0:00:00 > 0:00:00Newsnight is coming up on BBC Two.
0:00:00 > 0:00:01Here on BBC One, it's time for the news where you are.
0:00:05 > 0:00:06In Look East tonight:
0:00:06 > 0:00:08A big improvement in care at Northampton General Hospital.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09A hidden killer.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12The heart condition that can strike sufferers at any time.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13And back on track.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15The touring car racing driver back behind the wheel
0:00:15 > 0:00:19after a horrific accident.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Hello.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30We start tonight with news of a turnaround at one
0:00:30 > 0:00:31of our busiest hospitals.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Three years ago the watchdog the Care
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Quality Commission said Northampton General Hospital
0:00:35 > 0:00:37required improvement.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42Today, it's been rated as good.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44That's the second-highest of four rankings.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48Inspectors said there had been a complete change in culture.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Sam Read has been looking at how the change has happened at a time
0:00:52 > 0:00:54when pressures have been rising.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57At the front line of patient care, Michelle is trying to work out why
0:00:57 > 0:01:05Kevin has a shortage of breath.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07All in a hospital inspectors say is much improved.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09It's done huge amounts for morale.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10Our work...
0:01:10 > 0:01:13We've put an awful lot of work in over the last three years.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15And I think that has really paid off.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17The staff have worked hard, they continue to work hard
0:01:17 > 0:01:19and it's just really nice that is being rewarded.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Perhaps the starkest example of the change at this hospital
0:01:22 > 0:01:23is here in accident and emergency.
0:01:23 > 0:01:33Three years ago, the leadership he was rated as requiring improvement.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Now, it's rated as outstanding and that improvement has happened
0:01:38 > 0:01:41at a time when the hospital has become busier than it's
0:01:41 > 0:01:51ever been before.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The biggest change in it, I think, really, is the positivity
0:01:57 > 0:02:06from the staff compared to three years ago and the biggest thing
0:02:06 > 0:02:09of importance in that would be that the people here feel that,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12despite the pressure on the NHS, they can actually do things to make
0:02:12 > 0:02:20things better for patients which is why they call come to work.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22A&E attendances are up 10% year-on-year.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23There is still room to improve.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Emergency wait time targets are still being missed
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and inspectors asked for some changes in areas like how medicines
0:02:28 > 0:02:29are managed, but, overall, patients seem happy.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32I've been to visit my grandmother a few times and they've always been
0:02:32 > 0:02:34accommodating to visiting times, that kind of thing.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36The staff are really good.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38They helped me and my baby when we were in hospital.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Sometimes it's a bit on slow on waiting but apart
0:02:41 > 0:02:42from that it is good.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44So this is the rating table from 2014 on the left.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46On the left, the last inspection results.
0:02:46 > 0:02:47Orange showing areas requiring improvement.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52On the right, the 2017 results and green equals good.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55The boss here is proud of what she calls a massive achievement.
0:02:55 > 0:03:05The biggest change in it, I think, really, is the positivity
0:03:08 > 0:03:11from the staff compared to three years ago and the biggest thing
0:03:11 > 0:03:14of importance in that would be that the people here feel that,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17despite the pressure on the NHS, they can actually do things to make
0:03:17 > 0:03:20things better for patients which is why they call come to work.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23This stroke ward has been named in the top ten in the country.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25As demand on services like this continues to rise,
0:03:25 > 0:03:34the challenge for the hospital is to keep improving for patients.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Earlier, I spoke to Sam about the significance
0:03:36 > 0:03:41of the hospital's turnaround.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47It's been a big turn around for the hospital.
0:03:47 > 0:03:53It has been, at a time with the pressures we talk
0:03:53 > 0:03:55about day in and a day out.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58I also think it's worth mentioning the role of management.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00The current boss started her job just a few months before
0:04:00 > 0:04:03the last big inspection, three years ago, which didn't turn
0:04:03 > 0:04:06out that well, so she has overseen this improvement and we know how
0:04:06 > 0:04:09important the management is.
0:04:09 > 0:04:16Down the road in Kettering, the hospital there is in special
0:04:16 > 0:04:18measures and inspectors there picked out the management
0:04:18 > 0:04:20as a factor, so we know what is important.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21What next for Northampton General?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Can it achieve the highest rating?
0:04:23 > 0:04:30That's "outstanding" and they will be going for that.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31Today might help with that.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32Here is why.
0:04:32 > 0:04:42One of the biggest issues facing the NHS is recruitment.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45If it is publicly known that they are improving and doing
0:04:45 > 0:04:47well, they will attract staff and further improvements
0:04:47 > 0:04:55for patients.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57It's a hidden condition that can kill, out for a run,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Playing football, even going for a walk.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Cardiomyopathy affects one in 500 people and is passed down
0:05:02 > 0:05:04through generations.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07But most people don't even know they have it.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Now a charity is calling for people who have a history of heart
0:05:10 > 0:05:12conditions in their family to get themselves and their
0:05:12 > 0:05:15relatives tested.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Mousumi Bakshi reports.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Mogul the dog keeps Matt fit.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23He's had to limit his activity level since being diagnosed
0:05:23 > 0:05:27with cardiomyopathy ten years ago.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31You wonder what is it, am I going die, why me,
0:05:31 > 0:05:36is this the end of life as you know it, what can I do, what can't I do,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39where has it come from?
0:05:39 > 0:05:41You go through all those emotions.
0:05:41 > 0:05:50Cardiomyopathy is where the heart's muscle is either to thick or too
0:05:50 > 0:05:52-- Cardiomyopathy is where the heart's muscle
0:05:52 > 0:05:53is either too thick or too
0:05:53 > 0:05:55spongy or too baggy, so struggles to pump
0:05:55 > 0:05:56blood around the body.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Matt's grandmother died of a heart condition.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Nobody knew what it was but after Matt's diagnosis,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02his family were tested, including his young children.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05After six weeks, we got called back and it's probably the most
0:06:05 > 0:06:07relief I have ever had.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12Yes, finding out that they were not carrying the gene is a huge thing.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I still get emotional about it now.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17So, it's just a relief.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20The level of misdiagnosis is worse for young people because they tend
0:06:20 > 0:06:23to go the doctor looking quite fit and healthy and quite
0:06:23 > 0:06:27often we associate heart problems with larger people,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30older people and not young, fit and healthy people.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32That's where most of the misdiagnosis is.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The most common symptoms are tiredness, breathlessness
0:06:35 > 0:06:37and heart palpitations, but some people also
0:06:37 > 0:06:39complain about dizziness, chest pain and a swelling
0:06:39 > 0:06:44of the legs and tummy.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46The symptoms they cause can be fairly common symptoms
0:06:46 > 0:06:49and the majority of patients that get symptoms such as breathlessness
0:06:49 > 0:06:52or palpitations won't have anything seriously wrong with their heart,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55but it depends to a degree on the level of concern
0:06:55 > 0:06:59from the general practitioner or from the patient and with that
0:06:59 > 0:07:02in mind that it becomes important for the patient to know more
0:07:02 > 0:07:06about their family history of heart conditions.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08It's serious enough to cause sudden death.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I have been told by the family doctor if I had carried on the way
0:07:11 > 0:07:15I was before I was diagnosed, I probably wouldn't be here today.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Matt was treated with drugs but eventually
0:07:17 > 0:07:19had open heart surgery.
0:07:19 > 0:07:29It's transformed his life but he knows he is one of the lucky ones.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37The failed Luton airline Monarch has lost a High Court battle over runway
0:07:37 > 0:07:39slots it was hoping to sell.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40Monarch went into administration in October.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44It was hoping to use the 2018 slots to raise money to pay off creditors.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46But the company which deals with the allocations decided not
0:07:46 > 0:07:49to allocate those slots to Monarch and today the High Court
0:07:49 > 0:07:51agreed.
0:07:51 > 0:07:58Administrators for Monarch say they'll launch an urgent appeal.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Five months ago, racing driver Luke Davenport was seriously injured
0:08:01 > 0:08:06in a ten-car accident which left him in a coma for two weeks.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Many thought it would end the career of the 24 year
0:08:09 > 0:08:12old British Touring Car driver from Cambridge.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15But incredibly he has recovered his fitness and got back
0:08:15 > 0:08:17in the driving seat.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20The details, from Chris Mann.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Preparing to get back on track.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Luke Davenport's long road to recovery almost over.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30The comeback many people believed was almost impossible.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32The very badly damaged car of Luke Davenport.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Back in June this ten car accident almost cost him his life.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39It left him in a coma with a string of serious injuries.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Fractures to the ankle and tibia and fibula on the left leg,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45and my cruciate ligament on my right knee ruptured.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50My pelvis was also effectively shattered.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Then I broke four ribs, punctured both lungs,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54and my right clavicle.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Two weeks in a coma.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Do you really want to race again?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Do you want to get back in that race car today?
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Yes, I can't wait to get back.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03It's ingrained.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07I'm desperate to get back.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11He is behind the wheel for the very first time since the crash.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Luke passed a medical last week.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18Once again he has his licence to race.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20In a sport where hundredths of a second are literally
0:09:20 > 0:09:22the difference between success and failure, between winning
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and losing, Luke has to prove that not only he has the desire,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29but the ability also and that's what has been put to the test
0:09:29 > 0:09:36here today at Snetterton.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39When I watched him drive the pit lane, I am not normally an emotional
0:09:39 > 0:09:41person around race car, but I got quite emotional,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45because for me that was a sign that he had got back to health,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47fought his way through and was back, basically.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Safely back in the pits, how about those injuries?
0:09:49 > 0:09:51How was that?
0:09:51 > 0:09:55It was relieving that there wasn't any pain or anything like that
0:09:55 > 0:09:58but above all just great feeling to get back in a car
0:09:58 > 0:10:01after five months.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02He passed the test with flying colours.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05So against all odds Luke is on course to be
0:10:05 > 0:10:09racing again next season.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Here's Alex with the weather.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13Hello, there.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Temperatures close to freezing in one or two parts of the region
0:10:16 > 0:10:18already with a risk of a touch of frost in places.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20As we go through the night, increasing cloud coming
0:10:20 > 0:10:23in from the north-west and bringing some light rain and drizzle.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Those temperatures will recover by the end of the night but it
0:10:26 > 0:10:28still will be a chilly start to the day tomorrow.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31This weather system slowly clearing south or eastwards and that's
0:10:31 > 0:10:34going to mean a rather cloudy and damp start to the day,
0:10:34 > 0:10:35with some outbreaks of rain during the morning.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38But brighter skies are expected, with some fine autumn sunshine
0:10:38 > 0:10:40for all of us by the afternoon.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Still on the chilly side, though, temperatures around 11 or 12
0:10:43 > 0:10:44Celsius with a light north to north-westerly wind.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46Staying fine for the afternoon.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48The national weather is coming up, but here's the outlook.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51And into Friday, it's a bright start, turning increasingly cloudy
0:10:51 > 0:10:53with some rain moving in overnight Friday and into Saturday.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55It's looking much colder for the weekend with some sunshine
0:10:55 > 0:11:07around but also some showers and some chilly nights.