Tuesday 14th May

Tuesday, 14 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset's Chief Medical Officer says GP surgeries using healthcare professionals alongside doctors to provide treatments has freed up GP appointments. A farmer has been fined £15,000 for polluting a household water supply. Avon and Somerset’s new Police and Crime Commissioner has officially started work in the role. Chard Post Office is closed today for the handover of the business to new owners...and more.

Somerset's Chief Medical Officer says GP surgeries using healthcare professionals alongside doctors to provide treatments has freed up GP appointments. Speaking on behalf of NHS Somerset, Dr Bernie Marden says 25 percent more GP appointments were created in 2023 compared to 2019 before physios, paramedics and nurses were used to treat people in GP surgeries.

A farmer has been fined £15,000 for polluting a private water supply, and a wild-swimming pond on the Somerset/ Devon border. Appearing for sentencing at Exeter Magistrates Court, Derek Dyer of Crawley Farm at Yarcombe was also given a community order of 60 hours of unpaid work in a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.

Avon and Somerset’s new Police and Crime Commissioner has officially started work in the role. Clare Moody, who won the recent PCC election standing on a Labour ticket, is promising to create a better connection between the public and the police. Meanwhile, a week of action to tackle knife crime in the Avon and Somerset Police area is underway. Assaults involving a knife increased by 13 per cent in the final quarter of 2023 with more than 370 incidents recorded.

A Somerset pharmacist says a new service that allows pharmacists to treat common health problems is benefiting patients. People suffering from things like sore throats and earache can now go straight to a pharmacist for help rather than seeing a GP.

New owners take over running Chard Post Office today. As well as Chard Post Office, Steve and Teresa Smith, also run Crewkerne and Beaminster post offices. Chard Post Office is closed today for the transfer to take place.

Work’s been completed fitting a new roof to the village hall in Ashill. It replaces the original roof of the 90-year-old building that was found to contain asbestos.

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The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,