27/01/2012 Midlands Today

Good evening and welcome to the start of the weekend at Midlands

Today. Come to that -- consultants say they are appalled by proposed

cuts they say threaten patient care at the Birmingham hospital.

can't make cuts like that and still have effective, intact services.

Partially paralysed - the motor cyclist injured by a hit and run

driver bags for an apology. All I want is somebody to turn around and

say I'm sorry, it didn't see you, or I am sorry, I wasn't paying

attention. The education secretary different

plans to turn dozens more schools into academies. It is rescuing

those children from years of underperformance.

And farewell to a legend as the cricketing world says goodbye to

Basil don of error of Good evening. Our top story - big

cuts at three hospitals as consultants warn patient care will

be affected. The cuts being proposed by the trust which runs

Birmingham City Hospital, Sandwell General Hospital and Rowley Regis

Hospital are among the largest in the region. �125 million has to be

saved spread over five years. That's an average of 6.5 per cent a

year. The health union Unison claims cuts on this scale will put

patients' lives at risk. But hospital managers said tonight

they're dealing with the challenge. Here's our health correspondent

Michele Paduano. There have been fears about the

trust's future for some time. Last night senior doctors held an

extraordinary meeting to find out. Dr Ken Taylor, a retired doctor,

was at that meeting. Doctors were told about �125 million in cuts

over five years. And no one was safe. They heard all the fact last

night, and I think it was probably shock last night at the enormity of

the situation but they face. You can't make cuts like that and still

have effective, intact services. the next financial year, over 9

million must be saved from the This site in Smethwick is earmarked

for a new "single" hospital. It is only a small part of the cards.

Having won hospital here would greatly improve efficiency. But the

hospital was supposed to have been built by 2010. The latest delay is

caused by the government deciding whether the private financing of

hospitals that are still affordable. There are some doctors who don't

believe it will get built. The chief executive says there is no

Plan B and is confident he will get the new hospital. He wants to

reassure staff that all hospitals have a similar uphill struggle.

think it would be stupid and naive to suggest this is not a tough

agenda. The situation we are facing is the same across the whole of the

hospital sector in the NHS. It is all part of the 20 billion in

savings which everybody is familiar with the that the NHS is required

to make. Patient were worried it today. I'm lucky I am not ill, but

I do worry about people in hospital, it is a worry. At the end of the

day, they have to offer a service, and have the finances are minimised,

how are they going to be able to offer the same service? We are

going to suffer, nobody else. Bebo are losing jobs already.

there's only one certainty. The NHS can't be the same. Is it going to

be the same throughout the region? It is the first time I have heard

of is happening, but we're talking about 4.5% cuts for all hospitals,

that will be taking place, but there is a feeling that district

general hospitals will be hit harder, and politically, people

think there is a desire to squeeze them out of existence in favour of

bigger hospitals. If that is the case, but politicians do have to

come forward with those proposals, because if you're cutting and

captain, they risk a danger to patients save D. What is the impact

likely to be of cutting back budgets on this scale? It is

difficult to say, but 7% of hospitals budget is staff. One

doctor talked about -- 70%. It could be up to a third of staff,

thousands and thousands of people. We are talking serious numbers, and

people do not know how they're going to make these cuts over five

years. Thanks for joining us this evening.

Later in the programme, a big change on the way for the weather

this weekend. Yes, it's certainly looking cold, and you may well have

heard a rumour about some snow! Well, there's a chance, later on

Sunday - but it's a very uncertain forecast. The details, from me,

A motorcyclist left partially paralysed after a hit and run

accident today begged the driver to apologise. John Parsons was left

for dead on a road in Stoke-on- Trent.

His spine was fractured in three places and he now faces months in a

specialist hospital in Shropshire. He's been talking exclusively to

our reporter Joanne Writtle. John Parsons' family have become

his rock since this happened. remember being thrown in the air, I

remember skidding along the ground, banging my lead, -- leg, and it was

torn up for it. The 24-year-old motorcyclist was hit by a car on

the A500 in Stoke-on-Trent. Two weeks on, police are still

appealing for help to trace the driver who left him in the road.

John, from Stafford, has been left partially paralysed, and faces

months in the renowned spinal injuries centre in Oswestry. All I

want is somebody to turn around and say, I am sorry, I didn't see you,

all I'm sorry, I just wasn't paying attention. I am sorry, that is all

I want, somebody to say that. More than anything else. Apart from that,

I don't really care. Department of Transport figures reveal that

travelling over the same distance, motorcyclists are 63 times more

likely to be killed or seriously injured than car drivers. And

although it's not known whether the driver was insured in John's case,

it's estimated that there are over 1.5 million uninsured motorists on

our roads. We understand that in a number of these accidents, it is

the car drivers's fault, and probably it is when the motor

cyclist is going through a blind spot on the mirror of the car

driver, that is when things happen. John's stepfather had this message

for the driver. It might be that the person has done it panicked,

drove off, we were initially very angry that had happened, but if

they actually come forward and speak to the police, we can get

John's case covered. X-rays show John's spine fractured in three

places. But he has recently regained some movement in one leg,

and doctors are optimistic. And before we left, there was another

small breakthrough. Just having the neck brace off and be able to

actually move your neck free is absolutely amazing, to be honest.

We wish him a speedy recovery. The Education secretary Michael

Gove was met by protests today as he visited the first school in

Birmingham to convert to Academy status.

He wants more schools to go the same way, insisting standards will

be raised. But opponents say it's playing politics with children's

education. Here's our political reporter Susana Mendonca.

An English class with a difference. The man up front clearly isn't

there teacher. Did you like the TV show or find it too confusing?

education secretary is discussion and a book called Animal Farm. This

was a foundation school, but converted to become an academy.

great thing about them is that head teachers have more power to raise

standards, so they can vary the school's Bay, the curriculum could

bring in new qualifications, they can pay good teachers more.

there is a positive reaction in this classroom. It does make a

difference to schools, so far it has made the score better.

started GCSEs a year earlier, so you get more of a chance.

government has invited all schools to convert, and so far, 17 have

done exactly that. But not everyone is convinced that academies are a

good idea. Teachers at his primary went on strike this week at the

plans to turn their school into an academy, and many parents there

have been protesting as well. force a school, giving it no-choice,

to say either you become an Academy or we will come inside, remove your

governors, and make it... It is not democratic. But Michael Gove makes

no apology. It is not a state -- is threat to the children, it is

rescuing them from years of underperformance. Whenever you

change things, the people who are associated with failure say they

are criticising us. Yes I am, because they have allowed children

to leave drama school after seven years of state education, incapable

of reading, writing or adding up properly. He had already left by

the time they turned up. Clearly, this is a fight that is not over.

And Susana's outside Ninestiles School in Acocks Green now. We've

heard Michael Gove's case for academies, why are people against

them, Susana? Many other teachers and teaching unions are worried

about a potential impact upon their pay and conditions. They had those

of local authorities, but academies would be outside of local authority

control, so would have to start from scratch. Some of the parents I

had been speaking to think there will be a lack of accountability,

they will not be on parent-governor boards, but had teacher he says

there are the ways parents can get involved. A third area is whether

or not there would be a two-tier system, where the Academy's get

more funding, and the local authority schools do not. Michael

Gove was keen to say today that is not the case. Assuming they are

going to improve standards, how will we know? It is a difficult

question to answer, the critics say there is no evidence that they will

improve standards, the government says there is. But you only know

when you see the results that students get at the end of their

academic career, and at schools, a child start at a young age, bins at

beer GCSEs, so you could be looking at more than a decade of -- ends at

did GCSEs. Thank you. This region, which of course has

always been known as the heart of British manufacturing, has suffered

a bigger industrial slump than anywhere else in the UK. That's

according to latest figures spanning more than a decade.

Now one senior Labour MP has admitted that his government didn't

do enough to help prevent the decline. Our Business Correspondent

Peter Plisner has been to Coventry, a city that was once the centre of

the UK's automotive industry. dawn has broken.

A new dawn for the UK as the 1997 general election sweeps Labour into

power, but it wasn't a new dawn for Things didn't get better for many

of the region's small manufacturing businesses. At this Coventry firm,

the last decade has been a struggle. A real roller-coaster ride, we have

seen good years at the outset, around 2000, 2001, we have seen a

gradual decline, and some of the major companies we used to supply,

household names, have gone. Coventry has had its fair share of

big factory closures. This is the site of the old Peugeot factory on

the outskirts of the city. It's part of the reason that the West

Midlands has seen a 23% decline in manufacturing output over the last

13 years - the biggest decline anywhere in the country. But it

used to be so different - this newsreel footage shows a royal

visit to the Jaguar car plant Brown's lane. But this is what it

looks like today. At Coventry's Transport Museum, there's an

exhibit charting the rise and fall of the city's automotive industry.

It's a good place to find out from experts why the decline in

manufacturing here been so bad here. What he saw sterling may be 20%

overvalued, that affected our export base. Customers really

struggled for much of the period because of that. In and we saw a

run-down and closure of energy Rover. It all begs the question,

did the Labour government do enough to protect manufacturing jobs?

didn't. We have got to be more, we have got to have a different

approach for the future. This is a key point, manufacturing companies

need access to finance and we have got to persuade young people that

it has a bright future. Despite deep recession, employment levels

are rising again. It is good news for a government keen to rebalance

The let's talk to Steve from the chambers of commerce. What is the

problem, what needs to be done to turn things around, some

manufacturers are doing well. think if you go back to the late

1990s and look at my factory which is becoming unfashionable, there

was an obsession with the financial sector and going forward.

Furthermore, the skills were a big issue. What we saw was a further

obsession with wanting to upscale everybody in terms of sending them

to university. Would you make of Labour admitting they did not do

enough to prevent a decline? -- what do you make? Apologies, we

have lost him. We will go back later if we can. Basil D'Oliveira

did not seek... Still ahead for you this evening - tributes to a

sporting great Basil D'Oliviera, who was so much more than just a

fine cricketer. And how one Premier League club's helping disabled

footballers get to the top in their chosen sport.

Details were revealed today of plans to build a home in the

grounds of a Birmingham hospital for families of injured soldiers

and airmen. The 18 bed property at the Queen Elizabeth will cost four

million pounds, to be paid for partly by charities including Help

for Heroes. The idea's to give military personnel injured in

Afghanistan a place where they can spend time with their nearest and

dearest while they recover. Giles Latcham reports.

In the Houses of Parliament a special occasion to herald a

special project - the building of Fisher House - an idea imported

from an American charity who are helping to meet the �4.2 million

cost. Are my trees have stood shoulder to shoulder and our people

have a special relationship. We disagree from time to time but at

the end of the day if there is trouble the other one is always

there. As I said, I do not view it from the American point of view, a

foreign soil, I view this as an extension of family. This car park

at Birmingham's QE Hospital is where Fisher House will be built.

It will be designed like you are in my home, living room, kitchen, a

big family room for people to spend time together but 18 large family

bedrooms. There's already something like it on a smaller scale. This

home three miles away near the old Selly Oak hospital accommodates the

families of soldiers or airmen injured abroad and flown back to

Birmingham's military hospital. When Paul's son Craig lost both his

legs in Helmand just before Christmas, he moved in to be close

to him, along with Craig's girlfriend. From a family 0.22, it

is a good accommodation. It allows us to be here. Close to him and not

travelling a long way to be here. - family point of view. With the

Royal Centre for Defence Medicine's now based at the new Queen

Elizabeth hospital site, there's an opportunity to build a bigger and

better home. And those who care for the injured say bringing family

closer can only aid recovery. Help for Heroes is another charity

contributing to the cost of the building, but more funds are needed

to run it. Work on the QE's home away from home is due to begin in

April. The cricketing world said goodbye

today to Basil D'Olivera - a player who influenced so much more than

the game he graced with bat and ball. More than a thousand people

gathered at Worcester cathedral today for a memorial service to a

cricketer who also played a significant part in the fall of

apartheid in his native South Africa. Ian Winter was there.

It was a few degrees colder than Cape Town but not a sunny as South

Africa. Under blue skies in Worcester it felt like the

cricketing gods were smiling with fond memories of Basil D'Oliveira.

Famous faces mingled with less familiar cricket lovers each with

their own favourite story about a friend they called Basil. We have

been amazed at the response and the cards and everything. You do not

realise, it has been such a long time and so many people remember

him so well. A wonderful gentleman at the time when he had the

political problem of not being selected but a real gentleman as

far as I was concerned in cricket. Basil D'Oliveira learnt cricket in

Cape Town, everyone noticed his remarkable talent except the South

African government he only saw the colour of his skin. You are born in

a certain area and told to live there, you are told where to go to

school and walk buses to use. It becomes part of you. You live in

the system. You cannot measure it against anything. In 1964 at a 32,

he arrived at New Road, fell in love with Worcestershire and stayed

for the rest of his life. I was forced to smile when I read the

Daily Telegraph which said, Basil D'Oliveira, the cricketer who died

n least 80. -- at least 80. Every seat was taken, similarly heartfelt

tributes, so much genuine affection. Some recall the prolific all

rounder with 44 Test caps, others his outstanding success with

Worcestershire. Everyone a knowledge to his unique role in

helping to end apartheid. I wonder how good he would have been if he

came here when he was 20. I think he would have been possibly up with

the greats rather than just a legend. For almost 30 years as a

player and coach, Basil D'Oliveira was synonymous with Worcestershire

county cricket clubs. Today, they gave thanks for the life of a

legend. Ian's still in Worcester tonight. A poignant occasion, Ian,

but one for celebration too? Yes, very celebratory as well. I

was here for a another memorial service and this was different in

style, context and tone. Basil D'Oliveira was 80 after a long

battle with Parkinson's disease. This was a celebration of his life.

And a magnificent turn out at the cathedral. An indication of what a

significant figure he was. I have never seen Worcester

Cathedral so full. There must have been at least to 1000, close to

1,500 people here. Lenny BG's and tributes. Sir Michael Parkinson

said he was an outstanding talent, hard work and will power to succeed.

He was a hero in the battle against apartheid. His former captain said

he was a true legend of Worcestershire cricket and the

former secretary at new road said in many ways Basil D'Oliveira had

reached all lives on his remarkable journey. Full coverage of the

service on BBC Hereford and Worcester tomorrow morning and a

gallery of pictures to look at by looking on to the website. Lovely

to see this archive pictures. In football, West Bromwich Albion are

aiming for revenge when they host Norwich City in the FA Cup tomorrow

after losing to them just two weeks ago in the Premier League. But away

from the cup and Premier League the club does much good work. This week

it was announced The Hawthorns will be the home to a new academy which

aims to produce football stars for the Paralympics. It's already home

to some of the best blind footballers in the land. Now future

internationals will be groomed at West Bromwich Albion to follow in

the footsteps of Paralympics hopeful Darren Harris from

Wolverhampton. There has always been a lot of talent in this area.

I think we have brought some schoolkids along today, 15, 16 and

had split with this investment we will produce some good players for

the future. The club's disability section, Sporting Club Albion, will

become a centre of excellence thanks to a grant of 8 thousand

pounds a year from the football association. And to celebrate first

team players Ben Foster and Nicky Shorey joined in with a session

this week. Blind football is about the sounds, hitting the ball and

every noise of the walls. And with guidance of where the posts are -

Shorey was able to beat Foster with a spot kick. The players are quite

good. I am quite shocked. It is nice to see, you realise how good

they are. The Midlands already boasts excellent facilities for

blind football in Hereford. It's hosted the world cup in 2010 and is

the base for England. Now young players from across the region can

aspire to play for England and dream of Paralympics gold.

That is astonishing. How do they do it? And to keep up with all the

action involving your club this weekend in the cup or the league,

there'll be full coverage on your BBC local radio station. I reckon

you might have to wrap up warm. Yes, temperatures are taking a

tumble as we head into the weekend. A forecasting headache for the end,

snow ought not to snow? For the time being, ice is concerning us. A

yellow warning tonight and tomorrow. Showers are falling, some contain

some wintry stuff, on high ground. They were cleared away, the skies

will clear. Temperatures will plummet. No wonder there is the

risk of slippery surfaces. There might be cloud around tomorrow, in

the south-east with mist and fog. That will clear away and tomorrow

will be a cracking day, fine and dry with blue skies. You need to

wrap up well, highs of five or six. Through tomorrow night,

temperatures plunging again. A haze of blue. A widespread frost and

freezing fog patches. Sunday, quite a quiet day. Cloud, cold with

temperatures at two or three. Sunday evening, things will get

interesting. A battleground in the weather, cold air from the east and

mild air rushing in from the West. This band of rain, did finding --

defining line and where it meets the cold air a spell of sleet or

snow. Some big uncertainty about where it will come. The worst of

the snow will be in the west across Wales but it could first western

parts of our region. On Monday morning, my advice is to stay in

tune with the forecast. Sorry if you heard me coughing is

your report! -- over your report. A look at tonight's main headlines:

The backlash over bonuses - politicians line up to criticise

the Royal Bank of Scotland payout. And as hospital bosses in

Birmingham insist they can safely manage millions in cutbacks,

consultants say standards of care will be affected. And more about

but reduction in manufacturer on the Sunday politics show. You can

read all about it on his blog. It is of course the start of the

weekend. I don't know what you're up to but do you fancy spending it

in Birmingham? That's what the readers of the New York Times'

travel section are being advised to do. Not Birmingham Alabama but

Birmingham, West Midlands. The paper calls city, big-shouldered,

friendly and fun. Among its suggestions are a trip to the