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.

More from News

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more