Friday 10th January

Friday, 10 January 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a sharp rise in flu admissions putting pressure on bed spaces. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, joined campaigners and colleagues in Downing Street this week to hand in a petition calling for action to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been replaced as England's Red Roses captain for 2025 season... and more

Yeovil Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a sharp rise in flu admissions putting pressure on bed spaces. It comes as NHS data shows that more than one thousand more people a week are being admitted to hospital with the virus.

An extra 14 pounds is how much people in the Somerset area could be asked to pay as part of their council tax bill next year to help fund local policing. It's the maximum amount Avon and Somerset Police can charge, using the example of a band D property.

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, joined campaigners and colleagues in Downing Street earlier this week to hand in a petition calling for action by the government to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. The petition, started by the British Dental Association, was signed by 257,000 people. Campaigners want the government to provide better funding for NHS dentistry, and ensure fair access to dental care for everyone.

There's another scam doing the rounds trying to exploit pensioners who will no longer get winter fuel payments. Police in Somerset say criminals are encouraging people to click on links in order to register or claim money to pay for heating. They're asking relatives of vulnerable or elderly people to share the warning and prevent financial and personal data being handed to scammer.

Cambrian Lufton Manor College in Yeovil that teaches students with autism has been giving a glowing report from the Care Quality Commission. The college, that also supports people with learning disabilities, currently has 14 students living on-campus aged between 16 and 24. In their report, inspectors said staff were exceptional at treating students as individuals and were exceptional at promoting their independence.

Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been replaced as England's Red Roses captain for 2025 season. The Saracen's player has 108 caps for England but did not start every match in last year's six nations. Marlie who will remain as Vice Captain says she’s 'loved every minute' of her time as captain and fully supports Zoe Aldcroft as her replacement.

More from News

Wednesday 5th August

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more
Tuesday 4th August

A Somerset doctor is calling for better community eye care. People in Glastonbury and Street are benefiting from a new bus service to Castle Cary railway station. A sailor from South Petherton is celebrating after sailing around the world... and more
Monday 3rd August

A yellow Heat Health Alert is in force across Somerset today. The swimming and leisure centre in Street remains closed following last Thursday's flooding in the plant room. Plans for a new primary school in Chard have been delayed until at least 2030... and more
Friday 31st July

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more