for home and those in charge of their education will be

heading home as well to rethink what should happen next.

50 years after it opened the first Severn crossing has carried hundreds

We look at its impact on South Wales.

And thousands of people turn out to support the Tour of Britain cycle

Councils here won't merge for at least another decade.

That's according to Carmarthenshire's leader,

who's had assurances that his local authority will remain

Plans to reduce the 22 local authorities here to eight or nine

were scrapped earlier this year, now it appears the status quo

That specific plans reduce in number of councils to single figures we

know has gone. What we don't know is that the man in charge of reform,

Mark Drakeford, is coming into depleted. We have got the leader of

Carmarthenshire Council saying Mr Drakeford told him this week that

Carmarthenshire and presumably all the other councils in Wales will

remain in place for a decade. This is a story that has not been denied

by the government today. It goes too far to say that Mark Drakeford has

let the cat out of the bag because we knew the direction in which they

were going but we have a stronger sense of what is going to happen. It

is likely to be the 22 will survive, they have won the battle to remain

in place. We will see a return to regional partnerships. It is called

collaborative projects in the jargon. Here is the challenge. Cast

your mind back a few years and there was a report called the Williams

Commission which is damning about the attempts by local authorities to

work together, huge amounts of effort for little gain. Talk of

council chief executives spending up to 60% of their time on what is

called collaborative projects. The big job and we will find out more

when Mark Drakeford gives his speech later in the month, is to try to get

all these local authorities working together without creating a

bureaucratic monster. Thank you very much.

It was designed to usher in a new economic era

for South Wales and today marks 50 years since the original

It was cutting edge at the time, improving on American designs

and is credited with having a profound impact on the economy.

Jordan Davies is at the Bridge for us tonight.

This is where you would have got the ferry before the bridge was built.

From here, it is quite something. In its day it was ground-breaking.

Ushering in a new era of bridge building technology. It is still

with verse 50 years on. -- with us. To commemorate the first crossing

of the Severn bridge I have great It was a moment of

national significance and While the Queen became one

of the first to cross, reporters spoke to very

patient paying passengers. A man from Cardiff

was first in the queue. Well, by the time

the vehicles start-up How have you managed

to pass the time away? I brought plenty of my own

entertainment with me. The bridge replaced

this, the Ost Ferry. At a squeeze, it

could carry 19 cars. Before we went on holiday Mike

would take the car with all the cases in and leave it

so we would be first or second in That is what most of

the locals did, wasn't it? Construction was a high wire act

using these catwalks, in took The deck which carries the cars

was ground-breaking. It was designed as

an aerodynamic foil. The same kind of thing

you see on aeroplanes. It is designed to make sure it

doesn't flap around and it was Its cost was to be

recovered through a toll. Originally, two shillings

and sixpence. The tolls are all too

familiar for motorists There was a poem written

about them at the time. "Two lands at last connected,

it crossed the waters wide. "And all the tolls collected

on the English side." 50 years on and the bridge has

carried hundreds of millions of vehicles and employs a

small army of engineers. This, one of the giant

concrete anchors. Robin Shaw is a former

Welsh Government director of transport and

founded the website, What that bridge and bridges do

is open up South Wales There are many companies

particularly companies that are involved in distribution,

that I have no doubt would not be based in South

Wales if it weren't for the bridges. It continues to impress

half a century on. There are estimates this bridge has

been worth tens of billions of pounds to the Welsh economy and this

anniversary comes at a poignant time because it coincides with the 50th

anniversary of the Aberfan disaster. This bridge made it easy for people

to reach that community in the days after that tragedy. It is difficult

to imagine a modern Wales without this bridge.

The Football Association of Wales' bid for Laura McAllister to join

Fifa's ruling council has been halted.

A former Wales player and former Chair of Sport Wales,

Professor McAllister hoped to become the first Brtiish

A regulation, dating back to the 1940s, prevents any home

nation having more than one representative on the council.

Britain's David Gill is already a vice president.

Plenty of Welsh athletes have been in action for Paralympics

GB on the first day of the games in Rio.

Kyron Duke in the F41 shot put while medal hope Aaron Moores failed

to qualify for the final of S14 100 metres backstroke, he'll swim again

Rob Davies, Paul Davies and Sara Head also took part

The Tour of Britain cycle race has left Wales after its second day

Stage five started this morning in Aberdare,

where hundreds of people lined the route.

Guys, we need to clear this area, please.

As the Tour of Britain rolled into Aberdare this morning,

on four wheels as well as two, hundreds turned out to see it.

And the support from all ages doesn't go unnoticed at the top.

They pulled intermediate sprints outside schools so the kids get to

The amount of people out on the road and the flags, it

Especially for younger people to be able to see big stars

I remember watching it when I was younger and being

inspired for some it was one of the reasons I started cycling.

This is how most of the people in the park usually

watch the world's best - on TV.

Many, not cycling fans, just wanted to see such a big show

You see them on TV and we don't get to see them in our area.

It is pretty cool for the Valleys here.

We watched the Olympics and my husband

keeps banging on about Bradley Wiggins.

I live across the road from the park.

It is just something you will not see again.

The race is not long departed and you might say it is over in a

One thing is for sure, this is a big event for the Council and

they will want to host it time it time and time again.

I know today is the culmination of the investment that

has been put in by Rhondda Cynon Taff Council and the Welsh

Government, to bring the event here to Rhondda Cynon Taff.

It is hotly contested amongst many counties

Others may not be so happy to see some of the entourage return.

One Welsh cyclist having a close call with the Team Sky coach.

They've apologised, calling it unacceptable.

The Tour left Wales for Bath today, a 205km ride finished in just hours.

Rhondda Cynon Taff Council will be hoping the clear up

There is more dry weather to come tomorrow but we have some rain in

the forecast. Aberystwyth was the warmest place yesterday, 26 Celsius.

Cool and fresh today, only 18 Celsius with a brisk breeze. This

evening, we have got a change. Showers will spread across the

country. Further scattered showers overnight. My but not as a humid and

close as it has been. Quite breezy at the coast. Tomorrow we've got a

developing area of low pressure over the Atlantic. That will move

bringing in some wet and windy weather to the north and west of the

British Isles. Here is depiction of eight o'clock in the morning. Not

too bad that the stage. They will be some clouds around but bright in

places. Light winds but breezy in the west on the coast. Tomorrow

morning, the best part of the day. More dry weather into the afternoon

but one or two showers likely in places. Rain will reach the far

north and west towards tea-time. The wind increasing true, gale force in

the Northwest. Ghosts up to 60 mph. Temperatures little higher than

today. The humidity rising. Rain will spill across the whole country

in the evening, some of it heavy. By the end of the night, the north and

west, most of mid Wales should be dry. The wind falling light. On

Saturday, they might be a little rain in the south-east at times but

that'll clear. A decent day, dry and bright with a little sunshine.

Cooler and fresh again. The BBC Proms in the park is taking part --

placing Colwyn Bay. Take a blanket, it will turn cool. Cindy's forecast

keeps changing. It's all hinges on this low over the Atlantic. I think

a chance of dry weather with increasing winds. I should have a

better idea tomorrow. Changeable over the next few days, some dry and

bright weather but some rain and wind as well.

More GP surgeries here are either closing or being taken

by their local health boards than ever before.

And according to figures seen by this programme, which were

gathered by the grassroots organisation GP Survival,

I'll be back with a quick update at 8.00pm and more

The stars are out for a glittering night of awards,

who've dedicated their lives to helping others...