20/01/2017 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson

Whistle blowers reveal the true scale of problems

The Ambulance Service say the criticisms made have already been

addressed. Prayers for the four members

of the same family - killed in a minibus crash -

while on a pilgrimage Head teachers in Cheshire East

threaten a four-day week - I have never seen anything like it.

It is Draconian. It will destroy some schools.

Breaking sports news - as Liverpool announce

Steven Gerrard's return as a full-time youth coach.

12-hour shifts without a break - faulty equipment and patients' lives

Just some of the shocking claims made tonight by two whistleblowers

Yesterday the service was told it has to improve

But the whistleblowers say the true scale of the problem

Abbie Jones has this exclusive report.

It has got to the point where people's lives are in danger.

Something needs to be done. We need some more staff, more downtime. We

need help. It is a constant battle people are under at the moment. You

are not allowed to let it affect you because you have to get to the next

job. They work on the frontline and say

they, and their profession These ambulance staff

have put their jobs We've disguised their faces -

and their voices - The public needs to know how

understaffed we are. Yesterday's CQC report found one

in six paramedic posts were unfilled But, these whistleblowers say,

also putting lives in danger. You have got paramedics and you have

an emergency medical technicians who are not trained to do exactly what a

paramedic can do. If they are sent out, paramedics are promised but

nine times out of ten they are not enough staff because they are doing

other stuff. They are not right. The other left of the family is

screaming at them to do things. Is that costing lives because you have

a patient who cannot get treatment then? Potentially, yes because they

cannot give the treatment that is required. The QTc found that between

these years there were 2000 incidents were staff waited over one

hour four paramedic back-up. It is scary. Staff go home wondering why

they could not do stuff. Patients are in a life threatening situation.

The core system needs looking at because it is not working. These

whistle-blowers say it is equipment as well as staffing that is woefully

lacking. You are having to supply your own or you do like a makeshift

or you are stealing things from other vehicles that are parked up.

Some doors do not open from the outside, so if there is an accident,

you would not be able to get out. The vehicles are always breaking

down and the heating does not work in the back for the patients.

Inspection was based on one surprise visit and one that was announced.

These staff say managers only make changes if they are made aware of

the visit. Managers go around like headless chickens ordering new

stuff. If the QTc were not there, you would get run ragged. 12 or 13

hours without refreshment breaks. You are driving round, blurred

vision with headaches. People ask for uniforms and wheat months to get

them. These people say we have complained to managers but change

has not happened and the public needs protection. Speaking out as a

last resort to make that happen. Well, Abbie is with us

in the studio now. Abbie, you've put the whistle

blowers' claims to the Yes, we asked for someone to come

onto this programme to talk about what are really serious claims

- but we were told no-one could. We've had a statement

from the Ambulance Service and it's not disputing some of what these

whistleblowers are saying. The service admits that there have

been delays in back up ambulances arriving -

it blames more call outs It says staff taking breaks depends

on the number of incidents and can With the equipment claims it says

the CQC made recommendations It denies anything changed

in the service just because the CQC was coming and says inspectors met

with staff without managers Finally it says it's worked hard

to put right the issues the CQC But we interviewed these

whisteblowers in the last week - and they say understaffing,

stress, backup delays The Manchester family devastated

by a road crash in Saudi Arabia have been remembered during Friday

prayers in Manchester. A baby boy and his grandparents

were among those killed The child's mum, brother and sister

were injured in the accident Our Chief Reporter,

Dave Guest, has more. Friday prayers in Manchester

for lives lost so many miles away. At the Central Manchester Mosque,

they're remembering a local family who are mourning four members killed

when their minibus They'd been on a

pilgrimage to Mecca. We pray specifically for this family

who have lost their lives Among the dead baby Adam Anis -

just two months old. He was just a beautiful child

who had gone with his Little did she know that he was only

to live for two months. He's pictured here with his

grandfather Mohammed Kurshid He was a very, very jolly, friendly

and such a beautiful human being. Mr Kurshid's wife Nosheena,

and her sister Rabia also died, along with two

relatives from Glasgow. A group of 12 people who had gone

on a pilgrimage and half of those Baby Adam's mum, Atika,

was injured along with her other So too were three other

members their group who'd been aboard the minibus when it crashed

on a motorway while travelling Last night, 18 family members flew

out from Manchester to Saudi to comfort those who survived,

and to attend the funerals Those funerals were due to happen

today in the holy city of Medina, the place where they'd been heading

on that fateful journey. It is a time of great sadness,

but I think the family should take some solace in the fact

that they will be resting Whatever caused the crash,

the result is a family left grieving for those who set out on a holy

pilgrimage but who never returned. The mother of a man who was shot

by police has told the Inquiry into his death she believes

it was murder. Father of two Anthony Grainger

was shot by a firearms officer from The force believed Mr Grainger

was part of a group Yes, he did have a bit

of a pass but there are I do not understand

how they can shoot The parents of a teenage girl

who was hit by a scrambler bike and put into a medically-induced

coma say her future 15-year-old Jessica Chisnall

was hit by the bike on Ashton's Green Drive in St Helens

- as she walked home Two men have been

arrested and bailed. A man who used a blow

torch to dry roof timbers at a hotel on the Isle of Man,

causing 17 million pounds of damage, was told by a judge today that he'd

come "within a whisker" repairs at the Mount Murray

in November 2013. He was found guilty of three

health and safety breaches As you've probably just watched,

President Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 45th US president

earlier today, but not In Washington, protesters

smashed windows and clashed Closer to home, there have been

peaceful protests in the North West. Our reporter Yunus Mulla

is in Manchester city centre The arrival of a new president in

the United States has provoked some reaction here. We have seen a number

of protests. There was one in Liverpool earlier and one in

Lancaster. Tonight, it will test it in place here in the centre of

Manchester. -- a protest taking place. Let me ask you this question.

What is wrong with Donald Trump and his supporters say it is time to put

their own interests first? It affects people across the world

because he creates racism and bigotry against Muslims, Mexicans,

were women, people with disabilities. Across the board, what

he says damages those people. A lot of what he said was part of the

rhetoric. Why not wait for the first days and a time limit and judge him

on his actions? I think it is important as we start at as we mean

to go on. We cannot let implement those policies. It is better if we

say we're not going to let him implement them in the first place.

It is important we stand in solidarity with the in America

protesting against him tonight. There are not as many people here as

you expected, is that not a sign that people are abusing the fact

that I going to see a new kind of politics and President? -- people

are accepting the fact. It is against Trump and is bigotry. Thank

you for that. It is the start of the new movement and there are supposed

to be a number of protest taking place over the weekend and in the

next few weeks. Thank you very much. You might recognise

the new chancellor of UCLAN - Ranvir is honoured by the Lancashire

University where she studied. Some head teachers in Cheshire

are warning schools may have to go down to a four day week,

because of government funding cuts. Ministers outlined the biggest

shake-up in school funding But they're already coming under

pressure to make changes. Some subjects are also at risk,

as our Cheshire Political Reporter Two professions Alsager School may

not be be producing in future unless the Government's

new funding formula changes. I want to use it for

when I'm older so I can cook on my own without having

someone do it for me. I think it is important

for young people to learn about it and I really enjoy cooking

different foods every week. It is devastating if this

came off the curriculum. A whole generation

would miss out and we Under the plans, this

school would lose ?150,000, nearly 3%

of its budget. And to make up the numbers,

these subjects could go, or a four day week could

even be introduced. Yes, under this proposal

they are at risk. Those art, music, those drama,

those technology subjects. It is going to have a massive,

massive impact on the provision we give to our children

in an area of deprivation. But the schools in this area

were already amongst Under the new system the basic level

of funding for each pupil in East Cheshire would go down

by an average of ?87 each. But that basic level would be

about ?2,700 less per pupil than the best funded area

of England, in London. Also, Trafford, Stockport,

the West of Cheshire and Warrington would be joining east

Cheshire in the bottom ten. The Government says its new formula

would help "create a system that funds schools according to the needs

of their pupils, And top-ups do mean some schools

in deprived areas of Knowsley, Halton or even East Cheshire

will get more cash. But the Government is

facing pressure to come Our political editor will have more

on that story on the Sunday politics north-west. That is at 11 o'clock on

Sunday. The name is in the title, isn't it?

Tomorrow a Merseyside family who should be in a restaurant

Oliver King, from Liverpool, died from a hidden heart problem

But his family decided to channel their grief into making

sure that heart defibrillators are available in as many

And so far their work has saved 11 lives.

Oliver King would have been 18 tomorrow.

His dad has no doubt about what kind of young man he'd have been.

He would have been tall, handsome, as all the

Just after a swim at school he suffered sudden

arrythmic death syndrome - a hidden problem that can affect

If there'd been a defibrillator to get his heart going again

The charity his family set up have given out more than a thousand

defibrillators across the country since their loss.

The first was at a primary school in Anfield.

We're privileged to have been chosen as the first school

to get the defibrillator and the training alongside that as well.

We do believe it has given us a lot

more confidence to be able to manage an incident.

Defibrillators provided by Oliver's charity

From a four year old to a 65 year old.

When you think about those 11 lives, what goes through your mind? There

is one word when you get that phone call, devastation. That never goes

away. People see you out and about and they think, it is five years

down the line. They do not have a clue. Have not got a clue. This has

shattered my heart. You draw the curtains because nothing I say or do

or anyone does is going to bring Oliver back. You can pull the

curtains aside and seek this has got to stop. These lives have got to

stop being lost. 12 people under 35 every week

in the UK. Tomorrow his family will visit

the cemetery and climb Moel Famau in Wales,

a mountain Oliver loved. They're also now campaigning to set

up a heart screening centre in Liverpool and to get

defibrillators in all The wonderful work being done in the

name of all that came. -- in the name of Oliver King.

Stuart Flinders is here with the sport.

News of one in for Manchester City, one out for United.

He is going back there to lead the academy and it is a perfect choice.

He started as a youngster at the Academy himself. 700 appearances for

himself. Liverpool say he will bring expertise from a glittering career

at the highest level. I imagine it will be popular with the fans as

well. I imagine there will be younger ones and they are who don't

even remember him. I doubt it. It's a tough job managing one

of the world's biggest clubs, and he's already admitted -

and it is only January - that City are out of

the title running. So, on his birthday he took

a few of his players to the cinema - not to see a high action thriller -

but to watch a musical that An escape into La La

Land is probably just Pep Guardiola's own City of Stars

is ten points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea and facing

a battle to finish in No wonder Pep wanted

to escape into La La Land. Back into the real world of a City

press conference today. I would prefer to be on top but it

is not that situation. I want to handle that. It is the first time in

my life. I will handle that. Then came management. Trophy after

trophy with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Is that going to happen

every time? I think so. Success at city is not coming as easily. Maybe

I am not good enough. Yes, you are. He has got to be given time and

money to do what he needs to do. It is a transition period I think. He

has not got the players that he once yet. I think maybe next season. Is

the Premier League harder than the other leagues? It is not better or

worse than Spain or Germany but... The winner has been recruited for a

?27 million and his new team is still capable as delighting as

disappointing. For a club and manager that expects trophies, these

are anxious times. For a quarter of the century as player and as

manager, he has known nothing but success. Now, he is under real

pressure to ensure his own city All-Stars does not slip into a lark

lark land. -- city of starters. -- City are at home to 2nd

placed Spurs tomorrow. Manchester United have sold

Memphis Depay to the French side Lyon for a fee thought to be

16 million pounds, rising The Netherlands forward

had been linked with Tonight, Bury travel

to Port Vale in League One. But The Shakers' new signing

Jermaine Pennant is waiting for international clearance before

he can make his debut. The 34-year-old, former Liverpool

and Wigan midfielder has commanded transfer fees of over ?10 million

in his career. He'd most recently been

playing in Singapore. BBC Radio Manchester

will bring you full match a good signing for them, I would

have thought. Onto rugby union -

The sacked Sale Sharks winger Tom Arscott says he's "extremely

disappointed" to lose his job. It follows allegations

that he leaked information In a statement, Arscott said

he would co-operate fully with the ongoing investigation

by the Rugby Football Union. Sale are at home to Scarlets in

the European Champions Cup tomorrow. With the start of the new Super

League season just three weeks away, Salford Red Devils have

signed controversial The 2010 "international player

of the year" was released And one little footnote

to tonight's sport. Wayne Rooney's testimonial match

between Manchester United and Everton last year

raised ?1.2 million. The money will go to the NSPCC

and three north west Well done to them. Annabel has

composed herself. Are you find? Still feeling a bit gooey? We're

going to talk about your good lunch now. Earlier we saw the rally in

Manchester as President Trump's inauguration took place. There was

another inauguration today. They were not protesting in Preston.

Formerly of this parish was sworn in as the Chancellor. I was invited

along and we had a chat before her ceremony. I am on your throne. This

is where you are going to be sitting. You know I do not like to

be centre of attention. This is a low key affair. Silver into my down.

This is what you wear normally. Whenever we go out for a drink, I

wear this. It is a serious occasion. We are very proud of you. It feels a

bit surreal but there is nothing I like more than being from

Lancashire. When people say, how do you identify yourself? I think of

Lancashire first. More than anything else, my religion, my country. I am

Lancashire. To be given this opportunity. This is where I started

my journalism career and as a 20-year-old I had that really small

kernel of hope that I might do the national news. One day I might do

News at ten. I would never say it because it might have sounded

ludicrous then. To have done those things and to be sitting here, you

know, it is amazing how I have turned out sometimes. What are you

going to bring? Why have they picked you? It is a good question, Annabel.

I think there are two things, Lancashire and the north-west has

been doing that people from all sorts of different backgrounds. And

back in our day, university chancellors were white middle aged

men are older or in industry. You did not know what they did or at the

world well connected. I am none of those things and that is a sign of

the University recognising times have changed. I know you have had

family here today. How proud I they argue? I think they are shocked

really. All these people are here for you? You do not even wash the

dishes at home, is what they say. It is nice for me because my son is

here. He is only four years old. I think these occasions are a good

time to just pause and reflect and to say thank you, actually. I really

want to say thank you to my family for being there and giving me this

ambition. Isn't it nice to see her? Fantastic. It was a lovely day and

very well-deserved. Why do they not pick you? I know!

Very good luck with your new job to her. Now for the weather. The sun

came out today as promised. It did come out but it took some time to

travel north and move into parts of Lancashire and Cumbria. Some

beautiful shots across the north-west of England. Hardly a

cloud in the sky. You will see more sunshine tomorrow. The week in

Brixton tomorrow in the way of sunshine than we have seen at any

point this week. -- this weekend. Wind from the north-west and it is

swung round and bringing that cold a. Snow in places in parts of Spain

they have seen snow. We're not going to cease note but the cold air. This

is why we have the drop in temperatures. As this cold air comes

in, it is going to stay around next week. If you have not enjoyed that

cloudy weather and mild weather, we're back to where we should be at

this time of year. There is a price to pay and that has been felt across

the north-west. Hardly a cloud in the sky. The temperatures will fall

rapidly. Blue about everywhere. A frost just about anywhere first

thing. Even bigger towns city. One Celsius as the temperature. Rule

three down to minus three. -- in rural areas. It is going to look

lovely tomorrow. From the blues on the chart, you can clearly see that

temperatures will take some time to recover. The day of two halves. Up

until lunchtime, it looks great. The Pennines, the cloud is rolling and

spreading everywhere. Coastal areas will be last and a lovely day for

the most part. Best of the weather first thing in the morning. The air

temperatures are at low and the cloud in the afternoon, a gloomy

affair. Into Sunday, a touch of frost and Sunday patchy cloud, sunny

spells and it should be dry. Good. Thank you very much. Do you have a

lottery ticket? I do not but I will do that at seven o'clock. I do mine

online. I do not know how closely you checked your lottery tickets.

It's likely that someone in Cheshire doesn't do it often enough.

That's because the deadline to claim their prize passed last night.

A guaranteed million pound ticket - bought somewhere in Cheshire West

and Chester on July 23rd last year - has gone unclaimed.

The money's now been given to good causes.

Should we not have done this yesterday? Have a great weekend.

Goodbye. TV: He's not your father.

WOMAN GASPS