Thursday 18th June

Thursday, 18 June 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Children in care in Somerset are not receiving a good enough service, according to inspectors. NHS Somerset says dental care in the county is improving for the first time since the pandemic. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding a topless open-water swim...and more

Children in care in Somerset are not receiving a good enough service, according to inspectors. Somerset Council's children's social services have been rated as "requires improvement" in three out of the four areas examined by Ofsted. Inspectors highlighted concerns about the quality of support being provided to vulnerable children and families.

NHS Somerset says dental care in the county is improving for the first time since the pandemic. New figures show a three per cent rise in treatments over the past year, with 360,000 units of dental work carried out – that's around 10,000 more than the previous year. The NHS says the increase is due to opening three new dental practices in Somerset and additional investment to recruit NHS dentists.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding a unique fundraising event – a topless open-water swim – aimed at raising awareness about the importance of performing CPR on women. The charity says some people are reluctant to apply CPR to women having a cardiac arrest, despite the need for immediate treatment being exactly the same as for men.

A Somerset man has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. Twenty-six-year-old Ryan Lampert, from Somerton, was charged following a collision in Martock in which a car crashed into a house, injuring two people.

Reservoir Road in Chard will be closed at its junction with Catchgate Lane between 8 am and 6 pm next Wednesday, the 24th of June, while a telegraph pole is replaced. Meanwhile, two roads in Yeovil town centre will shut overnight for Openreach cabling work. Union Street and Middle Street will be closed between Peter Street and Silver Street from 9 pm on Wednesday, the 24th, until 6 am the following morning.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more