21/04/2017 London News

and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

A code which could help surgeons save more heart attack patients -

the award-winning idea came from a schoolboy on work experience.

I was just lucky enough to ask the right question at the right time.

Dubbed one of the Blair Babes when she was elected in '97 -

20 years on, the MP for Slough tells us why she's standing down.

Also ahead this evening: The Royals talk candidly

You often speak about the emotional changes you have gone through, and I

think a latter parents can hopefully identify with that.

The Royals talk candidly about the issue of mental health -

and why this weekend's marathon is so important to them.

And ahead of the race, London landmarks will be lit up

to help raise awareness of the charity they're supporting.

As the line-up for this year's BBC Proms is announced,

we meet the orchestra celebrating this city's diversity

Welcome to the programme this Friday evening with me, Riz Lateef.

First tonight: The award-winning idea from a London schoolboy

which could help save the lives of thousands of

It came from a schoolboy who was on work experience at Barts Hospital.

Doctors have to often operate immediately, without knowing the

history of the patient, inevitably making the procedure more dangerous.

80,000 patients are treated at Barts Heart Centre every year.

It's the largest one in the UK, and it's here that 16-year-old

Dulwich college student Ben Wald had a eureka moment.

Over the summer, I was actually doing work experience,

shadowing my dad here, and I had the opportunity to watch

a series of procedures to combat heart disease.

In one case, a patient, there was a degree of uncertainty,

because the patient had actually lost or misplaced or never

had her surgical records, and so I was just lucky enough

to ask the right question at the right time,

which was whether you can use surgical wires, the sternal wires

used to close the breastplate after bypass surgery, and sculpt them

into letters to leave an imprint inside the patient as to what had

From that seed of an idea, Professor Wald worked with his son

to develop a code which can tell cardiologists what procedures

a patient has had in the past, through the sculpting of the wires.

This is an x-ray of somebody who's previously had bypass surgery,

and these metal loops are the stitches, the metal stitches

that close the breastbone at the end of the operation.

If the first wire, the wire at the top of the sternum,

points up, you know the code's in use, and if the wires point down

and to the left or right, then it tells the cardiologist

where he or she will find these grafts, if and when the patient

needs another procedure to show what shape these arteries are in.

It's a simple idea that no-one had ever thought of.

The idea will now be put forward to the British

Cardiovascular Society in June, with the hope it could help the one

in six heart surgery patients with incomplete medical records.

Patrick Dempsey is recovering from surgery following a heart

attack on Wednesday. He's impressed by Ben's ingenuity.

Young people today have many ideas that older people like me

and others don't consider, and I think it's a fantastic idea.

You are quite traumatised when you come in.

If you're having a heart attack, you are quite frightened,

you forget things, and I think if there is a very simple coding

mechanism that the doctors can quickly see that

you are going to do, there is new information

gathering on your chest bone, I think that's a super

idea, because it speeds up the whole process.

Originally, when you came up with this idea, you were laughed

I mean, there was a bit, because, of course, some

of the cardiologists, including my father,

thought it was implausible, but with a bit of thinking,

my father realised that you could actually develop this

into a code, and it wasn't so implausible after all.

Coming up later in the programme: A final journey for treasured trains

on the District Line - but their retirement wasn't

It's not the usual attire associated with the Royals,

but these blue headbands worn by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

and Prince Harry are to help raise awareness of their work

It's estimated that in any one year, a quarter of Londoners will

And this weekend the capital's landmarks will do their bit too

in helping to promote their charity. Victoria can tell us more.

Swathes of the South bank are going to be lit up blue this evening, not

just behind me, but the royal festival hall and other buildings

further down the river. It is a blue that has almost become synonymous

with this campaign, the Heads Together campaign, which brings

together a different charities to raise awareness of mental health

issues. Begun last year by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince

Harry. It is not just them who had been wearing those headbands you

mentioned. A building not far down the river from a also got its own

headband, the Battersea Power Station. Not easy to put on, would

imagine, but one anyone around the capital this weekend. Earlier today,

the Royals released a short film discussing the importance of

discussion. I do think it's incredible how

strong, and how you've been able to cope, really,

and I put that down to your really early years, childhood experience,

but also the relationship that you've got, you're amazingly

close, and yes... Most of the time!

Most of the time. No, but you know, some families

sadly aren't as lucky as you guys have been,

and being able to share things. But we have been brought closer

by the circumstances as well. You know, you are uniquely bonded

because of what you've been through. But you know, even her and I,

over the years, have not talked Has doing this campaign sort

of made you realise that, to a certain extent?

Yeah, I think so. I always thought to myself,

you know, what's the point Was the point in bringing

of something that's only It ain't going to change it,

it ain't going to bring her back, and when you start thinking

like that, it can be And you always said to me,

you've got to sit down and think about those memories,

but for me, it was like, But I think what must happen

with us, and must happen with others as well is, you have

to prioritise your mental health. You have to say to yourself at some

point, because it's very easy to run away from it,

you know, to walk away from it You know, someone has to take

the lead and has to be brave enough Well, the lights will be on along

the Southbank till about 4am on Sunday morning, head the marathon.

For the first time, 39,000 runners have all been handed one of these

headbands to wear for the official campaign to the London Marathon this

year, Heads Together. If all of them wear these headbands, it will be

quite a sight. But I is opposed the question is, do you really need

headbands to make the London Marathon such a site! -- I suppose

the question. Thank you. I will have more later on

the programme on that. She was one of the women

dubbed 'Blair's Babes' - the catchphrase used to describe

the 101 female MPs elected But 20 years after serving her

constituency of Slough, Fiona Mactaggart has decided

to stand down. Our Political Correspondent Karl

Mercer has been finding out why. It was one of the defining images

of the 1997 election. The so-called Blair Babes paraded

with their leader in Westminster Tucked at the back, Fiona

MacTaggart, newly elected in Slough. Nearly 20 years on,

she's still the town's MP, She's one of two Labour MPs in

and around London to call it a day. I had to make a decision that

I wasn't expecting to have to make, and I think in politics,

it's important to hand the baton on when you're still good at it,

still enjoying it, still making a difference, rather

than when you completely run out She'll carry on supporting

causes close to her heart, but says the political world

isn't what it used to be. I'm bored of bickering

about personalities, because I think politics should be

about ideas and about policy, and it too often isn't,

it's about, you know, "Do you like him?

Is she your favourite?" You know, it's like

in the playground. It's like childhood squabbles,

and frankly, that's boring. She's been critical

of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. Many will believe that's part

of the reason she is going. I have well-documented run-ins

with more than one leader of the Labour Party,

let's be utterly honest. So, you know, you can't say

I'm going because of Jeremy. I publicly said that I thought

that Gordon Brown should Look into your crystal ball, Fiona,

and tell us what the state of the country is going to be

and who is going to be I'd stopped making political

predictions along time ago I'd stopped making political

predictions a long time ago when I realised that I'd never lost

a political bet, and I thought, if I carry on making them,

I might start losing, You're asking me

to make a prediction. I just told you I'm not

making a prediction. I believe that the best option

for Britain is a Labour government. We'll find out if the voters

agree on June 9th. London said goodbye

to a transport stalwart today. It was meant to be a quiet,

unannounced retirement. But it didn't quite

work out like that, as old trains on the District Line

took their final journey. Our Transport Correspondent

Tom Edwards explains. They brought cameras,

even wore Tube-themed scarves. All keen to go on the last

trip of the D stock. I've heard the train's

actually fall. I've heard the train's

actually full. It was trending on

Twitter this morning. It's one of those things that

I think people are glad to celebrate it as being an item,

something to look at, but perhaps it is time

it is retired now. I think it is time it is gone,

and I think Londoners are glad to see the back

of it in the end. On-board, a carriage

of more enthusiasts, that's it, you know,

standardised now. I have really fond memories of these

when I was growing up. The new trains, it's

an improvement, but the sentimental one is a good

feeling with these. The District Line D stock

started running in 1980. Some drivers, like

today's, will miss it . I've been driving for

a long time, since '85, and yeah, they've been

a good workforce for the From tomorrow, the District Line

will only have new S stock trains, with air con

and walkthrough carriages. It's always a bit of an odd moment

when you say goodbye to an old friend that's done some sterling

service, but you know, we're here This is in effect hello

to the new trains, Some of these are to be reused

in the Midlands, but in London, at Final preparations are taking place

for the London Marathon on Sunday. Join me later, I will tell you how

it is going. And the Proms 2017 are coming,

bringing us once again some of the greatest classical music in the

world. Find out later why this orchestra is particularly

interesting. As we've been hearing,

football has been mourning the loss of Tottenham Under-23 coach

Ugo Ehiogu. He died early this morning

at the age of 44 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club's

training ground yesterday. this sad news? Yes, a member of the

under 23 staff responsible for bringing in so many talented

players, and admired outside of football as well. His last tweet

gave an idea of his character. He wrote about giving ?10 to a homeless

girl in Dalston and encouraged everyone to do something kind. Among

the tributes paid to him, one from Fabrice Muamba, who survived a heart

attack in a game at Tottenham. He wrote:

Spurs play Chelsea tomorrow in the FA Cup semifinal.

Football field is largely irrelevant at the moment, but I'm sure this

match will embody all the qualities that Ugo was admired for.

Can say, shot! Chelsea's win over Manchester United

in the FA Cup semifinal last month was part of a 23 match stretch,

where they lost only once. But their defeat to Manchester United broke

that. Antonio Conte needs to rally his team as Tarzan and challenge

them in two competitions. Giving the outcome of this game could have a

psychological impact in the Premier League title run in? If Tottenham

one this weekend, would that give them a huge boost?

I don't know. I think these are two different competitions, yes. The FA

Cup, great competition with tradition. I don't think that if one

team win or lose, it will affect the other competition.

Rival fans claim Chelsea have no history, but they have been

associated with the Chelsea Pensioners since 1908. Tomorrow, the

club will take more than 30 of the retired British Army soldiers to

Wembley on a special bus. Tottenham looking good at the

moment, you worry? Yes.

Yes, I am very worried. Definitely looking over our shoulder, because

they are scoring, we are not. Confident that you will come out on

top? They will raise their game tomorrow.

Supporters of Chelsea's opponents Tottenham need to be close to

pensionable age to remember the last time their team was winning on such

a consistent basis. They have been breaking club records that have

stood since the 1960s, but can they turn that form into a trophy to

macro the goals of Harry Kane and the youthful dynamism of Dele Alli

makes Mauricio Pochettino's side the standout team in the country right

now. Today, we are in a very good level.

Faith, belief, I think are important for, but most important is to feel

the faith and the belief, and when you feel it, and it is running in

your body and your blood, that is most important.

Spurs were once accused of parking the bus against Chelsea. That is

unlikely to beat the case tomorrow, but who will make the trip back to

Wembley for the final? The weekend's other FA Cup semifinal

sees Arsenal play Manchester City The Gunners have won the Cup 12

times, most recently two years ago. But manager Arsene Wenger insists

how they do this year won't have any impact on his decision

about his future at the club. It doesn't play any part in that,

you know. The FA Cup is a very important game for me, because it is

the next game, and because it is an opportunity, as I just told you, to

win a trophy this season. So of course, we are all focused on that.

My future is Sunday. Thousands of runners

are preparing for the 2017 We sent our reporter to one of three

start point in south-east London to see how preparations have been going

for this year's London Marathon. Of all the marathons in all of the

world, there is not one in which the thousands of runners can enjoy so

many world Heritage and tourist sites as this, the London Marathon.

The home of the marathon is just over there behind me. Preparations

are virtually all done now, I had a start on Sunday, in which

professional and fun runners will share the roads of London as they

make their way over to the maul. Along the route will be tens of

thousands of people like myself, cheering along the runners, people

like Chris from Google bombing in Surrey. He has won five marathons

already, but this will be the first he has run with a prosthetic leg

after being involved in a car accident with his wife back in 2008.

Knows the challenge is set by those determined to meet the challenge.

They put me in a medically induced coma, and tried to save the like,

but after ten days, that did not work out, so they took my leg.

He will run another marathon, because that is his drive. It is in

him, he is a runner. And that doesn't change. Just losing your leg

doesn't change you are, and I just knew he would do it again.

We whisk risk the very best on Sunday. You can see behind me some

final preparations being put up on the grandstand towards the start of

the route. These barriers will come down in time for Sunday. One thing

we have to mention is security. Lots of people don't notice it for the

London Marathon, but it is always there. This year, it will be

particularly tight because of the Westminster Bridge attacks last

month, and the Paris attacks yesterday. The Duke and Duchess of

Cambridge and Prince Harry will join thousands of people along the route

to cheer on the runners, and one thing is the certain, Londoners in

typical London fashion, certainly won't be put up by the extra

security, but they will be there, enjoying what we hope will be a real

carnival atmosphere. The best of luck to all the runners. You can see

all the latest on BBC television, online and on Radio London.

Best of luck to every single person running.

Now, it's one of the greatest celebrations of classical

music in the world - and this year's line up for the BBC

More than 90 concerts over eight weeks will feature

established orchestras as well as some interesting debuts.

Let's join Wendy Hurrell who's with some of this

year's performers - this is musical heaven for you?

It is about as close as one music lover can get, I can assure you,

yes. I am in the beautiful Saint John's Church in Waterloo dizzying,

and behind me are some very fine musicians. At the moment, they are

rehearsing for a concert in Bristol on Sunday, but later this year, they

will be at the Royal Albert Hall. The flag-waving last night of the

Proms. This, it's 123rd year. This festival of classical music still

attracts the greatest physicians from around the world. But there has

been criticism that this great British institution does not always

represent the diversity in our capital or country. So, in an effort

to evolve, last year, some of the strings went to a car park in

Peckham, and there will go again this year. There will also be

performances in Wilton's Musical. The choir with no name, made up of

homeless people, will be at the Royal Albert Hall for a special

Proms workshop, singing Beethoven's's Choral Symphony. A

slight departure from their usual genre.

And making a debut, this orchestra, formed only 18 months ago, and a UK

first. Chineke has really made huge waves

in the classical music industry. Diversity and making sure that we

have a diverse performance on stage, and diverse audiences is incredibly

important for the Proms, as it is for the whole of classical music.

And for the musicians, it is the place they most want to play.

It is kind of what every young person watches the TV for at this

time of year. If you play music, you will watch the Proms, or if you are

fortunate enough, you will go and watch it live. It always inspired me

growing up. It is the biggest celebration of music in the world,

and so to be a part of that and share this kind of new idea and this

new orchestra with Britain and the world, is obviously going to be an

incredible experience. Well, someone who knows just how

incredible it does feel to play at the Proms is one of our most

celebrated, one of our most in demand double bassist, and also the

founder of the Chineke orchestra here. It is a lady named Chi Chi.

Tell me why you set this orchestra up.

I think you cannot underestimate the power of role models, and there was

a great gap in our industry, where people are black and minority ethnic

backgrounds are completely underrepresented in the classical

music world, and it was a no-brainer. I had lots of support

from government and conservatories and places like that, so at the

moment, we are rehearsing for our first chamber Orchestra outing,

which will be at St George in Bristol on Sunday. But yes, a gross

lack of misrepresentation. And you have played in London at the

Queen Elizabeth Hall. Tell me what that concert was like, and the

relationship to the audience as well?

That was extraordinary, because there are certain things you can't

predict, but now that it has happened, it makes complete sense

that when you change what is presented, in other words, what is

on stage, suddenly, the people who come to enjoy it our people who feel

that they are represented. They can identify with the people who are on

the stage, and so half of the audience looked like what I am used

to playing two, and the other half of the audience that like London.

Wonderful, wonderful. And they are just superb musicians, aren't they?

You are missing a double bassist at the moment, database needed!

Not doing too badly, this is the first day of rehearsals. This

orchestra comes from all over the country, and I think there are two

macro from Europe. But there are musicians of all ages. The juniors

have joined us for this as well, which I think it's really important,

to pass that baton, so we're bringing up the juniors who can hope

with playing. Chi-Chi, I could talk to you

forever. This is beautiful. Back to the studio.

Thank you very much, Wendy. On that note, let's get

a check on the weekend weather with Darren,

who's here now. Hello. It should be pretty good this

weekend. A bit more sunshine than today, hopefully. We have a picture

from Ruthiebabes. The Queen's barge here in Twickenham. Shame we didn't

have a bit more sunshine. I practised dominates our weather.

This week whether front here will bring us change into tomorrow. We

have all this cloud contracting into subzero air, which is why it is

disappointingly cloudy, and still a lot of cloud around this evening.

Not particularly cold, light breezes were the most part from the

north-west. One or two holes in the car before it thickens up across

northern areas later in the night. Pretty mild out there. Temperatures,

7-9d. Tomorrow, quite cloudy in the morning, and we have this week

whether front which I showed you a second ago, responsible bistro

grisly showers which we will have around the morning, so quite damp

from the North. That will boost the temperatures to 15 degrees, around

average for this type of year. Dry into the evening. The first of the

big football matches at Wembley, the London derby, should be fine and

dry, pleasant evening on the way. A few showers overnight, which should

be gone by Sunday morning. A chilly start for the marathon. Ideal what

the form the most part, though it could get warmer later. -- ideal

weather for the most part. Probably a dry day as well. Light winds, so

that will be good for the runners, 15 or 16 degrees, quite likely.

Things are going to change next week. This whether front is moving

across the UK, and behind that, we get Arctic air spilling right the

way across the country, which will drop the temperatures. We could get

a bit of rain on that whether front on Monday. Certainly a lot of cloud.

Cold air on Tuesday, and even the chance of some

sharp showers. Showers in April! There is a thing. Thank you, Darren.

On the election campaign we've had the first hints of some manifesto

pledges including Theresa May saying she remains committed

And Jeremy Corbyn campaigning on education promising

The French authorities have revealed that the man who shot and killed

a police officer in Paris last night had attacked the police previously.

Karim Cheurfi was jailed in 2001 for firing at officers

And we've got all things marathon on our Facebook Page,

inspirational stories and top tips for runners.

Good luck to everyone taking part. That's all for now, though.

So from everyone on the team, thanks for watching