Tuesday 17th September

Tuesday, 17 September 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

£400 million is being invested in research and development projects at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil. £29 million in council tax was left uncollected in Somerset in the last 3 years. A teenager from Yeovil is calling for more awareness of kidney failure. A new procedure for treating varicose veins has made it possible for patients to leave hospital earlier... and more.

An investment of £400 million in the Leonardo factory in Yeovil has been announced by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, during his visit to Italy. Sir Keir gave no other details except to say the money would be spent on research and development.

£29 million in council tax was left uncollected in Somerset in the last 3 years, with the former South Somerset District Council owed £9.1 million in uncollected council tax. A Freedom of Information request by Accident Claims Advice found that Somerset's five former local authorities wrote off £7 million of debts deemed impossible to collect in the financial year 2021/22. A total of £28,978,000 in council tax remained uncollected across all five former councils between the 2021/22 and 2023 /24 financial years. £7 million was written off as unviable or impossible to collect in the financial year 2021/22.

A teenager from Yeovil is calling for more awareness of kidney failure in young people after she was struck with the condition over the summer. Lilly Canterbury, who’s 14, was placed in a coma after becoming seriously ill in June following flu-like symptoms. She now has dialysis three times a week and will need a kidney transplant. Lilly says she’s gone public with her story to raise awareness of kidney failure.

Babies, re-admitted to Yeovil Hospital with jaundice are being given a diagnosis within just two to three minutes of arriving, thanks to a new way of testing for jaundice. Senior sister Beth Hawken and nurse Eleonora Forbes worked on developing the new test, a procedure that previously had been taking up to seven hours to complete. Yeovil Hospital says it has made the care of neonatal babies more efficient meaning they’re not jaundiced for long and are less likely to experience complications.

Parents and carers of children in Somerset due to start school or move on to their next school in September 2025 are being urged to apply for a place online. Applications can be made via the Somerset Council website until January 15th.

Patients in Somerset having varicose veins treatment are now able to go home within a few hours of a procedure. A new treatment room at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton is allowing patients to be treated under local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting with them leaving hospital earlier and not taking up any theatre time.

More from News

Wednesday 9th October

A decision on building 46 new homes at the southern edge of Castle Cary has been delayed. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with using racially aggravated abuse towards a police officer. A teacher in Chard has been awarded a top prize at the National Special Educational Needs awards... and more.
Tuesday 8th October

A mother has pleaded not guilty to murdering her two-week-old baby son at Yeovil Hospital. A Yeovil man with two previous drink driving offences has escaped being sent to prison after refusing to take a breath test. Somerset gymnast Laura Gallagher has announced her retirement after 20 years in the sport...and more.
Monday 7th October

A new breast cancer unit opens to patients at Yeovil Hospital today. The Lib Dems have held the Summerlands seat on Yeovil Town Council in a by-election. School children in Yeovil have been helping to plant sixty thousand snowdrop bulbs at Montecute House...and more.
Friday 4th October

A care provider in Yeovil says hospital patients are being affected by the town's roadworks. A tractor has been completely destroyed, after its trailer of silage burst into flames. The carts roll into Ilminster tomorrow night, with carnival season well underway... and more.
Thursday 3rd October

A Yeovil house has been boarded up for three months due to anti-social behaviour. A Chard woman is a finalist at the Stevie Awards for Women In Business. A farm shop started by two Somerset schoolgirls has its first permanent home... and more.
Wednesday 2nd October

Only one person in Somerset has been prosecuted for fly-tipping in the last two years. A new law governing tips could make local service industry staff better off. Traffic was severely held up yesterday afternoon, after a collision on the A303... and more..
Tuesday 1st October

A fifth person has been charged as part of the Michael Wheeler murder investigation. South Petherton Community Library is helping people to find out if they're eligible for pension credit. After a week-long closure, Network Rail have reopened the Yeovil Pen Mill to Thornford stretch... and more.
Monday 30th September

Yeovil Town are mourning the passing of former-manager, Barry Lloyd. The NHS in Somerset is urging more people to become organ donors. The family of an Ilminster man, awarded the Albert Medal, are looking for a museum to house the honour... and more.