13/03/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

early 1990s. That's all from the BBC News at Six. It's goodbye from me.

On News at Six. It's goodbye from me.

Welcome to tonight's Look North On the programme tonight, children's

heart surgery in Leeds under scrutiny again.

Two reports out today find the unit is safe but a number of famhlies

received poor care. That is a source of profound regret. And we `re

incredibly sorry. I can't s`y that enough.

We'll have the chief executhve of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust

live with us in the studio. Also tonight, Yorkshire's schools

again bottom of the class in the latest league tables from Ofsted.

Join us live at York Minster as BBC television cameras are allowed

behind the scenes to see thd day`to`day workings of this

magnificent cathedral. Sunrise in Scarborough at the start

of March. 17 degrees this afternoon, but what about the next

few days? Join me for the forecast coming up shortly.

Thank you for joining us. Tonight, a full apology to the

families who've received poor care on the children's heart surgery unit

in Leeds. An independent review found relatives had suffered a

tragic loss of compassion. @nd sometimes weren't even offered basic

kindness. Leeds General Infhrmary has been the subject of a ydar long

review, after surgery was stspended at its children's heart unit because

of concerns over the number of deaths. The review found thd

hospital to be safe. But sahd it needed to improve patient c`re.

Children's heart surgery has been suspended at a hospital in Leeds.

The suspension of children's heart surgery in Leeds last March caused a

storm of claim and counterclaim about death rates and quality of

care at the unit. But now, `lmost a year on, NHS England has published

two reports into the closurd. One looking at all deaths on thd unit

over a five`year period. And the second, an examination of the

treatment that some parents say they received. The mortality revhew

looked into the deaths of 34 children who found the clinhcal

outcomes were in line with others similar units, and that services are

safe and running well. But the report looking at how patients were

treated found shortcomings hn the care of 16 families, includhng one

mother who said she felt prdssured into having an abortion, ag`inst her

Muslim beliefs. We are profoundly sorry that we have let you down

We... Have a sense of profotnd. . Disappointment and regret that. .

Your experience was... So poor. We are thrilled that the unfair and

flawed decision... Surgery was suspended the very day after

campaigners overturned a decision to close the unit in the High Court. An

investigation into safety and quality of care followed and today's

two reports make 35 recommendations for improvement. Many familhes come

to this unit having incredibly positive experiences. Much of this

is a very negative view of the service. We must take heart from the

fact that most of the familhes who come through here have very positive

experience and it is a very safe place for children. Michelld Elliott

is one of the 16 parents referred to in the report. She believes her

daughter Jessica suffered brain damage because of delays in being

referred for a heart transplant It's a step in the right direction.

But I think it's important the message is out there that this isn't

a clean bill of health. It's so important to us that no othdr

children die during surgery or immediately after. These colplaints

go back to 2009. I'm not saxing they're not valid, however what I'm

saying is that the centre is safe, and that is the most import`nt

message for me to give, bearing in mind we do support families. The

third report, looking at concerns look from whistle`blowing doctors

from other units, has yet to be published. Meanwhile, the longer

term future of the unit won't be known until next year.

Joining me now is Julian Hartley the chief executive of Leeds Te`ching

Hospital. Thank you for joining us. Several parents saying they received

no comfort. No compassion after their child died. You are a parent,

how would you feel if that were you and you didn't receive what can only

be described as basic kindndss? I'd be devastated. And I think the

reports we see in the familx experience report, I would say, we

are so sorry. To those families That they went through that

experience. In Leeds, we trdat 10,000 children every year, 800

operations, and that report of those 16 families from 2009`2013

documenting their poor experience is incredibly upsetting. And it is

important to say very, very clearly that we, obviously, regret that and

we are deriving every ounce of learning from those experiences

There are only 16, that we have heard from, but how do you know

there are hundreds more not speaking out? We know there are many families

who are very positive about their treatment and care in the children's

heart unit. This afternoon, I was with children are parents, families,

staff on the unit, and all of them were saying how positive thdir

experience was, and what good care was being provided. That is not to

minimise the poor care. One case of pouring spirits is one too lany And

that is important for us to take on. There are more serious accusations

as well. One woman such werd sterilised because she was told she

would have another child with a heart defect if she wasn't

sterilised. She has since found out that isn't true. How can thhs

happen? This report documents a number of extremely poor experiences

that patients speak about. When our staff read those reports, they were

devastated. And we would do everything we can in the trtst to

make sure that we have very clear policies about those sorts of

issues, that we ensure that we are offering high`quality experhence and

care for every patient that we treat, and, we need to make sure,

and we have made sure, that we have ways of getting feedback in

real`time from patients and families immediately, in terms of anx issues

or concerns, and act on those. Your predecessor fought hard to keep the

unit open, you have only bedn in them job for five months, c`n the

staff rely a new to fight their corner? They can rely on me

absolutely to do the very bdst for the hospitals, and we are confident

because the report that said Leeds teaching hospitals child he`rt unit

is safe and running well is a very important message for children,

patients, families, and the wider region. Thank you for coming in

Also tonight, I'm guiltier than most for banging on about what a great

county this is, but as a former teacher I'm a bit embarrassdd about

our next story. Yorkshire's schools are again bottom of the class in the

latest league tables. Ofsted, the school's examining board, h`s

published its results and ott of nine regions, Yorkshire, whhch also

includes Hull and Lincolnshhre, is the worst. It has the lowest number

of schools rated as "good to outstanding." In six of our local

authorities, parents have ldss than a 50% chance of choosing a good or

outstanding secondary for their child. And it's causing concern As

Heidi Tomlinson reports. At this school, they are proud of a

good rating from Ofsted inspectors. A majority of Yorkshire schools are

doing well, but compared with the rest of the country, we comd last.

London is at the top with 86% of schools classed as good or

outstanding, and Yorkshire hs what of the table. It's about ensuring

you have the best leadership in schools, it is about ensuring that

every single teacher in every single school, in every single lesson is

delivering high`quality learning for their pupils. And that isn't

happening? Quite clearly, it isn't, otherwise we wouldn't have this

profile. There are clear differences between educational authorities in

the region. So, the number of schools in York that need

improvement, Liam, have you got a figure? It is 22%, Miss. Th`t's

right. Let's compare that to Rotherham. Danny? 26%. Amy, what

about Doncaster? 39%. If we look at that compared to the nation`l

average of schools that need improvement, that is 21%. So, Don

Caster is bottom of the Yorkshire class, where is York is a star

pupil. One of the reasons wd are improving in York is that the local

authority work closely with the schools in the city and we have very

few academies in York. More broadly across the region, those

partnerships have been more fractious. At the heart of this

debate are students and I asked some 14`year`olds what they thought of

Yorkshire's poor results. I don t think it is exactly fair, btt we

can't exactly choose where we live as teenagers. I think schools should

cater for people 's needs, `nd this school does this. We have vdry good

teachers here. Ofsted says there are grounds for optimism. The ntmber of

good schools is increasing. But even that progress is too slow.

Later on Look North. The roxal battle continues. The row over the

final resting place for King Richard III ends up in the High Court.

In the rest of the day's news, the Bradford based supermarket chain

Morrisons has posted its worst results in five years, a prd`tax

loss of ?170 million. That's down from a profit of nearly ?880 million

the year before. The companx says it's been a "disappointing" year, as

turnover fell by 2%. Price cuts are planned to try to win custolers

back. My job is to make surd that this business is fit for thd future.

That starts with putting thd customer first, which is giving them

the prices they need and want in these very challenging times. If we

have more customers spending more of their money more of the timd in our

shops, we can be a stronger business.

Two men have been arrested over the murder of a Leeds man whose body was

found in woods in Chapel Allerton. Colin Pierre bled to death from a

shotgun wound. His body was discovered by two schoolboys in a

beck in woods off Gledhow V`lley Road on Tuesday morning. Thd

arrested men, who are aged forty one and forty eight, remain in police

custody. `` 41 and 48. A ?10 million plan to replace the

main exhibition hall at Harrogate's Great Yorkshire Showground has been

unveiled this morning. The showground is estimated to bring ?47

million to the local economx every year. Its owner, the Yorkshhre

Agricultural Society, believes that figures will increase if it's given

planning permission for the building. It says a new hall would

offer more exhibition space, a cafe, and improved facilities.

The cities of York and Leicdster are doing battle in the High Cotrt

today, over the bones of King Richard III. His remains were found

under a car park in Leicestdr last year. The University of Leicester

holds the licence to bury them, but campaigners including a grotp of the

King's distant relatives want him buried at York Minster. Jamds

Vincent has been in Court. What has been happening?

Well, this royal legal saga is in danger of going on for longdr than

Richard III was actually on the throne. The argument today hs and

whether it should Leicester or York, although it is getting a bit

like that, it is about the decision to grant Leicester permission to

bury the King. Now, the Plantagenet Alliance, the group from York, they

say that should not have bedn granted in the first place, and the

contingent down here listenhng to the evidence in court clearly wanted

to overturn it. We now know that if you find a named

individual, no matter how long they've been dead and buried, the

living relative scare. This case is a proof of that. `` the livhng

relatives care. Maybe the f`ct that they are looking at this ovdr the

next four days, their consultation will sort it out. And what we are

hoping for is a hot knife through butter because this is what this

case now needs. Shouldn't this be a straightforward decision? Hhs

relatives say York. That is exactly what the Pl`ntagenet

alliance is saying. Whether a body is found, King or not, the relatives

are asked where that body should be buried. The converse argument is

that it was a body buried 530 years ago. And the court has heard that

there are millions of peopld that can rightly claim to be a ddscendant

of Richard III's mother. Is it good value for money? Is it senshble and

logical to ask every single one of them what should happen? It is up to

the High Court to decide ex`ctly what will happen in this case.

He has waited long enough to be buried, when will we get a

decision? We talked about him being on a

throne for 26 months, and wd are not long of that. We have had one day of

evidence today, one day of dvidence tomorrow, and they will either say

they will make a judgement late on Friday afternoon, or they mhght go

away, scratch their heads, think about it, and tell us their decision

in three weeks time. Either way this long`running saga might go on

for some time. Plans have been announced for a

multimillion`pound developmdnt next to the M62 in West Yorkshird which

would provide a new stadium for Castleford Tigers and a new shopping

centre. As Shamir Masri reports it could create 2,000 jobs.

This is the vision of a ?134 million development on the edge of

Castleford. It could help create around 2000 jobs and a new retail

area. But it could also become the new home of Rugby League cltb

Castleford Tigers. And a replacement for the ageing ground at Whdldon

Road will be very welcome. Ht's the spiritual home of Castleford Tigers

but, unfortunately, in terms of competing with the other te`ms, we

are unable to do it. So to love to a stadium with state`of`the`art

facilities is a godsend. Thhs is the proposed site, just off junction 32

of the M62. But what needs to happen next if these plans are to be

approved? We will meet the community, get their responses and

thoughts with a view to sublit a planning application in the middle

part of the summer. If the plans are agreed and approved by Wakefield

Council, building could start next year. Of course, Castleford, they

have had a great start to the season.

Before seven o'clock. Behind the scenes at one of Yorkshire's most

iconic buildings. Our camer`s are given exclusive access to sde A Year

in the Life of York Minster. And are you ready, Harry? Tomorrow sees the

start of our Tandem Tour de Yorkshire in aid of Sport Rdlief.

Onto football and the team of the moment, Sheffield United, m`de it

ten wins in a row last night with victory over Carlisle. With that and

news of the two championship matches, here's Tanya. Alongside

their fantastic run to the FA Cup semi`final Sheffield United's league

form has been impeccable of late. Jose Baxter got the goal th`t gave

them their tenth win on the bounce, a run that includes 17 sheets. ``

seven clean sheets. Sheffield Wednesday's manager Stuart Gray was

less than impressed with referee last night. As well as being awarded

a penalty, he felt Wigan's goalkeeper should have been sent

off. Instead, he was given ` yellow card and saved the resulting spot

kick. It was to prove costlx when the hosts got a penalty of their own

late in the game which was put away by Jordi Gomez. It wasn't a game for

the purists, was the assesslent of the Huddersfield boss, Mark Robins,

as his side drew 0`0 at Charlton. They were restricted to long`range

shots but he was pleased with the way his side battled.

I love York Minster. Take a look at it to. On the school run evdry day I

harp on to my boys and say look at that. One of the sights of Durope.

At ten, they might not see ht, but they'll get it one day! Every year,

two million visitors from all over the world do get it and flock to see

it. It's one of our most iconic buildings. And now the BBC hn

Yorkshire has been given exclusive access behind the scenes to see the

day to day workings of the Linster. Phil Bodmer's there for us now.

Whenever I step inside this building, I can't help but be

overawed by its majestic be`uty It's quite humbling but,

nonetheless, inspirational experience. If you've never been

before, there's a chance to see how it lives and breathes in thhs new

documentary which begins thhs weekend. Here's a quick excdrpt of

what is in store. Holy week is reaching its climax,

and it is Easter Saturday. The verges are on the final strdtch

preparing for the highly sylbolic Easter vigil. But, first, the head

virgin is going to be tested. A white cloth must be draped over a

giant crucifix suspended from the central tower. It is not so bad

going up if you're changing things like the lights, which we do use

that for, because then you `re against a pillar, so you fedl there

is an element of if the thing was to Roquefort, there would be something

to stop it. If it was to move in any direction up there, you can come

crashing down. It is quite a fascinating btt quirky

documentary. Two of the stars are Alex, the head virgin, and Rebecca,

the superintendent of works. Alex, this must have been a huge leap of

faith to allow cameras into this building, were you not susphcious of

what the TV producers had in mind? At first, yes, but we soon got to

know with the crew `` was `` we soon got to know the crew and work with

them. We have at least four services a day here. They filmed our services

and see what our core purpose of being is here. What do you think the

viewer, who doesn't come into this, but what will they make of this

They will hopefully see what goes on behind the scenes, what makds this

place work. They come in, they enjoyed the architecture, the

stained`glass, the music but behind that, there is an awful lot of work

that keeps this building living Rebecca, you gave permission for the

producers to allow a copter `` helicopter can in. Lots of

irrepressible stained`glass here, or you're a little bit worried? I was

very concerned. Our stained`glass is very precious, but they showed me it

was very safe and it was a great tool to use. He restored sole

stonework, tell us about th`t. We replaced a figure on the top of the

great East window, it could have been one of three figures. Saint

Peter, Archbishop fours B or Christ and majesty. But the viewers will

have to watch the programme to find out who it was. I have seen some of

it, it is fascinating. What did you make of it? I thought it was

fabulous, brilliant. And wh`t you think the viewers will get out of

it? I hope they will get an awful lot out of it, including thd

humanity of this place, and the fact that it is a human space, m`ssive,

but nevertheless, we all work together, we are one great

community. If you want to sde the documentary, I can highly rdcommend

it, for 40 5pm on Sunday. Wd were invited to the preview this evening

but, sadly, we can't make it because we are doing something for Sport

Relief... I was exhausted doing something for

Sport Relief. I wish you well. There are a lot of famous people wanting

to wish you good luck on thhs monumental bike ride.

Did you know that Harry and Amy are doing this? Did you know? Yds, I was

going to get us to do it. Hdllo Harry. Hello, Amy, how are xou

doing? Good luck on your bike ride. Amy,

you will be fine. Harry, all the best, you'll be knackered!

Amy and Harry, best of luck on your cycle, 250 miles, wow! You'll have

sore bottoms. A great cause, it ll be a wonderful spectacle. Hopefully

training is going well, remdmber to pack the Vasily Next good ltck. ``

to pack the vaselline. All the best, Harry and Amy, hope you do well

You'll be able to do it. Yot will take care of any emergencies that

happen, and you will bring glory to Yorkshire. Harry and Amy, all the

very best. We were going to do it, but when we

heard you are going to do it, we thought, well, only two people can

do it. But, well done. We are right behind you, good luck!

That is fantastic. I am a bht starstruck.

It could be the last time wd are on these seats...

I want to show you a few pictures which highlights what a fantastic

date has been. That is Scarborough, sunrise.

This is a bit of an eerie shot. The sun breaking through the mist.

Keep the pictures coming in. Look at this special graphic. A sunny

starter 10am, surly clouding over. By the time you get to Skipton,

there might be some drizzle, and the breeze will be picking up, too. Not

quite the clear blue skies we've had today, it will be cloudy and quite

breezy. The best of the sunshine, central and eastern parts. 07 this

afternoon in Sheffield and Xork What a beautiful day it has been.

Clear skies tonight, but gohng towards the end of the night, dense

patches of fog in the South. And a touch of ground frost. The sun rises

at 627A. Those are high watdr times. `` 6:27am. Generally speaking, it is

a fine start, sunshine developing. Through the day, it turns cloudy in

the West, some drizzle in the Yorkshire Dales, and Skipton.

Further east, it stays fine with sunny spells. The temperatures,

pretty good for this time of year. It is cooler in Skipton. Thd weekend

looks predominantly dry. Cloudy is in the West. The best of thd

sunshine further east, but ht is turning windy as we had through the

week. I don't like the word windy or

breezy. So, we will be riding through Yorkshire on a tanddm if

you'd like to cheer us on, this is where we will be tomorrow.

We leave from Leeds Town Hall at 9.30am. Our first break is `t

Harewood House and then it's onto Otley for lunch. We'll leavd Otley

at around 1:30pm and follow the A65 through Ilkley to Skipton where

we'll be live tomorrow night. You can see our full route for `ll eight

days on the Look North Facebook Page or follow @BBCTANDEM on Twitter

Please make our pain worthwhile by supporting us with your don`tions.

Some of you already have. Wd've had ?2,000 pledged even before we set

off. There are three ways to donate. You can give ?1 to Sport Relief by

texting BIKE to 70011. Or go online to: or you can send a

cheque. All those details are on our Facebook page if you'd like them

again. This could be the last time you see

me, even though I am only three months into the job! Come and

support us tomorrow, and th`nk you for giving us ?2000 already.