:00:00. > 3:59:59normal temperatures. Peter, thank you. That is all from me. Now on BBC
:00:00. > :00:11.One we Treating patients like they're
:00:12. > :00:13.shifting boxes ` criticism of the company providing hospital
:00:14. > :00:18.transport in parts of the region. Drivers working for NSL have
:00:19. > :00:35.told Spotlight they have serious The drivers are harassed and worried
:00:36. > :00:40.all day long to move onto the next pick up or drop`off.
:00:41. > :00:43.An unacceptable number of sewage overflows onto our beaches.
:00:44. > :00:46.A campaign group lobbies MP's to limit the amount of discharges
:00:47. > :00:49.Sorting out the not spots ` a solution is offered
:00:50. > :00:59.And a huge turn`out for Honiton's hot pennies.
:01:00. > :01:01.Some ambulance staff providing hospital transport in the South West
:01:02. > :01:06.say they don't have time to give vulnerable patients
:01:07. > :01:08.the service they deserve and their company treats patients
:01:09. > :01:13.The NHS in Devon says problems with patient transport are unacceptable.
:01:14. > :01:16.There have also been concerns in other parts of the country.
:01:17. > :01:21.Health commissioners in Kent have given the same firm, NSL, an
:01:22. > :01:33.Our Health Correspondent Sally Mountjoy has this exclusive report.
:01:34. > :01:49.Three days a week, Diana travels full kidney dialysis. She has had
:01:50. > :01:55.many problems because the driver has two drop`off patients a long way off
:01:56. > :01:59.route. You are tired after your dialysis anyway and sometimes you're
:02:00. > :02:12.feeling very well will stop all you want to do is get home. All they are
:02:13. > :02:18.worried about is running their business. She has had a letter to
:02:19. > :02:27.say a shortfall affects many of their patients. NSL and the Dover
:02:28. > :02:33.the business to another company last September.
:02:34. > :02:45.`` handed over. Two ambulance crew have told us of their concerns and
:02:46. > :02:50.we are not identifying them but they said poor scheduling means they are
:02:51. > :02:53.frequently late and have to overload ambulances with more and billet ``
:02:54. > :02:58.patients than they can care for and have no time to ensure people are
:02:59. > :03:03.safe at home when they dropped off. The drivers are hurried to move onto
:03:04. > :03:10.the next appointment and pick up. It doesn't allow time for that. It is
:03:11. > :03:16.distressing to drivers who fundamentally come from a care
:03:17. > :03:20.background may be. We sometimes have the wrong information for a patient
:03:21. > :03:25.and are constantly apologising profusely because we are getting the
:03:26. > :03:30.wrong timings. The thing that strikes us is they have a lack of
:03:31. > :03:33.understanding of the fact they are transporting patients. These are
:03:34. > :03:44.people who are vulnerable by virtue of being ill or after an operation.
:03:45. > :03:50.NSL run transport in Kent where the NHS has given them an ultimatum.
:03:51. > :03:54.Improved performance of a section. The Care Quality Comission published
:03:55. > :03:55.reports earlier this year and inspectors are due to report on
:03:56. > :04:12.their progress next month. Well Doctor Belinda Webb is
:04:13. > :04:14.a spokeswoman for NSL. I asked her what she thought
:04:15. > :04:17.of the criticism from the drivers We don't view patients
:04:18. > :04:21.as boxes to be shifted. We train our colleagues to
:04:22. > :04:23.the highest levels. We do have KPI's to meet
:04:24. > :04:26.and they are set out in the contract They state we have 15 minutes to
:04:27. > :04:30.collect the patient either from You are dealing with elderly or
:04:31. > :04:38.vulnerable patients and to enforce that wouldn't be
:04:39. > :04:43.the best thing to do. That is not what
:04:44. > :04:46.the drivers are telling us. They say they feel harassed
:04:47. > :04:48.and hurried. Let us put indicators to one side
:04:49. > :04:50.because we are talking about real human beings here,
:04:51. > :04:55.patients and drivers both We have very good internal reporting
:04:56. > :05:03.procedures and I must say I am confused why
:05:04. > :05:09.colleagues would come straight to the BBC as their first port of call
:05:10. > :05:13.in saying they are harassed. Are you saying
:05:14. > :05:17.your drivers who have contacted us They have a legitimate complaint if
:05:18. > :05:23.they feel that way and if they feel harassed but their first port of
:05:24. > :05:29.call should be their line manager. You can argue whether they have
:05:30. > :05:32.taken the right approach but those complaints have now been
:05:33. > :05:36.made and made quite forcibly. We would ask any colleague who
:05:37. > :05:43.feels harassed and pressured We have well`publicised procedures
:05:44. > :05:51.and it has to be reiterated and I feel as though I must always do this
:05:52. > :05:56.when speaking to the media, that the vast majority of patients throughout
:05:57. > :05:58.the south`west are taken to their You seem to be dismissing it
:05:59. > :06:05.a little too easily. Why did they say there was
:06:06. > :06:09.a shortfall in the service We work closely with the Royal Devon
:06:10. > :06:16.and Exeter hospital and will This is not a stand`alone service,
:06:17. > :06:23.it works We have 15 minutes per patient to
:06:24. > :06:32.get on board a vehicle and there are often factors that are
:06:33. > :06:37.not in our control. Those patients suffer
:06:38. > :06:40.extraordinarily when you don't get to them on time
:06:41. > :06:44.as we have heard in a report. One patient is saying it has become
:06:45. > :06:47.so reliable, she gets so frustrated that she is on the verge of a
:06:48. > :06:50.breakdown because of the transport I fully sympathise with her and I
:06:51. > :07:07.know waiting for your transport is I would urge her to let us
:07:08. > :07:11.have full details of those. We have feedback forms
:07:12. > :07:13.on board the vehicles but I also feel as if I have to
:07:14. > :07:17.provide context and say we do get the majority of patients to their
:07:18. > :07:20.appointments early and on time. And we'd like to hear views
:07:21. > :07:31.on that story, especially if you are You can get in touch in a variety
:07:32. > :07:35.of ways including E`mail, Twitter, The addresses you need are all
:07:36. > :07:43.on your screen now. The sudden death of a man
:07:44. > :07:46.in Weymouth is being treated Police were called to a flat in
:07:47. > :07:51.St Leonard's Road in Chapelhay They found the body
:07:52. > :07:56.of a 43`year`old man. Police say they're not able to
:07:57. > :08:00.release any further details. Plans to merge fire services
:08:01. > :08:02.in Dorset and Wiltshire to save money were
:08:03. > :08:04.considered by councillors today. A full merger is one
:08:05. > :08:06.of three options. Others could see Wiltshire remain
:08:07. > :08:09.a stand alone service but working closer with local councils
:08:10. > :08:13.and cutting backroom staff. The Fire Brigades Union
:08:14. > :08:18.has voiced concerns. A new tarmac runway has been
:08:19. > :08:21.completed at Land's End Airport It replaces a grass runway that
:08:22. > :08:27.was often closed in heavy rain. It had been due to open last week
:08:28. > :08:31.but there was a problem with The campaign group,
:08:32. > :08:39.Surfers Against Sewage says the number of sewage overflows onto
:08:40. > :08:42.Southwest beaches is unacceptable. It says there have been more than
:08:43. > :08:45.3,600 spills on over 300 beaches across
:08:46. > :08:49.the country in the last four years. The organisation has released
:08:50. > :08:52.a new smart phone application which warns users about overflows
:08:53. > :08:56.from sewage plants and gives the Spotlight's David George
:08:57. > :09:14.reports from Gwithian. A loan paddler. The beach soon fills
:09:15. > :09:23.up. It is a popular spot yet there has been four raw sewage overflows
:09:24. > :09:29.here including one which closed the beach a surfing competition last
:09:30. > :09:33.month. Are said to have had to wade through raw sewage to get out of the
:09:34. > :09:39.water. Beach users protested about it at the weekend. I became
:09:40. > :09:46.incredibly ill. My guests wail as well. I decided that enough is
:09:47. > :09:51.enough and it has been happening for years. Nothing has changed and there
:09:52. > :09:55.has been no investment. There are 1700 of these out Paul's. This one
:09:56. > :10:01.will flow into the red River here and eventually download the beach a
:10:02. > :10:05.mile away. The regulations allow overflows to take place and usually
:10:06. > :10:11.happen when sewage works become inundated after heavy rainfall. They
:10:12. > :10:25.have been discharging for years that they are unacceptable. It is the
:10:26. > :10:28.sea. A new phone application created by surfers warns beach users when
:10:29. > :10:33.overflows happen and gives the history of spills on 300 beaches
:10:34. > :10:38.across the country. You can be warned when there is an overflow and
:10:39. > :10:42.you can find out when it happens. Is this a one if `` one`off event or a
:10:43. > :10:49.more chronic problem that is impacting your beach long term? The
:10:50. > :10:53.group lobbying MPs and ministers to change the rules to limit discharges
:10:54. > :10:54.to only nine times a year with only three of those in the summer bathing
:10:55. > :10:58.season. And David is live for us tonight
:10:59. > :11:00.at Gwithian. David,
:11:01. > :11:13.what are South West Water saying? And wanted to put some of the points
:11:14. > :11:19.raised by surfers to someone from Southwest water. They sent a long
:11:20. > :11:26.statement and I will summarise it. A huge amount of money were spent in
:11:27. > :11:30.the past. That is the clean sweep project and before that sewage in
:11:31. > :11:36.the sea was a regular occurrence. They say these combined outfalls are
:11:37. > :11:45.an important and legal way of protecting premises from flooding.
:11:46. > :11:51.They say they comply with the current regulations on say this year
:11:52. > :11:54.alone they have spent ?20 million at seven locations in Devon and
:11:55. > :12:00.Cornwall to make the season even cleaner. This evening, the weather
:12:01. > :12:05.has changed and there is a lot of rain falling in West Cornwall. If I
:12:06. > :12:10.switched to the cleaner service app, I can tell you that none of the
:12:11. > :12:15.beaches in this part of Cornwall as any outfalls flowing at the moment.
:12:16. > :12:18.Police say the use of Ketamine by people in parts of Somerset is
:12:19. > :12:23.There's been a dramatic rise in the amount seized
:12:24. > :12:29.Doctors say they've noticed more young professionals taking Ketamine,
:12:30. > :12:31.which is having a devastating impact on their bodies.
:12:32. > :12:34.The drug is traditionally used as a horse tranquiliser.
:12:35. > :12:36.It is sometimes hard for us to detect
:12:37. > :12:40.If we search a house, we can't seize potentially 150
:12:41. > :12:47.Unlike powders which we find in bulk form, we can trace them back
:12:48. > :12:54.to a certain place in that house and it is sometimes hard to detect.
:12:55. > :12:57.What has been surprising about the use of Ketamine is they
:12:58. > :13:01.are more normal people with jobs and families who are presenting
:13:02. > :13:06.with chronic bladder problems as a result of their Ketamine use.
:13:07. > :13:09.Often they find the only way to cope with the symptoms is
:13:10. > :13:24.You can see more on that story at 10:25pm.
:13:25. > :13:26.Villages across the region that lack a decent mobile phone signal
:13:27. > :13:29.are being urged to tap into a possible solution that's on offer.
:13:30. > :13:32.Vodafone has been trying out a way of providing 3G signals in areas
:13:33. > :13:36.So far just one community in the south west has had
:13:37. > :13:42.Our business correspondent Neil Gallacher has been there.
:13:43. > :13:45.If you live in Newton Saint Sires north of Exeter, you can count
:13:46. > :13:51.your blessings but you can't count on a good mobile phone signal.
:13:52. > :13:53.For users of one network, a novel approach has produced
:13:54. > :13:59.a mobile phone signal even though there is no mast nearby.
:14:00. > :14:02.A number of tiny transmitting boxes have been placed on a selection
:14:03. > :14:10.of local public buildings sending out a 3G signal.
:14:11. > :14:13.A handful will cover a small village.
:14:14. > :14:15.They connect back to the network via a landline to
:14:16. > :14:23.If you go onto the maps, there is no signal here.
:14:24. > :14:29.Around the area, we are in the footprint of the cells getting
:14:30. > :14:35.This is not technologically complex but it is expensive
:14:36. > :14:39.so you will only see this where maths don't work or aren't allowed.
:14:40. > :14:43.Vodafone wants more villages to come forward and get involved.
:14:44. > :14:48.This type of approach could benefit many areas, not just Devon.
:14:49. > :14:52.This businessman works out of a base in Bodmin.
:14:53. > :14:56.We have seen huge investment in broadband infrastructure
:14:57. > :14:59.so that is the fixed telephone line and our business has invested
:15:00. > :15:05.It gets frustrating when you're out on the road and haven't got
:15:06. > :15:08.the same level of connectivity as you have in the office.
:15:09. > :15:12.4G will cover more of the area but in the meantime,
:15:13. > :15:15.if I have one of the companies saying they will look at places to
:15:16. > :15:18.trial new technologies, I would like that to happen in north Cornwall.
:15:19. > :15:24.I am inviting people to put a bid in and get access.
:15:25. > :15:27.Anyone can get this as long as they have the approval
:15:28. > :15:31.of their local MP and also an acceptance that is the best local
:15:32. > :15:41.pubs will no longer be safely beyond the reach of the mobile signal.
:15:42. > :15:45.English Heritage has revealed that a hut in Devon used
:15:46. > :15:49.by the author of Tarka the Otter has been given Grade 2 listed status.
:15:50. > :15:51.Henry Williamson wrote the much`loved novel back in the 1920s.
:15:52. > :15:54.It won him several cash prizes, which he used to build
:15:55. > :16:02.The hut was sold for what's said to be an extraordinary sum back in May.
:16:03. > :16:11.And you can read more about that Tarka story on the BBC news website.
:16:12. > :16:14.It may be celebrating its 150th year, but it's still full
:16:15. > :16:17.steam ahead for a stunning stretch of railway in South Devon.
:16:18. > :16:19.The line between Paignton and Kingswear is now a hugely
:16:20. > :16:23.popular tourist attraction and today a time capsule was buried alongside
:16:24. > :16:35.A trip back in time for a ride on a steam train is a heritage experience
:16:36. > :16:38.but back in Victorian times, it was pioneering technology.
:16:39. > :16:44.In 1848, the first section of the Torquay line was opened.
:16:45. > :16:48.It was extended to Paignton but it wasn't until 1864 that
:16:49. > :16:53.the section between Paignton and Kingsmere was completed.
:16:54. > :16:57.At the station today, 150 years on from that historic opening,
:16:58. > :17:05.a time capsule was buried as part of a series of celebrations.
:17:06. > :17:17.We are raising money for Dame Hannah's Trust based in Newton
:17:18. > :17:22.Abbott and I am delighted that there was a connection here because it was
:17:23. > :17:26.He set up the River Dart steamboat company which ran
:17:27. > :17:36.Rowena's father was instrumental in rescuing the railway
:17:37. > :17:39.in the 70s after it was axed by Doctor Beeching.
:17:40. > :17:46.It was fitting that she put some personal items in.
:17:47. > :17:53.He would be absolutely delighted and I am so proud to be able to do
:17:54. > :18:00.Back in 1859 when Paignton station was opened,
:18:01. > :18:03.there were huge celebrations with a vest Paignton pudding
:18:04. > :18:07.The current directors have organised a beer festival
:18:08. > :18:10.which will get underway next month along with lots of other events
:18:11. > :18:13.including a chance to drive steam trains and a candlelit walk through
:18:14. > :18:28.Now it's a big night for the South West at the Commonwealth Games.
:18:29. > :18:31.Plymouth Leander swimmer Ben Proud is chasing his second gold medal
:18:32. > :18:35.Meanwhile Cornwall's Jemma Simpson is hoping for more success on
:18:36. > :18:38.the athletics track and Ivybridge weightlifter Sonny Webster hopes to
:18:39. > :18:43.Dave Gibbons is in Glasgow with more on that
:18:44. > :19:05.Who are those guests? All will be revealed. First, let us have a look
:19:06. > :19:09.at tonight's finals. At 7:15pm, then proud goes for his second gold in
:19:10. > :19:20.the final of the 50 minute `` 50 metre freestyle. `` Ben proud.
:19:21. > :19:28.Shortly after is the turn of Sonny Webster. He makes his debut in the
:19:29. > :19:32.weightlifting. He is 20. Jemma Simpson just before ten o'clock goes
:19:33. > :19:41.the final of the 1500 metres and she came fifth in heat yesterday. Here
:19:42. > :19:49.they are. Natalie and Sophie, lawn bowlers for England and you won a
:19:50. > :19:52.gold four years ago and now you are adorning the silver medal.
:19:53. > :19:58.Congratulations. Have you recover from that final? We started our
:19:59. > :20:02.second discipline now so we were back onto it and I had to forget
:20:03. > :20:08.about it and put it aside. It was amazing to win a silver medal. I was
:20:09. > :20:15.disappointed that I had lost but I had a medal in my second games. You
:20:16. > :20:21.are taking part in the pairs now. Can you go all the way again and win
:20:22. > :20:26.a gold? That is the aim. Another medal would be amazing but we have
:20:27. > :20:30.to take one game at a time. We have Wales tomorrow morning and Canada
:20:31. > :20:37.straight after. It will be a tough day but hopefully we can top our
:20:38. > :20:41.group. Sophie, you were on top form but you were eliminated but you have
:20:42. > :20:44.a chance of a muddle and emulating your old brother, Sam, who wore a
:20:45. > :20:58.bronze medal yesterday after winning in the men's pairs. We won one goal
:20:59. > :21:03.`` we won one game. It will be a big game for us and we need to win that
:21:04. > :21:09.game tomorrow to go through to the quarterfinals. Has Sam being
:21:10. > :21:12.encouraging you? He has been supportive but it is hard for us
:21:13. > :21:15.because a lot of our games are clashing so we are on the greens at
:21:16. > :21:22.the same time. He is really supportive to me and he tells me to
:21:23. > :21:27.take one game at a time. Finally coming your fiance is a number `` is
:21:28. > :21:33.another member of the bowling team. Has he given you a kiss and cuddle?
:21:34. > :21:40.It is great to have him there. When you have someone here who you love
:21:41. > :21:44.whether it is a family member or partner, you have to focus on your
:21:45. > :21:50.own performance. He was over the moon for me when I wore my medal and
:21:51. > :21:55.I was disappointed for them to miss out on the quarterfinals of the
:21:56. > :22:01.triples. They have another chance in the fours so hopefully they will be
:22:02. > :22:07.in the quarterfinals. Lovely to have you company. That is it from Glasgow
:22:08. > :22:13.this evening. You can find out more on our late bulletin.
:22:14. > :22:17.You may remember a few weeks ago we sent Spotlight's Hamish Marshall to
:22:18. > :22:20.St Peter's School in Exeter to film students playing Ultimate Frisbee.
:22:21. > :22:22.Some of the team were preparing to represent Great Britain
:22:23. > :22:25.in the European Championships and we can tell you that they beat
:22:26. > :22:28.Austria 10`6 in the final of the Under`17 event in Italy.
:22:29. > :22:31.Out of the 20 man GB squad, 8 of the players were from the St.
:22:32. > :22:37.And the school captain, James Mattin, captained the GB team.
:22:38. > :22:39.It's been raining hot pennies in Honiton today.
:22:40. > :22:41.The organisers of the annual tradition say it attracted
:22:42. > :22:46.Moving the date has allowed hundreds of school children to attend
:22:47. > :22:50.It's hoped engaging the younger generation will help
:22:51. > :22:54.Spotlight's Emma Ruminski has been finding out
:22:55. > :23:04.about the tradition that's been held annually since the 13th century.
:23:05. > :23:10.Armed with plastic bags and buckets, there are more than a few
:23:11. > :23:15.children hoping the hot penny ceremony will make them rich quick.
:23:16. > :23:20.Moving the event has helped bolster the turnout was supplementing their
:23:21. > :23:27.pocket money. How much have you got so far? Not much but I am enjoying
:23:28. > :23:34.it. I haven't counted. What are you hoping to spend with your money?
:23:35. > :23:43.Suites. How much are you hoping to get? ?1. I had to duck and dive but
:23:44. > :23:49.most of them were on the floor. No injuries? No. The custom dates back
:23:50. > :23:53.to 1221 when the more affluent inhabitants of the town would heat
:23:54. > :23:58.up coins in the fire and throw them to peasant children delighting in
:23:59. > :24:02.the squeals as they burnt themselves trying to retrieve them. You don't
:24:03. > :24:08.have to go back to the 13th century to get your fingers burned. It hit
:24:09. > :24:12.me on the nose and I had a score for a long time. It was really hot but
:24:13. > :24:21.with the change of legislation, they are not allowed to be hot any more.
:24:22. > :24:25.Today, it is lukewarm rather than hot pennies. Some of the youngsters
:24:26. > :24:33.have clearly done this before and have come prepared for a shower of
:24:34. > :24:38.copper. It is not so much about catching them but trying not to get
:24:39. > :24:47.hit by them. Hat wearers were definitely better off. How much have
:24:48. > :24:53.you caught? There is the town crier benevolent fund in there. Hopefully
:24:54. > :24:59.a lot. Hundreds of pounds do get thrown out. Custom dictates that no
:25:00. > :25:02.one is told how much is thrown out into the streets but it could be
:25:03. > :25:11.that nobody wants to count all of that copper. Reigning pennies there.
:25:12. > :25:17.It it `` is it raining elsewhere in the region?
:25:18. > :25:23.The cloud has broken up quite nicely. There could be large amounts
:25:24. > :25:28.of cloud around but it is still dry and there is still some sunshine
:25:29. > :25:33.coming through with top temperature is 22 Celsius. For the Commonwealth
:25:34. > :25:37.Games, it is a different story. We have cloudy skies tomorrow and some
:25:38. > :25:41.culprits of rain possible. For the athletes taking part, there will be
:25:42. > :25:51.some rain around. Not much happening this evening. We are left with a
:25:52. > :25:55.ridge of high pressure but changes are happening as we move towards the
:25:56. > :26:01.end of the week. We have the risk of showers on Thursday. Already you can
:26:02. > :26:06.see that cloud creeping in through the afternoon. This was earlier
:26:07. > :26:11.today. We did have some fine weather and sunshine and patchy cloud and on
:26:12. > :26:20.the beaches at the moment, it is pleasant. The sea temperature is 19
:26:21. > :26:25.Celsius. Looking further ahead, overnight night would keep that
:26:26. > :26:28.cloud band moving through and it might generate a shower. By the
:26:29. > :26:33.early hours of the morning, that cloud band is breaking up. We have
:26:34. > :26:41.clearing skies letting the temperatures fall down to 12
:26:42. > :26:45.Celsius. A cool start to the day tomorrow but large amounts of cloud
:26:46. > :26:48.throughout the day. There are sunny spells at times and temperatures
:26:49. > :27:12.similar to today. 21 or 22 Celsius. For the coastal waters, the winds
:27:13. > :27:16.are from the north`west tomorrow. I said there was going to be a change
:27:17. > :27:20.and it will happen on Thursday. Their risk `` there is the risk of
:27:21. > :27:24.some showers and they will come quite frequent into the weekend.
:27:25. > :27:34.Saturday, we could have some heavy showers. It is cooler over the next
:27:35. > :27:37.few days. Thanks very much for everybody that has got in touch with
:27:38. > :27:43.us. We have had lots of e`mails about all sorts of subjects. Phone
:27:44. > :27:58.signals, Ambulance Services. Have a good evening. Goodbye.
:27:59. > :28:02.I leave the ashram, travel halfway across the world to find my father,
:28:03. > :28:10.Oh, well. As Vashrati says, gotta keep smiling!
:28:11. > :28:13.We don't tend to use the bathroom together here.
:28:14. > :28:15.All right, well, I'll catch you later.
:28:16. > :28:18.This ashram of yours, it might be a cult.
:28:19. > :28:23.I take it back, he's definitely Cuckoo's son.