Tuesday 26th September

Tuesday, 26 September 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Somerset woman, who has Multiple Sclerosis, is calling on the government to overhaul the assessment process for claiming disability benefits. Somerset Council has been fined £1,000 after a stroke patient was left without care for long periods. A Consultant Urologist in Somerset says men need to be made more aware of the early signs of prostate cancer...and more.

A Somerset woman, who has Multiple Sclerosis, is calling on the government to overhaul the assessment process for claiming disability benefits. Ten years after the government brought in Personal Independence Payments or 'PIP' as it is better known. A survey conducted by the MS Society shows that nearly two-thirds of people think going through the PIP process has a negative or very negative impact on them.

Somerset Council has been fined £1,000 after a stroke patient was left without care for long periods. The patient went without care on various dates between May and December 2021 after his provider missed visits and subsequently withdrew their support. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman have ordered Somerset Council to apologise and compensate the man for the distress caused.

A Consultant Urologist in Somerset says men need to be more aware of the early signs of prostate cancer. Over 52,000 males are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK every year. Doctor Jon McFarlane says men who show early signs need to get checked quickly.

Highways officials say repairs to a road connecting Somerset with Devon will be completed before Christmas. Since July 2021, motorists traveling on the A30 between Chard and Yarcombe have been delayed by temporary lights at Crawley Farm. The lights were installed following damage to an embankment caused by a landslip. Work to repair the embankment begins on October 14th with the road reopening at the end of November.

A Chard author has had his first novel published. Garry Sweetland’s book ‘Narcissus’ tells the story of deadly happenings in the world of art. Garry is launching his new book with a party in Chard on Friday, October 6th when an auction will be held to raise money for the Alzheimers Society.

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