19/09/2013 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Annabel Tiffin and

Perfect partners — the hospital twinnings aiming to bring about

We'll also be hearing about the Morecambe Bay hospital trust still

failing in emergency care. Also tonight. I will be explaining how

these weapons were used by a gang that mounted a turf war for control

of the drugs market in parts of Ensuring a lasting legacy for Nicola

— the father of one of the murder Manchester policewomen preparing for

a polar challenge. It's a legacy for something that continues in the

Liverpool's mayor wants to scrap the And are they bonkers? The Manchester

It was a shocking indictment of patient care. Poor staffing levels,

appalling medical errors and bad management were revealed in the

Keogh Report in July, with problems so serious at East Lancashire and

Tameside that the Trusts were placed in special measures. Today the

Government announced they'll be partnered with the best NHS Trusts

improvements. The troubled Trusts have also announced just how they're

reporter, Abbie Jones, joins us have also announced just how they're

The Keogh Review revealed our region has some of the worst performing

hospitals in England. But it also has some of the best. Now they'll

partner up. For Tameside that means being matched with the University

Hospital of South Manchester at Wythenshawe, while East Lancashire

will work with Newcastle—upon—Tyne. Salford Royal, where matrons are

demoted if standards slip, will partner Buckinghamshire. Senior

managers, doctors and nurses from those good Trusts will physically go

into Tameside and East Lancashire. Money will be available to backfill

them, and the Trusts could be paid extra if they produce real results.

Salford Royal and Wythenshawe is to love the best hospitals in the NHS

and the very best way that we can turn around hospitals with very

troubled histories is by giving turn around hospitals with very

access to the practical skills —— two of the best hospitals. Salford

Royal has one of the best safety records in the whole NHS. And that's

not the only reason Salford Royal has been chosen. It has the fifth

lowest death rate in England, and staff do hourly checks on every

Manchester is top in the north west satisfaction. It's been working

Manchester is top in the north west Tameside for six months and Karen

James, Tameside's interim Chief hospital. She says things have

already improved through the Trusts working together. We've actually

improved the number of nurses that are on the wards. We have improved

out of hours medical cover. We are starting to actually achieve the

four hour Accident and Emergency target, and certainly that is the

first time within nearly the last 12 months. But those who've experienced

poor patient care at Tameside, like Maria Theofilous, whose father

picked up two superbugs, are still sceptical. Hopefully they will have

views of what they have been doing over there and they will bring it to

Tameside. You know, people will over there and they will bring it to

hopefully trust the hospital because with it being the highest death

hopefully trust the hospital because in Manchester, it has scared a lot

of people away. Meanwhile East Lancashire says it's also been

working hard since the Keogh review. 16 extra trained nurses and health

care assistants have been recruited. —— 60. And it's opened an extra

care assistants have been recruited. on the Burnley General Hospital

improvement plans will be made public every month, and senior

through will be sacked. But it will take time before we know whether

they've truly turned themselves Meanwhile Morecambe Bay Hospitals

criticism, this time for failing to meet targets set for emergency care.

Out of 49 recommendations, just seven have been fully met. The

improvements. But inspectors say progress has been worryingly slow.

Warhurst is in Lancaster now. Nina, Unfortunately, I don't think she can

hear us just now. Hopefully we will be able to join her in a little

while. Let's bring you some other news while we try and establish

searching an address in Lancashire following raids in the south of

earlier this week in connection following raids in the south of

suspected terrorism in Syria. There have been no arrests in Lancashire

and the exact location of the raids A woman from Wigan has been charged

with animal cruelty offences after four dogs killed a teenage girl

with animal cruelty offences after Concannon has been charged with

with animal cruelty offences after offences under the Animal Welfare

Act. Jade Lomas—Anderson was killed while visiting a friend's house

Act. Jade Lomas—Anderson was killed Atherton earlier this year. The

Act. Jade Lomas—Anderson was killed Liverpool's Lime Street station

could be transformed to allow faster and bigger trains to stop in the

city. The trains would join from the end of the of the proposed High

Speed two line at Crewe. The current HS2 plans don't include Liverpool

but meetings have been taking place today to see how the North West

but meetings have been taking place benefit. Let's try and join Nina

again. She has been talking about how improvements have been slow

again. She has been talking about emergency care at Furness General

Hospital and the Royal Lancaster. I was trying to ask you before, how

worrying are these findings? Hello because when inspectors came here in

January of 2012, they were really worried about what they found.

Things like not enough staff in paediatric care, departments that

you may need eating properly and that directly affecting care. ——

apartment is not communicating recommendations and when they came

back in April this year, they found that only three of them had been

met. The hospital said that it had only been 18 months and that they

had made significant improvements. changes had happened, but they are

criticism and another blow to staff working hard to build trust. Last

recommendations to change emergency care but by April this year, only

seven had been met. Inspectors raised particular concern around

paediatric staffing, complaints handling, and a culture of a culture

reluctant to change. We visited Furness General Hospital in April.

We were disappointed to find that took instant regulatory action at

that point to make sure that that was put right. Just as top hospital

bosses are today being moved so was put right. Just as top hospital

can share their skills, Joanne came here from Salford Royal as a senior

nurse 18 months ago. She knows there's a long way to go. With only

be seven recommendations met, is that good enough? We have more to

do. We need to make sure that the patients and families within our

communities are confident. We know we are making progress with that. I

am out and about all of the time. Clearly, we would want it to be

inspectors agree that there have been improvements in standards of

quality and care with clinicians and not managers leading the way. Their

concerns are around whether those improvements can be sustained and

built upon. This is all part of Morecambe Bay's journey and they are

confident that in time, standards here will be as high as they are in

Nina, it does seem that we hear here will be as high as they are in

Morecambe Bay. I'd these criticisms as bad as we have heard in the

past? No. I think we have to keep this in context. It is not like

past? No. I think we have to keep criticisms over the maternity unit.

I spent some of the morning in here and it is important to point out

just how dedicated and passionate the staff in here are. For example,

in the past year, they have managed to/ AMD waiting times were other

struggled in those areas. —— reduce Accident and Emergency waiting

times. They are confident that in the coming years they will see a lot

of those targets met. They just the coming years they will see a lot

to prove that to inspectors. And as we have been hearing, we can expect

more twinning. The staff thing that is a good idea? —— the staff think

that is a good idea? It does make sense, doesn't it? Why not learn

from the people who are doing the hospitals are not like restaurants.

You can just switch managers around. fundamental principles of running a

hospital and people like David Dalton, who walked into Salford

hospital and people like David years ago with a pledge to making

Salford one of the most safe in years ago with a pledge to making

NHS, he says it can be done. Thank A drugs gang who fought a turf war

with their rivals are beginning A drugs gang who fought a turf war

sentences tonight. Police say it's a miracle no one was killed when they

tried to settle scores by shooting at their enemies. Chester Crown

Court was told the four men had effectively cornered the market

Court was told the four men had supplying heroin and cocaine in

Court was told the four men had Reporter, Dave Guest, has the story.

They were four lads from Liverpool with ambitions to expand their

illicit drugs business. They were coming into Cheshire, and they took

violence and intimidation. They coming into Cheshire, and they took

up a safe house in this first floor flat, and stockpiled it with drugs,

guns and ammunition. When they fell out with a rival gang, they decided

to settle scores with violence. Brady Cole spotted one of their

rivals in Halewood, and opened fire on him. This weapon was used as

rivals in Halewood, and opened fire shooting when the police ——. When

the police recovered it, it was fully loaded and ready for action.

automatic machine gun. The police also recovered a stash of drugs

automatic machine gun. The police ammunition from behind the heavily

fortified front door. The men kept a fierce pit bull terrier to keep

unwanted visitors at bay. They showed no consideration for the

safety of the community, for their lives the lives of others. Their

violence was escalating and it was imperative that they were caught. At

Chester Crown Court, Cole and Jamie Barnet admitted possessing firearms

with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Dean Kenton and Lewis Gandy admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition.

The recorder of Chester said it possessing a firearm and ammunition.

clear that the gang had revelled in the violence associated with their

drugs trade. He said they had become carried away with their own sense of

importance and it was vital that a message went out that the sort of

behaviour would not be tolerated. He years, and the other two for six

years each. Some other stories. improving the railway line between

frequency of trains will be doubled to increase capacity. It comes after

years of campaigning by railway enthusiasts and local politicians.

And Blackpool's Tram system is to be expanded. More than £16 million

And Blackpool's Tram system is to be been awarded to extend the service

from the Promenade to Blackpool And the Animal World and Butterfly

House in Moss Bank Park in Bolton is council says it'll work with the

RSPCA to find new homes for the animals which include guinea pigs,

swans and goats. Six park rangers Lancashire Police has revealed how

it's going to save £20 million as part of the latest round of cuts.

There will be management changes, and more than a hundred and fifty

officers' posts will go. But with £40 million already saved, are the

people of Lancashire getting a poorer service or better value for

money? Stuart Flinders reports. Policing the old fashioned way in

Preston. But things are changing in million to save, the force has

already cut forty million and today announced the next £20 million of

cuts. There's still another thirteen million yet to find. The latest

cuts. There's still another thirteen mean management changes and the

cuts. There's still another thirteen including 165 police officers. And

yet, through all this, crime in Lancashire is falling. What evidence

is there of a direct link between the cuts and your ability to police

emerging spikes of and some crime types, such as sexual offences.

emerging spikes of and some crime specifically because of the cuts? ——

IDs one specifically because of cuts? I think we can pin that on the

supple enquirer. And there is no force in the country that is not

seen shoplifting go up. —— the Jimmy Savile inquiry. From the Police

seen shoplifting go up. —— the Jimmy Crime Commissioner, warning the

Government. It is so far so good, however, they have got to understand

the consequences of the decisions that they have taken. But you are

consequences over. What I am also saying is that we are only part

consequences over. What I am also through the cuts. Lancashire police

existing staff. Their message to central Government appears to be

that any further cuts might just be And you can hear more on that story

tomorrow on Graham Liver's Breakfast show on BBC Radio Lancashire. Graham

will be getting reaction from the local Police Federation just after

Still to come on North West Tonight. cyclists to the top is set to become

one of the most important men in world sport. And we are at the

Manchester car park that has gone The father of one of the policewomen

murdered in Manchester last year is planning to set up a Foundation

murdered in Manchester last year is her memory. Bryn Hughes has entered

next year's North Pole Marathon her memory. Bryn Hughes has entered

start his fundraising drive. The first anniversary of Nicola Hughes's

death passed yesterday. She was gunned down with colleague Fiona

Bone investigating a bogus report of a burglary in Greater Manchester. If

you were watching last night, you'll know Bryn and his family gave us

their only interview to mark the anniversary. Tonight, we hear more

about the icy challenge which lies It is a massive challenge. Only

about the icy challenge which lies people a year completed. It is the

only marathon in the world that people a year completed. It is the

motivation is making sure people remember Nicola and what sort of

They call it the coolest marathon on earth, and nobody would dispute

They call it the coolest marathon on with temperatures touching —30

Celsius, it is a daunting challenge. I thought he was crazy. But we

talked about it and he explained that he wanted to do something

really different to remember Nicola and we've thrown ourselves behind it

now. That something positive for us Sam —— and Nicola's brother Sam

now. That something positive for us making sure his dad has stomach

now. That something positive for us it. I he'll get there. I think you

will anyway. I hope he does. I hope he comes back. Winter evenings will

be spent in meticulous preparation and searching for sponsors. He hopes

to raise money for victim support for the care of police survivors,

and the Northwest police Benevolent Fund. But the ultimate aim is to

create a Foundation in Nicola's name, perhaps to help people who

have lost children through crime. As a legacy, I think she would be

Bryn's big run is next April. If you'd like to find out more about

the challenge, you can find details www.justgiving.com/pchughesnorthpol—

erun. That is all one word. We wish Love them or loathe them, bus lanes

are a feature in most towns and cities. The aim is to keep traffic

drivers believe they cause more congestion. The Mayor of Liverpool

has now decided to suspend the city's bus lanes for nine months.

Joe Anderson believes that will allow traffic to flow more freely.

It's mid afternoon in Liverpool allow traffic to flow more freely.

the traffic here is already busy. At peak times this bus lane is enforced

but the Mayor of Liverpool wants to suspend the city's bus lanes for

nine months Some drivers support Joe Anderson's plans. Originally the bus

lanes were designed to try and take buses away from busy routes. I do

not believe that that has worked. We have CCTV footage which actually

proves that in some cases, they cause more congestion. Some driver

support the plan. I was a cross cause more congestion. Some driver

car 's length and I got a £30 fine. And if you don't go across you can

cause an accident. People try to cut in, you might forget there are

people coming on, and it is so difficult to time. Liverpool's major

bus companies are not happy — they believe suspending the lanes will

create congestion and make buses late. We carry 80 million passengers

per year in Merseyside, and our passengers want to know" there are

get eaten punctual service. Bus lanes are really important —— want

to know their bus will be on time. There are some bus users who want

more bus lanes. I don't think people take any notice of these bus lanes!

The Mayor says he will review the bus lanes at the end of the trial.

View quick bits of sports News. Lancashire's cricketers are on the

verge of assuming the title in the second division, while in football,

Wigan are history by playing their first game in Europe. There are

Lancashire who next week could become one of the most important men

in world sport. Brian Cookson, from Whalley, is the current president of

British Cycling. He's the favourite to be elected as the head of the

UCI, which runs the sport. Stuart Cavendish has won the world title!

This region is used to producing cycling World Championships and

This region is used to producing the end of next week, it could have

a world leader. Mark Cookson is the end of next week, it could have

favourite to be the next head of the UCI. The current head has been

disgraced by his association with already has 17 of his foes pledge.

Elections can be won and lost in the cleaning up the sport's drug tainted

image and doing more to promote women cycling. It is. Transparent

enough, people do not trust it any more. —— it is not transparent

enough. One of the most persuasive arguments in Brian's favour is that

by pointing to what he has achieved here, at the National Cycling Centre

in Manchester, where he has been the president of British cycling for the

past 15 years. What drives a man to retire from his job in the council

and take on one of the toughest retire from his job in the council

in international sport? It is not that sudden, is it? I have been

doing two jobs. My children are that sudden, is it? I have been

grown up so that is not a problem. My wife is very happy with the

prospect of spending some years looking in Switzerland. And if the

vote goes his way, he and his wife will soon be swapping the Ribble

Valley for the banks of Lake Geneva. dropping from the trees recently,

but what do you think one of these conkers is worth? Well, 20p, if

but what do you think one of these want to use it to pay for your

parking in one part of Manchester City Centre. Catch! Thanks for that.

Where have you been keeping this? A car park in the Northern Quarter is

allowing customers to pay in conkers and pledging to plant them into

allowing customers to pay in conkers forest in return. So will it grow?

Naomi Cornwell's been investigating. Ever thought the cost of city centre

parking was bonkers? Well here, Ever thought the cost of city centre

have so far had £300 worth redeemed, chestnut trees. At the car park

have so far had £300 worth redeemed, Tara Street you can stay for two

hours for 15 conkers. No, you pay at the office. You've been dealing

hours for 15 conkers. No, you pay at the customers. Show me your conkers.

Here are the ones we have had up until now. But mind you stick to the

rules. All customers must adhere to household can exchange conkers

within the time period. The National Cruelty To Conkers has investigated

the scheme and found it good. You can pay in conkers, what do you

environment, then I am for it. The horse chestnut season is in full

swing, but there is a limit to how much you can cash in on the conker

currency. The company will accept up to 50 for each visit. That is to

help rejuvenate the High Street to 50 for each visit. That is to

the retail environment for the basically have to reduce parking

costs. We will see how it goes. basically have to reduce parking

horsing around going on. It might be motorists, but the squirrels want

I think it's a good idea. Why not? Changeable, but on the up. I have

some reasonable news for you. If you watch the board, it really does

some reasonable news for you. If you in all the way through to Sunday and

Monday as well. Has only will it be? It depends on how much the cloud

cover breaks. The cloud could be a bit of an issue for us. We will

cover breaks. The cloud could be a more in the way of sunshine on this

side of the Pennines, but I do think we will see some from time to time.

The temperatures could hit 20 or 21 degrees in the sunshine. So it turns

gradually get brighter and brighter. The shocking sight of the day, that

morning. That disappeared throughout brightened up through the afternoon

as well, with many places seeing spells of sunshine. One to spot

as well, with many places seeing showers still around right now but

the story from here on out really is that cloud cover is the main story

through the night. The breeze has There will be a break every now

through the night. The breeze has then. Temperatures will be around

tomorrow, it is a better day than today. The morning is still very

great and fairly overcast, but the cloud cover will break through the

morning and after lunchtime, there should be more in the way of bright

skies and sunny spells. It will should be more in the way of bright

long way off, that good sunshine, with light winds and brighter skies,

it is still not a bad picture. In terms of temperatures, there is

it is still not a bad picture. In 16 will be about as good as it gets.

And at the weekend, a possibility of We have had lots and lots of comment

on Facebook about the conkers idea, but my favourite is from Tim, who

says that it will have to be a real pay and display machine! I thought

that was very good. Put this over here in this encase you decide to