Wednesday 11th December

Wednesday, 11 December 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

An open letter has been sent to NHS Somerset asking for a revision of the decision to close the emergency stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset residents, whose lives and property were impacted by Storm Darragh, could be entitled to compensation. Haselbury Mill, near Crewkerne, has been sold for an undisclosed price...and more.

An open letter signed by eight patient groups has been sent to NHS Somerset asking for a revision of the decision to close the emergency stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. NHS Somerset’s Integrated Care Board members voted to shut the unit in January, sparking a campaign of fierce opposition. Closing the Yeovil unit would mean people needing urgent treatment for a stroke being taken by ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton or the County Hospital in Dorchester.

People in Somerset, whose lives and property were impacted by Storm Darragh, could be entitled to compensation, according to Somerset's Citizen's Advice. They say those who might qualify include people who were forced into temporary accommodation
because their homes were flooded or suffered structural damage.

Somerset Council will be launching a Call for Sites in the New Year. The Call for Sites is a six-week period where landowners and developers are invited to submit land for possible development. Submissions can be for various uses including housing, economic development, gypsy and traveller pitches, and renewable energy installations.

Haselbury Mill, near Crewkerne, has a new owner. The leisure venue includes a 21-bed hotel, a Tithe Barn, a lakeside restaurant and pub, set within 13 acres, has been bought by a private individual for an undisclosed price.

People in Somerset who lost their recycling bins in the recent storms are being asked to go online to order a new bin. Somerset Council says ordering online will help to take pressure off its customer service team.

More from News

Monday 15th December

Toolstream in Yeovil has been put into administration, threatening the jobs of dozens of employees. NHS Somerset has issued a last chance call for people to get a flu jab after hospital admissions increased by 76% in a week. Police are investigating the theft of a bike valued at £7,000 in Sherborne... and more
Friday 12th December

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