28/03/2014 East Midlands Today

for the first time spotter planes find debris. That's all from the BBC

News at Inspectors from the Care Quality

Commission decided the University Hospitals of Leicester requires

improvement. Our Health Correspondent Rob Sissons reports.

Rating requires improvement, so does that not mean it is good enough? As

you may be aware, we are using the rating system that rates every part

of the service and side. 86 of the ratings were good or outstanding.

They operate a harsh regime where they encourage you. They have all

mentioned that they recognise it themselves. Sorry to interrupt you,

but that's 19 areas needing improvement, which is basically a

fifth of the total amount of areas looked at. I've been at the trust

already for a year and I recognise there are things that need to be

better. We have very, very good staff who want to improve and my

philosophy is working with front line staff to make things better. We

are not complacent. Safety is something that was mentioned. In

particular, Rob flagged up the resuscitation trolleys. The report

said that the trolleys which are used with patients who suffer

cardiac arrest, were over Stockton and stock. It doesn't bode well for

someone who's had a cardiac arrest. I agree and that is what I think is

a serious failing. We are already taking action because we recognise

that. I would describe it as a fair criticism. It was not acceptable. It

will be sorted quickly. What are you doing? It's all about

standardisation of equipment, making sure that staff are all familiar

with the protocols that we have, resuscitation situations and making

sure that they are always followed. Then monitoring to make sure they

are. It is a key area. And you say that this is what you are planning

on doing. What is the timetable? We going to be waiting for a long time?

No, in the next month or so. I wanted to bring up shortages because

yet again, staff shortages have been brought up at the hospital. I quote

from the report. At times, it impacted on patient care. How big is

that a concern for you? Staffing is a significant concern. Last year, we

did a big assessment of if you had enough nurses. We decided we hadn't.

We created another 250 nursing posts. We have been recruiting hell

for leather, both from the Montford University and internationally.

We've been ahead of others in that. You're doing very well. We have

halved vacancies. But we need to do more and we will.

Officials have described it as the worst case of fly`tipping they've

ever seen. A mountain of waste seemingly dumped in one go on a busy

Leicestershire industrial estate. And it's going to take a week just

to clear it up. Our reporter Simon Hare is at Castle Donington tonight,

Simon. As you can see, it is an enormous

pile of rubbish, probably about 15 or 20 feet high and wide and about

30 or 40 feet long. It is possibly the contents of one large lorry and

it has been dumped here, on the edge of this industrial estate at Castle

Donington of the busy a 50. The hunt is now on to try and find out who

don't adhere. `` A50. It's a mountain of rubbish. Those

who are used to cleaning up this mess so it is the worst case they've

ever seen. It appeared overnight at this industrial estate in

Leicestershire, late last week. I came to work last Friday at 7:30am

and I came up the brow of the hill. Then it captured my eye. I looked at

it and the side of it. I couldn't believe someone had done so much

fly`tipping. I reckon there are about three to four tonnes of

rubbish there. It is expected that clearing it up is going to cost

taxpayers ?2000. And it is a task that will also take about a week to

complete. Officials will sift through the rubbish for any evidence

which could prove who don't adhere. People think they are clever but

often there is paperwork with an address on. We might be able to

track where it has come from. They might say, ask Joe Bloggs. We will

track people down. We've had very successful prosecutions. If

convicted, the culprit could face an unlimited fine or even a prison

sentence. Early indications are that the waste has come from

Nottinghamshire. And that is borne out by what we

have found while we've been here. In amongst the rubbish, paperwork and

boxes which clearly feature addresses for the new work area of

Nottinghamshire. Environmental officers will be following up that

sort of information. In other news, police investigating

the death of a 19`year`old man say he mistakenly took a powerful

stimulant, linked to other deaths in Derbyshire and across the UK. Daniel

Gill died at his home in Leabrooks in January, after taking what he

believed to be ecstasy. Tests have now shown the tablets actually

contained a powerful drug called PMA. Six people have died from

taking it in Derbyshire. A 16`year`old boy and an 18`year`old

woman were earlier arrested and released on bail.

Police have released CCTV footage of an assault on a shop worker in

Leicester. It happened last month at the Quality Supermarket. The

30`year`old victim was working in the shop when two men, armed with

what are believed to be golf clubs, entered the shop and attacked him.

He escaped with minor injuries. Nothing was taken from the store.

A BBC survey of more than 300 councils and housing associations

has shown that nearly 6% of people affected by the government's housing

benefit changes have moved house. The changes mean that people on

certain benefits with unoccupied bedrooms have to pay for them in the

form of reduced benefits. In the East Midlands, most councils

responded to the BBC's survey with 12 giving full data for those who

had subsequently moved. The average figure across those councils was

5.7%. Getting people to move to smaller properties is one of the

government's objectives for the spare room so that `` spare room

subsidy. That process is happening could more quickly in some places

than others. In South Derbyshire, 8.74% of those affected have moved.

In Melton, that figure is about 0.1%. Darby has the highest local

rate at 11%. In Leicester, it's been running at 8% of people affected by

these changes. In Nottingham, the number of people moving house is

half of that. The government's ambition is that around 25% or 30%

of people living in council or housing association properties will

have moved to a smaller property in the next four or five years. Critics

say it is cruel. The government points to a saving for the taxpayer

of ?1 million per day. It is Friday night and you are

watching East Midlands Today. Plenty more to come. Children have been

selling poppies in memory of those who died in World War I.

The world was amazed when it was announced that the remains of King

Richard III had been discovered under a Leicester council car park.

But now one expert is saying it might not be Richard at all.

Professor Michael Hicks is the Head of History at the University of

Winchester and an expert in medieval history. He joins us live from our

Southampton studio. Professor, good evening. Thanks for joining us.

Here's a skeleton with head wounds, the requisite spinal problem, buried

in the right place and with matching DNA. Not good enough for you?

We know when Richard was killed and we know how he was killed. We know

where he was buried. We don't know everybody else who was buried in the

same place. As far as the matching DNA goes, a considerable number of

people could share that DNA. As we all know, we all share some of the

DNA of all our ancestors and the same is true of Richard. This is

particularly true of the DNA that is inherited through his mother. Other

people could have inherited the same DNA from his grandmother and so on.

There are a whole series of types of evidence that suggests Richard but

none of them is sufficiently precise for us to say it is this particular

individual. In a statement, the University of Leicester said today,

Professor Hicks is entitled to his views but we would challenge and

counter them. Our forthcoming papers will demonstrate that many of these

assumptions are incorrect. I don't think they can prove it is Richard.

They can prove... They can indicate the likelihood, even the probability

that it is Richard but they cannot actually prove it is him on the

basis of the evidence that is at the moment available to us.

We must leave it there but thanks for joining us.

How students in Leicestershire have been taking part in a pilot work

experience scheme. It's hoped the project will help the

pupils, who all have a range of learning difficulties, get a job in

the future. Helen Astle has been to meet one young man who's been taking

part. Meet Thomas. He is 14 years old and

loves computers. Thomas has learning difficulties. He is also autistic.

Most of the time, he uses a small computer to communicate. This week,

he has been on work experience at Loughborough University, working in

the canteen. What have you been doing here? Cleaning trays. You've

been quite busy. Using a dishwasher. Very busy. Working the till. They

have had you working hard. Did you like working at the till? Yes.

Thomas is one of several students to take part in the pilot work

experience scheme, and the hope is that ultimately, he will be able to

find a job. Projects like this give students of Thomas's age exposure to

the world of work and hopefully will stand him in good stared to getting

a job in the future, when he is ready to do that. It has also helped

staff at the University. It has opened our eyes, in helping to see

how we can help support people like Thomas. It has given him an

opportunity for implement within our organisation. As Thomas gets to

work, his co`worker says she has seen a massive difference in him.

This week has been amazing. In school, he is a quiet young man.

Here, he has excelled. He is talking to people you've never met before.

He's enthusiastic about trying new jobs. He has worked really well.

What would you like to do in the future? Come back to you `` comeback

to Loughborough University. Have you enjoyed it? Yes.

Now, the ten`year`old tennis prodigy who's fast becoming the best in the

country. Millie Mae Matthews has only been playing for three years

yet she's already rated the British number four in her age group.

Her coach says she's achieved much in the short time she's been playing

and has great potential. Sarah Teale went to meet her.

She is just ten years old but she can already give her coach the

runaround on court. Unusually, she only started playing when she was

seven but showed a real talent for the game. Now, she trains at the

Junior Academy, here at the Nottingham tennis centre 13 hours a

week. The practice is paying off. She was recently semifinalist in the

national finals for her age group. A great effort to get into the

national finals and an unbelievable effort to get to the semifinals. I'm

very proud of her. She's got a lot in here. How many medals have you

got? About 40 to 60. How many trophies? 35. How much fun is it

when you beat your coach? Loads. It's quite fun. He gets angry when I

win. Does that happen often? A bit. That's beautiful. She may be small

but she packs a punch. She's a fighter and there is something which

makes her hit ball seriously hard. She started at West Bridgeford and

we thought after a fortnight, it would be a fad and gone. But she has

kept on going and going and going. She never complains about coming.

She would play every day if she could. Have you always wanted to be

a tennis player? Yeah. What is your ultimate aim? To win Wimbledon. Do

you think you will do it? I hope so. As they say, watch this space.

We will definitely be watching this face.

First just one place to start tonight and that is with Leicester

City. It's first against second in the Championship tomorrow as City

face Burnley. Defeat could see Leicester knocked off the top of the

table for the first time since Boxing Day. A win could prove

decisive in the race for the title. Angela Rafferty reports.

It is a top of the table battle, billed as the biggest game of the

season so far but who will be victorious in this championship

clash of the titans? It is what we all live for. It is what we all

strive on. We will be going there full of readiness for the game and

hopefully the fans will be up for it as well. The Foxes are undefeated in

18 championship matches. Thirdly, in 16 games. There is very little to

separate these two sides. Mutual respect from the two men who have

both masterminded their push for promotion. It's quite obvious. They

are market leaders currently. They have got there by playing well. They

have given good performances. We have to make sure our performance

level is right. They have done unbelievably well this season. For

us, we go there in top spot. We want to remain there. We know it is going

to be a very tough game for us. I would think they will be thinking

the same thing. If Leicester lose, they could be knocked off the top.

Such worries... We go into this game with the players being exceptionally

fit, even if the staff aren't. It remains a fascinating time because

there's an awful lot to play for still. Two teams with title

ambitions. It's all set for a real showdown.

So we really are getting into the business end of the season and Derby

County Manager Steve McClaren says his young side have what it takes to

cope with the pressure. The Rams go into their game against Charlton off

the back of a midweek defeat. But McClaren says the performance

against Nottingham Forest last weekend proves they can handle

anything. This team has grown up a lot in the last six months and to

handle fat, to come out with that kind of performance and win, then we

have to carry that on. We have to keep doing what we have been doing

from day one and do it everyday. We need to quickly move on to the next

games and move `` windows. No new manager yet for Nottingham

Forest but there is some good news ahead of their trip to Ipswich.

Temporary manager Gary Brazil says their injury crisis is improving.

The likes of Henri Lansbury, Andy Reid, David Vaughan and Kelvin

Wilson are all edging closer to returns. A couple could even be fit

for next weekend. And ahead of tomorrow's game Brazil says his side

are staying positive. We have 24 points to play for. We've got

ourselves into a fantastic position this year. The squad is coming

together. We are getting boys off the treatment table as we go on and

we are hoping to have more bodies next week when it comes to Millwall.

We are looking forward to the end of the season.

Across the Trent at Notts County they're busy plotting the Great

Escape. Two wins on the trot have put the Magpies just two points from

safety. And next they're home to Colchester. Mansfield are at home

too in League One, to Wimbledon. Leicester Tigers say they've already

had 12,000 season ticket holders sign up for the next campaign. A

real boost going into the local Derby in Northampton. Always a big

deal, and with Tigers wanting to cement their place in the Top Four

there's even more on it than usual. Nottingham Panthers will have to

produce another miracle comeback if they are to make it to the Play`Off

Final Weekend. They were shut out at home for the first time in well over

four years last night. Visitors Braehead Clan made the most of a

Panthers team that looked physically and emotional exhausted by Tuesday's

Challenge Cup victory. Panthers now need to make up a four goal deficit

in Glasgow tomorrow night. Before we go, we saw a little of it

last night but the plaudits are still raining down on

Nottinghamshire and England batsman Alex Hales for a stunning century at

the World T20 yesterday. From a truly difficult position,

hails produced an innings many pundits immediately put among the

best they'd ever seen. `` Hales. It's an amazing feeling. It still

hasn't sunk in. I've come close before and I'm glad I got over the

line today. It was a good wicket. I had a feeling that a big score was

close. Even better, he was able to carry England over the line with

four balls to spare and with a massive six. It's a great feeling,

especially in a game like that. He bowled the ball exactly where I

wanted it and I managed to get it over the ropes. It still hasn't

really sunk in yet but it was brilliant. It all set England up

very nicely indeed. If they can beat South Africa tomorrow, only Holland

will stand between them and the semifinals.

He will be back in action at Trent Bridge.

Children across the region are helping to plant thousands of poppy

seeds to honour local men who died in the First World War. It's part of

a Heritage Lottery`funded project to mark the Centenary of the Great War.

Paul Bradshaw has been hearing what it means to those at one school in

Nottingham. In Flanders Fields, the poppies

blow, between the crosses, row on row. Sowing the seeds of

remembrance. His pupils `` these peoples are panting 11,000 poppies

in memory of the 11,000 men from Nottinghamshire who died during the

great War. What we are trying to do is bring history alive for the

pupils here, rather than just sitting in classrooms and learning

about it and in not a very exciting way. We are trying to get them to

realise what it would have been like to have been universal soldier. It's

part of a project to mark the centenary of the war. To the

children, it has been an inspiring experience. Our

great`great`grandfather fought in the Great Walk, to give us freedom.

`` Great War. It's good to remember because people sacrificed their

lives for us to live today. It is always nice to remember these

people, even if they are not in your family. The children hope to take

the flowers grown from the seeds planted today to Belgium in October,

when they visit Ypres. What an incredible project. I hope

they get the conditions they need for those poppies. The lady who can

tell us about those conditions is here now.

If you've been fed up with the doom and gloom of recent days, things are

improving. It will be brighter and drive this weekend and it will be

feeling warmer. A real change in temperatures. We've had an easterly

recently but it tends to a southeasterly into tomorrow and that

will bring in warm air from the continent. We've got a few showers

around at the moment they are dying out now. Then it will be largely dry

overnight. Just one or two showers pushing in from the East. A lot of

cloud will stay with us through the night. It is frost free with loads

of five Celsius. Tomorrow morning, we have a fair amount of cloud with

us but it starts to clear from the south. Hazy sunshine through the

morning but then more blue sky and sunshine into the afternoon. With

that southeasterly breeze, bringing in that warm air, the temperatures

are on the rise. A high of 17 Celsius for Saturday. If you have

plans for Mothering Sunday, it is another promising day. Maybe more in

the way of cloud but it is staying dry. They will be sunny spells and

it could be a little bit warmer on Sunday than Saturday. 17 or 18

possible there. Not bad at all. Looking at your outlook, it stays

with the milder weather as we go into the new week. 16 on Monday. But

it looks like it may be more unsettled with showers around.

Definitely warmer. Don't forget that the cloaks `` clocks spring forward

on Sunday morning. We are getting closer to summer.

We will be back with you at 10:25pm. Good night.