Thursday 21st September

Thursday, 21 September 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset NHS Trust, which runs Yeovil Hospital, paid out more than £13.5M in medical negligence claims in the last twelve months. Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, is asking for help to send supplies to earthquake-hit Morocco. Work has started on the next phase of the Yeovil Refresh project causing more disruption in the town centre...and more.

According to new data, Somerset NHS Trust, which runs Yeovil Hospital, paid out more than £13.5M in medical negligence claims in the last twelve months. The Trust, which also runs Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and a number of community hospitals, paid compensation on seventy-seven negligence claims between July last year and July this year. The total paid was £13,511,879. Under NHS rules, a claim for medical negligence can be made if a patient suffers unnecessary or avoidable harm following a medical procedure.

Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, which supports children in the world’s disaster zones, is asking for help to send supplies to earthquake-hit Morocco. If enough money is donated, the charity says it’ll send one thousand school bags to Morocco to support children who are missing their education because of the disaster.

Work has started on the next phase of the Yeovil Refresh project. The scheme will see pavements widened, on-street parking bays installed and raised beds for planting introduced in Lower Middle Street, Newton Road, Wyndham Street and South Western Terrace. Starting in November, work will be carried out to improve crossing points at Middle Street, Wyndham Street, Sherborne Road and Newton Road junctions. Businesses will remain open throughout with the affected areas coned off and traffic lights in place.

Somerset Council has launched a tree strategy with the aim of planting two hundred and forty hectares of new woodland every year across the county over the next ten years. The Council’s appointed tree expert, James Chapman, and community engagement officer, Craig Daters, to drive the plan forward. Across the UK, tree cover is estimated at thirteen per cent, while in Somerset it’s just eight per cent.

A mother and son have started a juice-making business to raise awareness of how people with autism can learn new skills. Joanne and Patrick have set up "Squeeze and Go" at Castle Cary market. Patrick, who is non-verbal, is an equal partner with his mother in the business.

More from News

Friday 25th September

’20 Is Plenty’ is the message to drivers travelling through Langport. Chard’s Numatic manufacturing hub is marking 45 years of business with an investment of £85m into the company. Wessex Water tell us the hosepipe ban will remain across the region... and more.
Thursday 24th September

Somerset Council has approved a multi-million pound scheme to tackle flooding in the county. A person had to be transferred to hospital after an incident in Chard. A North Curry travellers’ site must be vacated by Christmas... and more.
Wednesday 23rd September

Police will take no further action after a year-long fraud probe in Glastonbury. Leonardo has chosen Somerset for its first international future talent programme. Three motorway services in Somerset have been rated as some of the worst in the country ... and more.
Tuesday 22nd September

Children with special needs could have a better chance of moving to a new school, without delay or disruption. A former Castle Cary pub is to be turned into a private house. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre may have to close at the end of next month... and more.
Monday 21st September

Wessex Water's contacting large businesses, asking them to use less water. A ‘serious collision’ closed a stretch of the A30 in both directions yesterday afternoon.Two Somerset charities have benefitted from a combined £64,000, thanks to the Leonardo Rising Stars.
Friday 18th September

Three people from Yeovil have been sentenced after admitting offences linked to the theft and illegal supply of prescription-only medicines. An ancient burial site on the Quantocks has been damaged. Chard Guildhall is open for public viewing today... and more
Thursday 17th September

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18,000 shoplifting offences have been recorded in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the last financial year. A Chard man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer. Forefront Community Centre in Chard is celebrating 20 years of bringing people together in the town... and more
Wednesday 16th September

A pilot with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance says there will be 'catastrophic' consequences if laser pointers continue to be pointed at their aircraft. Plans to build forty new homes in the village of Curry Rivel have been given the go ahead. The owner of a ram called Rambo in Keinton Mandeville has thanked firefighters for rescuing him after he got stuck in a concrete pipe... and more