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 18th July

EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more
Thursday 17th July

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more
Wednesday 16th July

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.
Tuesday 15th July

The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more
Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.