08/02/2012 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Look North. Tonight, the cost of getting the message across.

Interpreters add millions to the cost of running the NHS in

Yorkshire. Also on the programme, a family's grief after a man from

Chesterfield collapsed and died three weeks after being told he was

fit for work. Be careful what you tweet. A careless comment from a

Doncaster man has him fighting in the High Court. And I'm reporting

from Church Fenton, the coldest village in Yorkshire where... ALL:

It's freezing... The Met office have warnings in place for freezing

rain and further snow through Thursday and into Friday. The very

Good evening. Spending on interpreters at most of Yorkshire's

Hospital Trusts has rocketed in the past five years according to

figures obtained by BBC Look North. Freedom of Information requests

have revealed that ten of the region's 12 hospital Trusts saw

increases ranging from 30% to, look at that, 900%. More than �9 million

was spent in Yorkshire with Leeds accounting for �3.4 million. The

research also shows that where the greatest amount used to be for help

with South Asian languages, now it's increasingly for those from

Push your head all the way forward SHE TRANSLATES

As a diabetic, it's vital that Otto gets his retinas checked regularly

to ensure he's in exactly the right position, the Czech born school

cleaner needs an interpreter. Martina from Slovakia is one of 170

interpreters Leeds Hospitals call upon. We cover about 70 languages,

the most popular of those are Urdu, Leeds has a well established South

Asian community. We are seeing an increase in the demand for Eastern

European languages, so mainly Polish, Czech, Slovak, also quite

an increasing demand for the African languages.

Most of the time I'm in hospitals. I do home visits with midwives,

health visitors and then health carers. Most of the time, it's

antenatal appointments, eye clinic, cardiology departments. You don't

always have lovely news to tell them so it's challenging, it's

difficult sometimes. This service has cost Leeds �3.4 million in the

last five years, the biggest spend in the region, but an annual cost

is now levelling off they say. For Yorkshire, Huddersfield, Harrogate

and Halifax, costs are rising sharply. Yorkshire spent �2,000 in

2007-008, �23,000 in 2010-2011, the biggest amount is for Polish.

Sometimes people speak good enough English to live their lives but not

gad enough to come into hospital and deal with doctors and the

stress of that situation. Dealing with diagnosese of things they

don't understand, it's important, we don't judge who can ask for an

interpreter, if they say they need one, they are entitled to ask for

one. Getting a family member to interpret is discouraged because of

concerns about the extent of their language skills, their

understanding of sometimes complex medical terms or if they may try to

protect their relative from a difficult diagnosis.

Penny joins us now. A lot of viewers will be wondering why so

much is being spent on this and not on frontline Health Services?

NHS would say that it is frontline health care. It's important that a

patient gets the right treatment, the right diagnosis and medicine

and knows what to do with it. It's better they have an interpreter so

they have one appointment, they don't have to come back again and

it's enshrined in legislation, the race relations amendment act of

2000, strengthened by the equality act of 2010 which can came into

full force last year means there is a duty on public bodies to provide

accessible services, that means help with languages. Is there any

way they can save money on this? Leeds which is one of the biggest

Trusts has about 4 house requests every year. What they do now --

24,000 requests. The freelance interpreters are paid through the

payroll. That is one way of doing it, although they are freelance.

Some computer software is being trialed at the moment meaning some

Trusts might be able to pool their resources.

We have had some responses from you about this story. A comment on the

Facebook page that although Helena is Spanish, she's never asked for

an interpreter. An e-mailer in Spain said if an interpreter is

needed there, the non-Spanish speaker has to pay for the

translation. The family of a man with a serious

heart condition says he died three weeks after being told he was well

enough to find work. Steven Hill from Chesterfield suffered from

heart failure, high blood pressure and diabetes. A health assessment

says he was fit for work. His local MP says it's not the first case

he's come across. These are some of the last pictures

of Steven Hill. He was on a waiting list for heart surgery. Too ill to

do his garden or play with his grandchildren, yet despite the

medical evidence, a benefits assessor twice declared him fit for

work. He successfully appealed the first decision, he didn't have time

to do it again. He were like a different person, as if that were

the final nail, you know, as if to say, she doesn't believe me. Mum

says when he came out, he sat down, looked up and my mum and said, she

didn't believe me, she weren't bothered about my heart, she didn't

believe me and I do honestly think it knocked his duck off, you know,

these assessments, that's what he said "they didn't believe me".

Stephen Hill's assessment was carried out here above the

Jobcentre. Three weeks later he got a letter telling him that he was

fit for work. Three weeks after that, he was dead.

A tragedy for his friends and family and a sign, according to his

MP, that the whole system is not working. 75% of people who go to

appeal on ESA end ungetting the original decision overturned.

That's a complete waste of taxpayers' money that we are seeing

people go to appeal, going through the whole process, lengthy process,

stressful process and then winning. It proves the original system isn't

right. The Government really have got to take some serious action.

Which is exactly how Steven Hill's family feel after losing a brother,

father, grandfather at Christmas. We asked the Department of Work and

pensions to come on the programme but no-one was available. Instead,

Later in the programme: Supersizing in education. We take a look around

Barnsley's school set to be Yorkshire's biggest ever.

Next tonight, when you use Facebook and Twitter, do you take care when

you type? One Tweet from an accountant in Doncaster has landed

him in the High Court. He's appealing against his conviction

and his supporters say he's being prosecutesed for making a joke. It

can only have taken seconds to compose. But Paul chambers is still

living with the consequences of a single Tweet more than two years

later. Faced with a snow-bound Robin Hood

Airport preventing him travelling to see his girlfriend, he typed to

the world, the airport had a week to sort itself out or he was

blowing it sky high, a joke which left him with a criminal record and

now mounting legal costs. This is the third time this case

has been before the courts and yet each time successively higher

authorities are essentially grappling with the same questions,

was this a menacing message and what context was it sent in? Mr

Chambers' legal team suggested a message could not be menacing if it

wasn't intended to convey a credible threat. The Crown

responded the Tweet was capable of being read as a threat to public

safety. It will be another few weeks before we know the outcome of

the appeal. Paul chambers left court without comment but his legal

team are delighted by the celebrity support they've received. Among the

famous faces will being in the public gallery today was Al Murray,

perhaps better known by the pub landlord. Are you surprised by

this? No, because people understand that Twitter is about being able to

express yourself and being able to say possibly the wrong thing, so

I'm not surprised at all. Was that phrase a joke do you think?

Absolutely, of course it was. It started with the word "crap", it

was a joke and the context of Twitter, that's how people talk to

each other and unfortunately the law is making itself look really,

really silly. He may be celebrated by the famous and have become an

unintentional every man, but for Paul, this is all about overturning

the conviction which cost him his job, all this from just a handful

of words online. It's not the first time son-in-law

media's landed someone in trouble - - social media. A woman created an

event on Facebook called Wakey Riot. She was cleared of encouraging

rioting in November. In January a British man flew into LA airt and

Earlier this week, the Attorney General decided not to prosecute

the footballer Joey Barton for a series of Tweets about John Terry's

trial for alleged racist abuse. On Sunday Barton wrote "I will gladly

go to jail for a month in the name of free speech, make me a martyr".

Is there a lack of consistency in the way that we are interpreting

these Tweets? I think that's the way the public will see it but

there isn't really because you have got to start off with the Crown

Prosecution Service. The Crown Prosecution Service will absorb the

facts on any particular case. When they've got the facts before them,

they'll then decide what is the appropriate charge and all these

events you've just read out could attract different charges. Once

they've decided what the particular charge is, they've then got to look

at the code of practice. Once they've got the code of practice,

they'll look to essential criteria, one is, is it in the public

interest to prosecute and what are the prospects of get ago successful

conviction. Presumably this is a growing problem. How do you control

social media and the Internet? very hard to control, once someone

puts pen to paper, that could result in actions for libel.

Obviously times have moved on and nowadays, if you put something on

your Facebook or if you actually Tweet, whatever you say will have

obviously repercussions and people should be warned that they should

be very careful. I think Steven Fry is batting on the side of this

gentleman at the moment. How do you interpret that as well and what

judges do when they are faced with this situation? The judges want the

take into account the relevant criteria of has a crime been

committed, is it in the public interest for the case to proceed

and the prospects of a conviction. It's strange why Steven Fry and

others just take the carve loor view of, this is just a joke and

therefore it's not very important - - cavalier. Action such as this can

cause anxiety and distress and mayhem and people have to take that

on board when they do Tweet and when they do convey these messages

and face the consequences. Thank you.

A woman who lost control of her mobility scooter and fell into the

path of an oncoming train at Barnsley railway station has died.

The 73-year-old from Monk Bretton fell off the platform last Thursday.

She was trapped under a train for some time before being freed and

airlifted to hospital. Police say the injuries were not life-

threatening, but her medical condition hampered her recovery.

Dozens of people who have spent the night out of their homes because of

a gas leak in Scarborough have been allowed back. Residents in the

Seamer Road area were forced to leave after a contractor damaged a

pipe yesterday. Northern glass network say they'll carry out a

full investigation into the leak and they've apologised for the

inconvenience -- Northern Gas Network. Arriva put 33 new buses on

show this morning. The fleet listen taken to the road in the next few

weeks as the company upgrades vehicles. Arriva say the buses are

some of the greenest and hope they'll lead to a rise in bus

passengers. It's cost �46 million to build, it

has 96 classrooms and when complete, the Horizon Community College in

Barnsley will be the biggest school in Yorkshire with 2,300 pupils.

How do students feel about going to what many people are calling a

super school? This week, a few have been given a sneak preview of their

new surroundings. An unusual start to the school day.

Hats, gloves and high viz vests are necessary when your new school is

still a building site. It's officially opening in September,

but a lucky few have been seeing inside what will be one of

Britain's biggest schools. Bigger than the reception in your current

schools, yes... Horizon will replace two older high schools.

It's one of the last schools in the country to be funded by the now

cancelled Building Schools for the Future programme. So in an age of

austerity, Horizon stands out. There won't be schools built like

this I don't think for decades. I think the people of Barnsley have

been very lucky and it will be a fantastic facility, not just for

the young people but for the community. High quality schools

like this don't come cheap. Built over 40 acres, it cost �46 million.

When it opens in September, 2,300 children will learn here, working

in 96 separate classrooms. I can't describe how amazing it is.

They've got a theatre that seats 400 people. Everything looks so

clear and spacious and really, really big. It's massive. I'd

probably end up getting lost. Always sunny in Barnsley, so most

of the year we'll be out there having dinner outside as well.

Putting nearly 2,500 pupils into a super school has raised eyebrows,

but Horizon has been designed differently. We have created the

structure of the school so we accommodate that size so there are

five separate schools within this school so each skol contains about

400 pupils. -- school. Students will be going to the smallest

school with the biggest and best facilities.

Those facilities will be come plaited by the summer ready for

pupils' use in September. When these children return, they'll be

in a newly designed smart green blazer, rather than a high viz vest.

I wonder if the Head could remember 2,300 names, that would be

difficult. How big was your school? 600,

something like that. Mine was bigger than that, but not that big!

We'll have the latest about Leeds United's manager coming up and the

show jumping family from West Yorkshire hoping to get father and

son into the Olympics. And plunging temperatures bring out the

neighbourly spirit in Yorkshire's A bit of sport now.

What is going on at Leeds United? Who knows, they don't tell us

everything which is a shame but they have made their first public

constructive move today since they sacked Simon a week ago. That is to

say that Neil RedFern will remain in charge for at least the next

three matches and that starts at home to Brighton on Saturday. Ken

Bates has said he'll not be rushed into appointing a replacement for

Greyson. You can read into that what you want.

You would think that he deserved a chance, he's done well under

difficult circumstances at Halifax Town as well. Does he have a real

USic chance? Absolutely. There are some telling words used in Ken

Bates' answers to the questions put to him today. He used the words

dtion demonstrate his abilities", a chance to do that to the team and

the board. Cheap as well? Well, I don't know what Neil's salary is,

do you? Not in that regard but not having to pay somebody like Neil

Warnock and somebody else down the road? Quite possibly, I take your

point. And Sven Goran Eriksson who apparently applied. Could be more

expensive, we could be wrong but... He did apply, as did an unspecified

11-year-old and the 2010 champion of PlayStation, they'll be

considered along with Sven Goran Eriksson and many others. The 11-

year-old might have more chance than Sven. The answer to your

question is Neil Redfern has a real chance now. There are Barnsley fans

who think he should have been Barnsley manager years ago and

Eriksson will not be considered so we await to see and good luck to

Neil for the next three matches for Leeds. Last night's action - I'm

afraid the dreams are over for another season. Sheffield Wednesday

lost their replay against Blackpool at Hillsborough and with it their

chance to take on fr tonne in round five. -- Everton in round five.

If the chance from Lowe went in, things might have been different

here. Blackpool scored early in the game. That goal there showed their

flare. This is the difference between the Championship and League

One. Lualua, always a dangerous player. Wednesday made seven

changes and they have an important game in Exeter on Saturday.

Megson's not going to risk his best team for a game like that, however

humiliating 3-0 is at home but there is a certain closure about

being out of the FA Cup now for Wednesday. To say nothing of

today's news which is the Sheffield Wednesday Football Club chairman

Milan Mandaric having been cleared of charges of tax evasion, Mandaric

was charged whilst chairman of Portsmouth Football Club of course,

a two week trial at Southwark Crown Court ended with a verdict of not

guilty for Mandaric and his fellow defendant, Tottenham manager Harry

Redknapp for that matter. There is a clarity now about everything at

Wednesday, they are second in the table and can really concentrate on

holding on to that. Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town will

have something to say about it but it makes the rest of the League One

season really interesting. Chesterfield also know who they'll

meet in the Johnston's Paint Trophy final next month, it's Swindon

which means it will be a clash of the former Sheffield Wednesday

heroes because as far as the managers are concerned, Swindon are

these days managed by Di Canio meaning Di Canio against Sheridan's

Chesterfield because Swindon completed their regional final win

last night. An interesting day that will be at Wembley for Chesterfield

and all concerned. Amongst the Olympic hopefuls we have more than

one Yorkshire family hoping that more than one of their members will

qualify, along with the brothers we saw last night. Ian went to meet

John at his stables near Huddersfield.

John Whittaker is no stranger to the Olympics. He's been to five

already and it would have been six if it wasn't for the boycott of the

Moscow Games. At the age of 50, plus change, he's not done yet.

Olympics is a fantastic experience in itself. It's unbelievable. Just

mixes in with the other athletes and the whole atmosphere is

unbelievable. To have Olympics in London in your own country is once

in a lifetime an opportunity. is John's indoor arena at his farm

near Huddersfield. It's essential at this time of year with the

fields outside frozen solid. But next week, John and the team will

leave the Yorkshire chill behind for the warmth of Spain where they

can carry on competing. Son Robert will be there too and he's hoping

to make it to his first Olympics. Robert's got a really good chance.

He's getting better and better. We try to beat each other, we don't

hold back. Yes, we go all out to beat each other. It's good that we

are all in there with a shot. John's already achieved the

qualifying standard on his horse, but that doesn't guarantee him a

place in the Great Britain team. That will be decided by the show

jumping selectors. The Whittaker family are hoping they go for a

blend of experience and youth, father and son.

No sign of Ian on the horses there which makes me feel better about my

fear of them. Thank you very much.

Do you know what the coldest place in the country was last night?

Church Fenton. We decided to send Ian there to investigate.

It looks like a picture postcard, but this little village near

Tadcaster is making headlines around the globe. We've got friends

all over the world and had an e- mail to say, from Western Australia,

Perth, mentioned in the western Australia mail, Church Fenton, the

most snow and whether she was going to offer to come over and do my

shopping I don't know, but she wanted to know if we were all right.

It's freezing here in Church Fenton, snow at the weekend followed by icy

conditions and temperatures falling to minus 12 last night was making

life miserable for the people who live here. The main roads have been

gritted but side streets and pavements are still treacherous.

Norma Rose is 8 2 and is looking after her 88-year-old neighbour

Joan who doesn't want to risk going outside in the bad weather.

tests your confidence because when you're locked in the house and

can't get out and you're used to going out and being an outdoor

person, it's very, very difficult. We don't go out when it's icy, we

just rely on our neighbours and each other. We are war time people.

That's why we are tough. This man came from Doncaster to clear his

sister's drive. My golf course is closed which is why I'm here

shoveling snow instead of hitting a ball. At the village shop, the cold

snap is what everybody is talking about. Have you built some snowmen?

Yes. And children at Kirk Fenton School are proud of the snowmen

they've created. It's got Olivia's hat and someone else's scarf and a

long nose. We made a head that was too big and couldn't lift it so we

had to start again. While the snow and ice is a pawn for many, this

lady had a message for Paul the weatherman. Keep it coming, that's

-- while the snow and ice is a pain for many, this lady has a message

for many, this lady has a message for Paul the weatherman.

The Met office have produce add graphic which we are going to see

of the areas which are at risk from snow. It's probably a bit small but

most areas at risk with one or two spots up to 10cm, pointing out that

that is over a longer time period, late on Thursday and into Friday.

Let's have a quick look at the first picture. It's very nice

indeed, just enough to show you Fountains Abbey and the lake is

beginning to freeze over. The important forecast now. We have a

warning in place for freezing rain and the risk of some snow. That

covers a period through tomorrow and through Friday as well.

The headline sums it up, icy rain and snow. It's this weather front

that's trying to get in from the west. It will be pushed back by the

cold continental air. We have got a lot of cloud at the moment. Good

breaks across the Pennines into Leeds. The temperatures are falling

away. Now last night was the coldest February night since 1991.

We are not going to get as cold as that tonight but we could Cee Loest

temperatures down to around about minus six across parts of the

Pennines. Too much cloud elsewhere for double figure negative

I think tomorrow we are off to a mostly dry start. It's a cloudy day.

Watch this weather front staggering in from the north-west, so we get

freezing rain coming into the north-western areas. York eastwards

is where there is a risk of snow through tomorrow afternoon. To the

west, a laelly awkward mix with some snow, freezing rain, so the

gritters will have a problem. -- really awkward mix.

Make a note of the snow, it could affect eastern areas for the

Tomorrow night into Friday it looks like this area of snow could push

back westwards so it could be the west of our area to be at risk from

snow Thursday night into Friday as eastern areas dry up to a certain

extent. As you can see, it's a complicated forecast, but the risk