04/04/2017 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today, tonight's headlines.

A 16% increase in junior doctors choosing Wales to train as GPs

but is it enough to fix the shortages?

It's not something that can be just, we can sit back and say,

So will this ease those long waits for a sugery appointment

or help those communities who have seen their GPs surgery shut?

A burglar's ?40,000 mobile phone bill,

why did North Wales Police pick up the tab?

I'm 16, I want to be a football coach.

I'm 15 and I want to be the next Doctor Who.

I'm 14 and I will keep my options open.

These boys have plenty of ambition so why fewer opportunities

Jaco loves going to the rugby with his dad, actor Richard Mylan.

Tonight how the game has been a big part of dealing with his autism.

Preparing for the Commonwealth Games a year today.

Team Wales aim to win more medals than every before

There's been a 16% increase in the number

of junior doctors coming to Wales to train as GPs.

It follows a decision by the Welsh Government

to offer cash incentives to encourage junior doctors

to train in areas where there are shortages.

Our health correspondent, Owain Clarke, reports.

In the north, the west, in valley communities and beyond

a common complaint has been heard in recnet years.

Some surgeries have closed, others have been taken over

because family doctors are quitting or retiring, and nobody

The aim of this campaign, launched in the autumn

was to try to plug some of those gaps.

To sell Wales to doctors who might never have considered coming.

But this wasn't just an ad, the Welsh Government was also

offering hard cash, including ?20,000 to train to be GPs

And according to the Health Secretary its working.

The new figures show it has been a successful campaign highlighting

the profile of Wales and a career here in general practice.

The specific financial incentives are having a real impact as well

both in areas where it has been difficult to recruit

but also exam fees for new entrants as well.

If they want to become GPs, junior doctors can apply

The Welsh NHs has 136 training places available.

Last year, after the first of three aplication rounds,

But this year at the same stage 114 of the 136 are full

with no vacancies left in Pembrokeshire, North East Wales

Last year at the end of the process there were 29

This year the Welsh Government hopes it might be zero.

I think it is an improving picture but of course

there are significant concerns with the issue

of GPs facing retirement, with also GPs coming through the

profession that are getting fed up and leaving.

It isn't something that can be just, we can sit back and say,

well that is it, we have tackled the problem.

With the day to day job getting ever more stressful,

GP leaders insist the Welsh Government should also do keep

Tracey left Hampshire to become a GP in Mid Wales.

An avid bird watcher, being close to these,

the Dyfi Valley ospreys, was the biggest draw.

I'm not working in a chaotic over busy environment.

I feel better in myself that I can deal with things appropriately

and then I can whizz off to the osprey centre

Local GP surgeries are the front-line of the NHS

with staff in Wales dealing with around 20 million cases a year.

But with demand set to go up even further, meeting it

Owain, this isn't going to fix the problem of GP

If you had to spent weeks for an appointment, spent ages on the phone

booking on in the first one, if you have waited too long to see a GP out

of hours all thief you live in Blaenau Gwent where surgeries have

closed, two dozen extra trainees who will be fully qualified in three

years' time obviously want to make an immediate difference. But saying

that, had the figures today showed a drop in applications or no change

then I think it is fair to say the Welsh Government would have been

facing very tricky questions. They are the question we can't answer

tonight is to what extent could this be a blip? Junior doctors coming to

Wales because they are unhappy about the friction between their groups,

groups representing them and the government in England. Regardless of

motive, the Health Secretary says if they come, patients in Wales will

benefit. The question is, will they keep coming?

North Wales Police paid a phone bill of more than ?44,000 for a mobile

The phone was given to help the offender re-integrate

But because it wasn't a pay-as-you-go,

Our reporter Matthew Richards is at the force's headquarters.

How on earth did this happen? We don't know a lot about the

details but essentially North Wales Police became aware of this in early

2014. The reason we know about it now is because there was a Freedom

of Information request which the police have addressed. This person

was a burglar from Llangefni in Anglesey, they were out on bail and

was given this inexpensive phone. But this card was not a

pay-as-you-go, it is on a contract. They can be taken out and put into

the devices to download films. We think ?250 a day over several

months, eventually reaching ?44,000. Whatever the police have to say?

They said they made an arrest of two people when they became aware of

this but there was insufficient evidence to charge them. They said

they will be no disciplinary action against anyone involved here but

they explained why this phone was given out in the first place. They

do this to help people going through the criminal justice system to keep

in contact with them and two of remind them of appointments. They

said they have tightened up their procedures now to make sure this

does not happen again. Only pay-as-you-go Sim cards are handed

out. This does have the benefit to both the individuals concerned, who

can be vulnerable and to wider society but they want to make sure

this does not happen again. There are people including local

politicians who have written to the police to ask why this public money

has been spent on a big phone bill. A man was found dead outside a

nightclub in the early hours of Saturday. A 26-year-old man will

appear before Llandudno Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

A group which helps victims of abuse is calling

on the Football Association of Wales to hold an inquiry

into historical child sex abuse allegations in the sport.

Wrexham-based Stepping Stones' comments come

after a number of former players based in Wales have come

Both the English and Scottish FAs are holding inquiries.

The FAW says it's committed to safeguarding

A large amount of slurry has spilled into a stream near Abergavenny,

causing a "major pollution incident" affecting the river Honddu.

Natural Resources Wales says it's working to minimise

the impact of the spill and is monitoring the nearby

There are calls tonight for an investigation into a

Welsh council because of the way it treated a girl they took into care.

Her mother says that her daughter is at more risk in care

She's had 17 foster placements over the last four years

and hasn't been to school regularly for two years.

The council says the girl is now in a therapeutic residential unit.

The man who led the Victoria Climbie inquiry says

more needs to be done for children in care.

Too often when things go wrong it can seem like a self fulfilling

prophecy, like, what do you expect from children in care?

We must never, never allow children in care to be written off.

You can see more on this story on BBC One Wales at 10:40pm tonight.

Campaigners are calling for urgent action after

a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission

said disabled people are still being treated

It says that although laws were introduced 20 years ago

banning discrimination, life chances for disabled people

remain very poor and public attitudes haven't changed enough.

Setting up an exhibition ready to launch their new charity book,

there was no shortage of ambition for pupils of Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn this

afternoon at Swansea's Waterfront Museum.

I am James, I am 18 and I want to be a plumber, electrician or carpenter.

I am 15 and I want to be the next Doctor Who.

My name is Cameron and I am 16. I want to be a football coach.

I am Matthew, I am 14 and I will keep my options open.

There are many hurdles and barriers which we will try to embrace and

challenge head-on. Our pupils have got specific skills that they can

bring to employment and be valuable members of the wider community.

Sarah Beer has scoliosis, a spinal condition,

and Sarah-Jane Waters has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome,

The details of the report which highlights the inequality

faced by disabled people is disappointing.

It is very frustrating and I think if we are not careful we could end

up going back to was more Victorian kind of values when it comes to

disability and how we describe disability. That is wrong, that is

inherently wrong. We can contribute to society and you have as much to

offer as an able bodied member of staff.

It is sad that so many things have improved in the last 20 years for

employment and awareness but it is still... We are still going

backwards when it comes to a lot of attitudes around disability.

The report is the most comprehensive analysis. It shows disabled people

here are less likely to have qualifications in a job but in some

aspects of life the city Wei Xin is even getting worse.

The proportion of disabled adults in work you stand at just 40%. Compared

to nearly 80% of non-disabled people. That gap has widened since

2010. It is differences in the amount of money earned. Disabled

people have seen their wages fall by 9% but there wasn't any change from

non-disabled workers. Even getting into work in the first place is

tougher as well. When we look at qualifications, disabled people at

three times more likely to have no qualifications.

The Welsh Government recognises these are long term issues which it

It also says its working with disabled people to review

the framework with the aim of publishing a refreshed action

We want them to realise the impact that has not just on disabled people

themselves but on their families, their communities on the economy.

And to take practical steps to do something about it.

Back in Swansea, while the pupils learn about the past,

change is needed if they're to have a brighter future

Sorry about the sound problems in that report.

Much more to come before seven o'clock.

Jaco braves the rugby crowds with his dad,

Why does he find it so challenging with his autism?

And we've seen the last of the rain for a while.

High pressure means quiet, settled weather but will it

It's the organisation which develops grassroots and elite sport here

and tonight the row over the running of Sport Wales has intensified.

It's been claimed that its sacked chairman, Paul Thomas,

was told by the Welsh Government he was entering a

"toxic environment" and a "dysfunctional"

organisation when he started the job.

Let's talk to our political editor Nick Servini.

We know there has been civil war in this organisation. Paul Thomas was

sacked, the vice chair was fired last week. Paul Thomas's line was he

was sent into this organisation to sort it out by the Welsh Government

and you did not get the support he was expecting. He was hung out to

dry by ministers. The counter view from Adele Baumgardner was he wasn't

up to the job. Problem is only really emerged when he arrived at

Sport Wales. We already knew that the Welsh Government felt it had

gone past the point of no return. That is why both of them were sacked

last week. What we did not know is what the Welsh Government thought

about Sport Wales before these personality clashes erupted. That is

what Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said during

First Minister's Questions. He twice asked Carwyn Jones about this claim

Paul Thomas said he was told by someone within the Welsh Government

before he started the job that it was a toxic environment, it was an

insular organisation and a dysfunctional organisation. Twice

Carwyn Jones failed to answer the question directly. Instead, he

talked more generically about real difficulties the organisation was

facing and the problems because of the personality clash. This is a

central question which is to strip away the personalities, what is the

Welsh Government think of this organisation that spends over ?20

million a year? What does Sport Wales do next?

There is no way back for these two personalities, a temporary chair and

vice-chair are in place. Why do review into the role of Sport Wales

is being carried out now. I suspect it won't be until that review is

finished when we will know the future direction of Sport Wales in

the months ahead. The father of a young boy diagnosed

with autism when he was four, has spoken about how their lives

were thrown into turmoil. The Waterloo Road actor

Richard Mylan and his son Jaco, who's now 11, appear in a BBC

documentary exploring how families adjust to life

and the support available. For Jaco, rugby has played a huge

part in his journey. One of the things they most

like to do is visit Cardiff market just before it

shuts at five o'clock. Jaco likes the order

and routine, they have Jaco has autism,

a neurological condition that means he sees,

feels and hears the world Jaco films his world and watches it

again ad again, helping him to make Like most young Welsh

boys, Jaco loves rugby. Going to a busy, noisy match has

been a massive step forward. From the first time I took him

to a stadium to now is a I never actually thought

we would be able to do this. Jaco struggles with noise and often

wears protective headphones. Rugby games can be a bit

intimidating and Jaco When he was smaller

I couldn't even laugh. I couldn't show any kind of emotion,

whether it be laughing, If I laughed at a friend

who was telling me a story he would have that kind

of reaction you saw today. I kind of stopped laughing for about

three, four years of my life. You know, it is weird

when I think back on it, I didn't laugh for

that length of time. But he's all right

with laughing now. Why do you think about

Wales losing today? Jaco also loves washing

machines and wind farms. When he grows up he was to be

a security guard but with only 15% of Welsh autistic

adults in employment, his dad worries he may not get

the chance to have the job At the moment there are many

unknowns for Jaco but he has an In tonight's documentary his dad is

determined to find out more about his future prospects,

options and support. And Richard and Jaco: Life with

Autism is here on BBC One Wales, With a year to go before

the Commonwealth Games in Australia, Wales are aiming for their most

successful overseas Games that's the target set by the head

of the team. Tomos is with some of those

hoping to compete at We're with some of the best

gymnasts in the country. Last time round, gymnastics

contributed ten medals to In exactly one year, around 300

Welsh athletes along with coaches, managers and officials

will be at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, the start of 11

days of competition. # On the bonnie, bonnie

banks of Loch Lomond. Three years ago and Glasgow welcomed

athletes from all over the Commonwealth, helped

by John Barrowman, dancing teacakes 228 Welsh athletes took part,

they went on to become Fewer athletes will travel

to the Gold Coast, around 150, meaning the record 36 medals won

in Scotland will be tough to match. The most medals Wales has won

in an overseas Games is 25. The head of Team Wales

says beating that tally Cyclist Lewis Oliva has

competed in two, now The 24-year-old is studying medicine

at Cardiff University alongside his Ask any Welsh athlete how does it

feel to ride for Wales and it is just massively inspiring

and hugely motivating. Jess Sims and Laura Daniels

are Wales's first world bowls When you go to the Commonwealth

you're Team Wales, you are part Even though you are playing

bowls you are still part of a bigger Welsh team and that is

what is so special about the Women's rugby sevens is being

included for the first time. An opportunity for Jasmine Joyce

from St David's who competed Obviously, the pinnacle of rugby

sevens is the Olympics and you won't ever be able to go

and do that as Wales. It is fine, you get to bond

with other nations. For rugby sevens Commonwealth,

as a Welsh nation, Hoping to walk it to

gold, Bethan Davies. She's Britain's top

female race walker. For someone, a Welsh athlete,

you very rarely get the Commonwealth Games will

be really special me. I am actually ranked quite

highly in it as well so I think it was going to be

an interesting competition. From the Empire Games

to the Commonwealths, Wales is one of six nations to have

competed since they began in 1930. Questions though have been raised

about its long-term future with Durban, South Africa pulling out

of hosting the games in 2022. A Welsh gymnasts delivered ten

medals last time. A part of that success was Frankie Jones. You now

coach young athletes. What is the secret? To the hard work and the

work done in the background. Welsh athletics has put a lot into it. I

have been very lucky to have been doing it. Now the girls are also

stepping into that and are doing full-time training. It is fabulous.

You are very busy because you are advising board members on how to

improve the experience for athletes. What have you told them? It has been

amazing to work out how much goes on behind the scenes of the actual

games. I have been involved with teamwork and the different clothes

we hat going to be wearing an places in the village.

It has been interesting. Chris Jenkins from Commonwealth Games

council, a year to go, preparations have already started.

It is very exciting. We got a member down Coast at the moment. She will

have access to the village so we will be able to see where see where

Wales will be staying. The velodrome is beautiful. We think all the

venues will be in fantastic shape. Let's look at the long-term future

of the Commonwealth Games. South Africa pulled out of hosting the

next games in five years' time is, after the Gold Coast. But this is

Terry about the future of the Commonwealth Games? Does it have a

future. It has a very big and bright future. We were disappointed that

Durbin lost the right to host the games. Since then, a lot of other

cities have put their hands up. Three in Britain, couple in

Australia, Toronto and Malaysia. There is a rush of enthusiasm. The

future looks good indeed. All the best to you.

Let's me bring you some other news and to football first

League this season according to former manager John Toshack.

He's been opening the club's new multi million pound training

facility at Fairwood today and believes they will

survive but that it'll "go down to the wire".

The Swans are one place and one point above the Premier League

I think it will go right to the wire, as they say.

There is usually one of the teams that look comfortable drops into it

The next match now with Tottenham is a difficult one.

Before I go, some cricket news for you.

Glamorgan have signed 26-year-old South African fast bowler

Marchant de Lange to play in all competitions.

De Lange has played in two Tests, four one-day internationals and six

March was the wettest in Wales since 2008 but we've seen the last

The next few days pretty much dry and settled thanks to high pressure.

Cloud amounts and sunshine tricky to gauge.

Cloudy in Mountain Ash this afternoon.

Sunny in Blaenau Ffestiniog with a high of 11 Celsius.

Overnight some cloud in the north and west.

Parts of mid and south Wales staying clear and chilly.

A touch of ground frost in rural parts.

Here's the picture for eight in the morning.

Cloud in the north maybe thick enough for the odd spot of light

rain or drizzle but no more than that.

The best of the sunshine in the west and south.

During the day, cloud will gradually spread south.

The odd light shower possible but most places dry.

The southwest hanging onto the sunshine for longest.

Highest temperatures in the southeast.

A few degrees cooler in the north and west

In Gwynedd tomorrow, cloudy and cool.

13 Celsius in Sully with a light breeze.

The odd spot of light rain or drizzle in mid and N Wales.

Otherwise dry with lows of four to eight Celsius.

On Thursday, the odd light shower perhaps in the north and west

Friday dry with more in the way of sunshine.

A little warmer as well with light or gentle breeze.

That's the reason for the dry weather.

Over the weekend it will start to drift away but will still

So in summary, largely dry and settled.

Saturday the nicest day of the weekend.

There's been a 16% increase in the number of junior doctors

It follows a decision by the Welsh Government

to offer cash incentives to encourage junior doctors to train

I'll have an update for you here at eight o'clock and again

That's Wales Today, thank you for watching.

From all of us on the programme good evening.

Can you imagine what an estate agent would make of this?