birminghammail--2020-10-19--Grandma's fury as cancer trials paused in lockdown

A Birmingham grandma whose cancer trial was paused during lockdown has demanded : `` Who is Matt Hancock to play God ? ''
Carol Player cashed in her entire pension to partially pay for her treatment after her £160,000 NHS drug therapy treatment was halted .
She had already lost an eye to the disease , having been initially diagnosed in checks after she accidentally sprayed perfume in her face .
The 57-year-old , from Sutton Coldfield , used her pension to fund the first round of treatment , the Liverpool Echo reported .
Her son , Adam , set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise the money for the rest and she has recently undergone the second phase - with incredible results .
Three tumours had disappeared and four more had significantly shrunk in size , she said .
Carol said she had been overwhelmed by public support - particularly from Liverpool , where she was being treated .
But she condemned health secretary Mr Hancock after a string of cancer trials were paused at the peak of the first wave of coronavirus .
She asked : `` Who is Matt Hancock to play God ?
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real people .
`` I 've paid into the system since I was 16 .
I 've never asked for anything from anyone in my life .
I 've never had to claim for anything .
`` The government are putting all these measures in place and stopping people from living – they 're causing death . ''
Carol was diagnosed an ocular melanoma five years ago .
The diagnosis meant she had her eye removed at a hospital in Liverpool .
Doctors found the cancer had returned in her liver last November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February .
Carol told the Liverpool Echo : `` After the operation the surgeon told me my liver was very clean – 'pristine ' were his exact words .
`` However , it was still running through my blood .
Two months later , a follow-up scan showed it had travelled through the blood back into my liver . ''
Her previous surgery meant another operation was not possible .
But a promising drug therapy called Delcath Melphalan , where chemotherapy is administered through the groin to saturate the liver , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The four-stage trial did not happen because of the pandemic - until Carol sacrificed her pension to pay for the first stage .
And the results so far are encouraging .
She said : `` On September 13 , I had a follow-up scan to see how the first treatment had gone .
`` It showed three of my tumours had disappeared and four others had significantly shrunk in size.
” Carol will have a follow-up scan in two months but still needs to raise enough money to complete the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to donate on the Gofundme page set up to raise money for Carol 's treatment click here .
Melphalan is licenced to use in the UK and Carol said she the method it was administered to her was widely used in the Netherlands and Germany .
She explained : `` It goes in through the groin up into the liver and it saturates the whole liver with chemo .
`` They 've also got the lines in your neck which take the blood , clean it , and it puts it back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseased part of the blood away as well , which is why it 's so successful . ''
Carol said she was not only working to raise the rest of the money – but also awareness that cancer patients needed drug trials reinstated as quickly as possible .
She said : `` I have three-year-old twin grandsons , Jack and James , who were born on my birthday , which is lovely .
`` I 've got the boys to live for and I 'm not ready to die .
`` I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment .
It feels like my human rights have been taken away .
`` Why should I have to rely on the public who have also paid their contribution to help me with my NHS treatment ?
`` The treatment has been taken away from doctors in Liverpool .
They 're amazing , but they are devastated , absolutely devastated .
They want the trials back up and running .
`` If I hadn ’ t taken it upon myself to get that first treatment , where would I be now ?
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have stood a chance .
`` How many people out there are going through what I ’ m going through but can ’ t do what I did ?
” In August , it was reported that more than 1,500 clinical trials of new drugs and treatments for cancers , heart disease and other serious illnesses had been permanently closed down in Britain due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Another 9,000 were suspended with most needing a major cash injection if they were to be reactivated .
Emlyn Samuel , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the pausing of many cancer trials at the peak of the pandemic meant thousands of patients were likely to have missed out on experimental treatments .
Mr Samuel said the charity was working with the government to ensure trials got back up and running as soon as possible and would be protected from `` further waves of Covid-19 '' .
He added : `` The major disruption to cancer care caused by the pandemic has added additional stress and anxiety to many cancer patients ’ experience .
`` It ’ s completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they are in extremely difficult situations and , concerningly , we ’ re starting to hear more stories of patients resorting to paying for cancer treatment .
`` But even before the pandemic cancer services were stretched .
The upcoming spending review is the ideal opportunity for the government to show its commitment to the NHS and invest in staff and equipment to give cancer patients the best chance of surviving their disease . ''
NHS England said it could not comment on individual cases and no decision to stop trials was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of clinical trials `` had to pause during the pandemic to keep people safe '' .
NHS England said many people continued to receive experimental treatments , and studies showed more were starting up once again .
A spokesman said cancer clinical trials were `` recovering quicker than other trials '' with 20 per cent of cancer clinical trials paused or cancelled due to the pandemic compared with 30 per cent of all trials .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Lee Grimsditch, Chris  Harper)

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A Birmingham grandma whose cancer trial was paused during lockdown has demanded: "Who is Matt Hancock to play God?"
Carol Player cashed in her entire pension to partially pay for her treatment after her £160,000 NHS drug therapy treatment was halted.
She had already lost an eye to the disease, having been initially diagnosed in checks after she accidentally sprayed perfume in her face.
The 57-year-old, from Sutton Coldfield, used her pension to fund the first round of treatment, the Liverpool Echo reported.
Her son, Adam, set up a GoFundMe page to try to raise the money for the rest and she has recently undergone the second phase - with incredible results.
Three tumours had disappeared and four more had significantly shrunk in size, she said.
Carol said she had been overwhelmed by public support - particularly from Liverpool, where she was being treated.
But she condemned health secretary Mr Hancock after a string of cancer trials were paused at the peak of the first wave of coronavirus.
She asked: "Who is Matt Hancock to play God? He can't decide that – this is real people.
"I've paid into the system since I was 16. I've never asked for anything from anyone in my life. I've never had to claim for anything.
"The government are putting all these measures in place and stopping people from living – they're causing death."
Carol was diagnosed an ocular melanoma five years ago. The diagnosis meant she had her eye removed at a hospital in Liverpool.
Doctors found the cancer had returned in her liver last November and part of the organ was removed in February.
Carol told the Liverpool Echo: "After the operation the surgeon told me my liver was very clean – 'pristine' were his exact words.
"However, it was still running through my blood. Two months later, a follow-up scan showed it had travelled through the blood back into my liver."
(Image: Carol Player)
Her previous surgery meant another operation was not possible.
But a promising drug therapy called Delcath Melphalan, where chemotherapy is administered through the groin to saturate the liver, was made available to her on the NHS.
The four-stage trial did not happen because of the pandemic - until Carol sacrificed her pension to pay for the first stage.
And the results so far are encouraging.
She said: "On September 13, I had a follow-up scan to see how the first treatment had gone.
"It showed three of my tumours had disappeared and four others had significantly shrunk in size.”
Carol will have a follow-up scan in two months but still needs to raise enough money to complete the last two rounds of chemosaturation.
If you would like to donate on the Gofundme page set up to raise money for Carol's treatment click here.
Melphalan is licenced to use in the UK and Carol said she the method it was administered to her was widely used in the Netherlands and Germany.
She explained: "It goes in through the groin up into the liver and it saturates the whole liver with chemo.
"They've also got the lines in your neck which take the blood, clean it, and it puts it back into your body, taking all the diseased part of the blood away as well, which is why it's so successful."
Carol said she was not only working to raise the rest of the money – but also awareness that cancer patients needed drug trials reinstated as quickly as possible.
She said: "I have three-year-old twin grandsons, Jack and James, who were born on my birthday, which is lovely.
"I've got the boys to live for and I'm not ready to die.
"I feel the NHS has deprived me of my treatment. It feels like my human rights have been taken away.
"Why should I have to rely on the public who have also paid their contribution to help me with my NHS treatment?
"The treatment has been taken away from doctors in Liverpool. They're amazing, but they are devastated, absolutely devastated. They want the trials back up and running.
"If I hadn’t taken it upon myself to get that first treatment, where would I be now? My tumours would have grown? I wouldn’t have stood a chance.
"How many people out there are going through what I’m going through but can’t do what I did?”
In August, it was reported that more than 1,500 clinical trials of new drugs and treatments for cancers, heart disease and other serious illnesses had been permanently closed down in Britain due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another 9,000 were suspended with most needing a major cash injection if they were to be reactivated.
Emlyn Samuel, head of policy for Cancer Research UK, said the pausing of many cancer trials at the peak of the pandemic meant thousands of patients were likely to have missed out on experimental treatments.
Mr Samuel said the charity was working with the government to ensure trials got back up and running as soon as possible and would be protected from "further waves of Covid-19".
He added: "The major disruption to cancer care caused by the pandemic has added additional stress and anxiety to many cancer patients’ experience.
"It’s completely understandable that people look to any means when they are in extremely difficult situations and, concerningly, we’re starting to hear more stories of patients resorting to paying for cancer treatment.
"But even before the pandemic cancer services were stretched. The upcoming spending review is the ideal opportunity for the government to show its commitment to the NHS and invest in staff and equipment to give cancer patients the best chance of surviving their disease."
NHS England said it could not comment on individual cases and no decision to stop trials was taken nationally. It said a number of clinical trials "had to pause during the pandemic to keep people safe".
NHS England said many people continued to receive experimental treatments, and studies showed more were starting up once again.
A spokesman said cancer clinical trials were "recovering quicker than other trials" with 20 per cent of cancer clinical trials paused or cancelled due to the pandemic compared with 30 per cent of all trials.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Plan to transform disused offices

Plan to transform disused offices

Dilapidated old Willenhall Library offices could be renovated to bring in a bid to attract new businesses into the area .
Plans have been submitted by Millgate Associates to Walsall Council to refurbish the building on Bow Street in the town centre .
Last year , a bid to convert the building into apartments failed but it is now hoped regenerating the offices will provide a boost to the area .
The offices were originally built to support the main library building but were deemed surplus to requirements and have been left to fall into disrepair .
The offices along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold 10 years ago .
The Centre has since become a banqueting suite .
In the application to planners , agents Archtecttura Design said : `` The site is located immediately adjacent Willenhall Town Centre with excellent public transport links .
These will be improved when local rail connections are re-opened .
`` Whilst the subject of the application as a whole was originally in attendant use to the library , leisure centre and storage yard , it was apparently considered superfluous and had fallen in to disuse and considerable disrepair .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent Willenhall Leisure Centre .
The existing offices are at present unoccupied in the main , although some use is currently made of them ancillary to the adjacent Willows Banquet suite which is also in the applicant ’ s ownership .
`` An application for “ prior approval ” for conversion to residential use was refused by Walsall Council due to concerns regarding residential amenity .
`` It is considered that the regeneration and extension of the buildings for office use is compatible with the location adjacent the town centre and in relation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leisure Centre is now given a new lease of life as The Willows Banquet Suite and it is considered that the proposed development will enable the application buildings to similarly be brought back to beneficial use , adding to the physical , environmental and commercial amenity of Willenhall Town Centre . ''

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Dilapidated old Willenhall Library offices could be renovated to bring in a bid to attract new businesses into the area.
Plans have been submitted by Millgate Associates to Walsall Council to refurbish the building on Bow Street in the town centre.
Last year, a bid to convert the building into apartments failed but it is now hoped regenerating the offices will provide a boost to the area.
The offices were originally built to support the main library building but were deemed surplus to requirements and have been left to fall into disrepair.
The offices along with the old Willenhall Leisure Centre were sold 10 years ago. The Centre has since become a banqueting suite.
In the application to planners, agents Archtecttura Design said: "The site is located immediately adjacent Willenhall Town Centre with excellent public transport links. These will be improved when local rail connections are re-opened.
"Whilst the subject of the application as a whole was originally in attendant use to the library, leisure centre and storage yard, it was apparently considered superfluous and had fallen in to disuse and considerable disrepair.
"It was sold, along with the adjacent Willenhall Leisure Centre.
The existing offices are at present unoccupied in the main, although some use is currently made of them ancillary to the adjacent Willows Banquet suite which is also in the applicant’s ownership.
"An application for “prior approval” for conversion to residential use was refused by Walsall Council due to concerns regarding residential amenity.
"It is considered that the regeneration and extension of the buildings for office use is compatible with the location adjacent the town centre and in relation to adjacent uses.
"The former Leisure Centre is now given a new lease of life as The Willows Banquet Suite and it is considered that the proposed development will enable the application buildings to similarly be brought back to beneficial use, adding to the physical, environmental and commercial amenity of Willenhall Town Centre."


birminghammail--2020-10-19--ADVERTORIAL: Big change for anyone who tops up their gas or electricity with a key

With traditional prepayment 'pay-as-you-go ' meters , you need to manually top up a card or key at PayPoints .
If you 're familiar with the routine , it means when you 're running low you have to trudge down to the local shop to top up - come rain or shine .
But with smart prepay meters that often arduous and annoying journey can be a thing of the past .
With a smart prepay meter the process is simpler : you can top up from home - no gas card or electricity key necessary .
So that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and top up from your sofa via online , your phone or on the smart meter itself .
And by having one you could also see your fuel bills reduce .
Some smart meter owners have saved between £10-£20 a month by using information from the in-home display to make changes to their energy use .
Smart meters are the new generation of energy meters being rolled out in homes in England , Scotland and Wales .
Eligibility may vary by supplier and region .
They come with an in-home display ( IHD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by your smart meter to show you in near real-time exactly how much gas and electricity you 're using , how much it 's costing , and - in the case of a smart prepay meter - how much credit you have left .
Get financial help with your bills If you were born on or before 5 October 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills .
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you 're getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March .
The Warm Home Discount is not paid to you - it 's a one-off discount on your electricity bill between September and March .
You could get £140 off your electricity bill .
Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit .
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it 's below £173.75 ( for single people ) or £265.20 ( for couples ) .
Find out if you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could get .
You can use this information to work out which appliances , such as the kettle , the oven or the tumble dryer are using the most energy and , if you can , adjust accordingly - like , for example , turning appliances off standby .
This way , you will identify new opportunities to save energy , and money .
Not only will they help you save , but they can also give you a sense of control over your costs - if your heating is on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much it 's costing , because you can see for yourself .
IHDs will also give out a low credit alert if they 've fallen below a low threshold and enter emergency credit , which means you 're less likely to be caught short .
Smart Energy GB is a government-backed organisation tasked with informing Great Britain about the benefits of the smart meter rollout .
• Ask your energy supplier if you ’ re eligible for a smart prepay meter .
For more info visit smartenergygb.org .
Eligibility may vary by @ @ @ @

With traditional prepayment 'pay-as-you-go' meters, you need to manually top up a card or key at PayPoints.
If you're familiar with the routine, it means when you're running low you have to trudge down to the local shop to top up - come rain or shine.
But with smart prepay meters that often arduous and annoying journey can be a thing of the past.
With a smart prepay meter the process is simpler: you can top up from home - no gas card or electricity key necessary.
So that means you can stay sat cosy at home and top up from your sofa via online, your phone or on the smart meter itself.
And by having one you could also see your fuel bills reduce.
Some smart meter owners have saved between £10-£20 a month by using information from the in-home display to make changes to their energy use.
Smart meters are the new generation of energy meters being rolled out in homes in England, Scotland and Wales. Eligibility may vary by supplier and region.
They come with an in-home display (IHD). It gets fed information securely by your smart meter to show you in near real-time exactly how much gas and electricity you're using, how much it's costing, and - in the case of a smart prepay meter - how much credit you have left.
Get financial help with your bills Winter Fuel Payment If you were born on or before 5 October 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. Cold Weather Payment You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. It's £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. Warm Home Discount The Warm Home Discount is not paid to you - it's a one-off discount on your electricity bill between September and March. You could get £140 off your electricity bill. Pension Credit Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it's below £173.75 (for single people) or £265.20 (for couples). Find out if you're eligible for Pension Credit and how much you could get.
You can use this information to work out which appliances, such as the kettle, the oven or the tumble dryer are using the most energy and, if you can, adjust accordingly - like, for example, turning appliances off standby. This way, you will identify new opportunities to save energy, and money.
Not only will they help you save, but they can also give you a sense of control over your costs - if your heating is on, you won't need to worry about how much it's costing, because you can see for yourself.
IHDs will also give out a low credit alert if they've fallen below a low threshold and enter emergency credit, which means you're less likely to be caught short.
Smart Energy GB is a government-backed organisation tasked with informing Great Britain about the benefits of the smart meter rollout.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Watch - yobs put lives at risk by shooting fireworks at cars

Shocking footage shows the moment reckless yobs lit a firework and let it off near a roundabout before it exploded near a car .
The video showed one lout light an explosive before letting it fly at a passing vehicle at Saltley Gate on Saturday , October 17 .
The mobile phone footage , obtained by Birmz Is Grime , drew widespread criticism after it was uploaded to social media over the weekend .
Gav Mathers wrote : `` What a stupid , moronic and utterly dangerous thing to do .
Could have killed someone . ''
Heidi Stewart added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Absolute idiots .
Could have caused a pile-up .
Do not know what possesses some people . ''
Jonny McKeown said : `` Some people literally have nothing better to do .
What planet must you live on for this to be classed as an evenings entertainment . ''
Di Riches commented : `` This could have ended in disaster .
When will they learn fireworks are not toys .
It could have gone up in his face in the first place . ''
Amy Doll wrote : `` Just saw that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a strangers car in Birmingham .
Disgusting ... '' West Midlands Police has been contacted for comment on the footage .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Jack Evans, Chris  Harper)

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Shocking footage shows the moment reckless yobs lit a firework and let it off near a roundabout before it exploded near a car.
The video showed one lout light an explosive before letting it fly at a passing vehicle at Saltley Gate on Saturday, October 17.
The mobile phone footage, obtained by Birmz Is Grime, drew widespread criticism after it was uploaded to social media over the weekend.
Gav Mathers wrote: "What a stupid, moronic and utterly dangerous thing to do. Could have killed someone."
Heidi Stewart added: "Why would you do this? Absolute idiots. Could have caused a pile-up. Do not know what possesses some people."
Jonny McKeown said: "Some people literally have nothing better to do. What planet must you live on for this to be classed as an evenings entertainment."
(Image: SWNS)
Di Riches commented: "This could have ended in disaster. When will they learn fireworks are not toys. It could have gone up in his face in the first place."
Amy Doll wrote: "Just saw that video of a guy blast a firework at a strangers car in Birmingham. Disgusting..."
West Midlands Police has been contacted for comment on the footage.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Safe travel app trial to begin as alternative to coronavirus quarantine rules

A ground-breaking coronavirus health passport is set to be trialled this week as clamour grows for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to give the go-ahead on airport testing for travellers .
The CommonPass software will be used by passengers travelling from London Heathrow to New York following successful tests in the Far East .
Passengers on a United Airlines flight from Heathrow to New York Newark will take a Covid-19 test up to 72 hours before travelling and log the results on the CommonPass app on their phones .
The app , developed by Swiss-based , non-profit organisation the Commons Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , produces a QR code which can be scanned by airline and border staff .
Airline passengers take a Covid-19 test at an agreed lab , upload the results to a smartphone and complete any additional health screening required by the destination country .
US health officials plan to monitor the test at Heathrow and the trial is set to be extended in the coming months , reports Travel Weekly .
Steve Morrissey , United Airlines regulatory and policy vice president , said : “ Trials with solutions like CommonPass are critical to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative to blanket quarantine measures or travel restrictions.
” Heathrow process improvement director Mark Burgess added : “ Heathrow has been calling for the creation of a common international standard .
Cross-border pilots such as these could help unlock the benefits of testing in aviation .
“ We ’ re looking forward to reviewing the findings of these trials.
” UK travel trade group Abta has previously called for the introduction of a suitable testing regime , as well as a regionalised quarantine approach and lifting the global advisory against travel - returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the risk to a traveller in destination .
Chief executive Mark Tanzer has called for the raid introduction of pre-departure testing for the virus .
He said earlier this month : “ Other countries have already moved to introduce testing , and further delays will only serve to exacerbate the industry ’ s struggles – especially as the winter season is fast approaching . ''

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A ground-breaking coronavirus health passport is set to be trialled this week as clamour grows for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to give the go-ahead on airport testing for travellers.
The CommonPass software will be used by passengers travelling from London Heathrow to New York following successful tests in the Far East.
Passengers on a United Airlines flight from Heathrow to New York Newark will take a Covid-19 test up to 72 hours before travelling and log the results on the CommonPass app on their phones.
The app, developed by Swiss-based, non-profit organisation the Commons Project and backed by the World Economic Forum, produces a QR code which can be scanned by airline and border staff.
Airline passengers take a Covid-19 test at an agreed lab, upload the results to a smartphone and complete any additional health screening required by the destination country.
US health officials plan to monitor the test at Heathrow and the trial is set to be extended in the coming months, reports Travel Weekly.
Steve Morrissey, United Airlines regulatory and policy vice president, said: “Trials with solutions like CommonPass are critical to demonstrate the potential for testing as an alternative to blanket quarantine measures or travel restrictions.”
Heathrow process improvement director Mark Burgess added: “Heathrow has been calling for the creation of a common international standard. Cross-border pilots such as these could help unlock the benefits of testing in aviation.
“We’re looking forward to reviewing the findings of these trials.”
UK travel trade group Abta has previously called for the introduction of a suitable testing regime, as well as a regionalised quarantine approach and lifting the global advisory against travel - returning to providing travel advice for individual countries based on the risk to a traveller in destination.
Chief executive Mark Tanzer has called for the raid introduction of pre-departure testing for the virus.
He said earlier this month: “Other countries have already moved to introduce testing, and further delays will only serve to exacerbate the industry’s struggles – especially as the winter season is fast approaching."


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Chemists plan for bungalow in Solihull sparks 'horrendous' car parking fears

Plans to turn part of a Solihull bungalow into a chemists have been thrown out amid fears it would add to `` horrendous '' congestion at an already busy spot .
The scheme would have extended the property and allowed a pharmacy to move into 83 Northbrook Road , in Shirley .
At present the business is based inside the nearby Northbrook Health Centre and had applied for permission to move to a new home on the same road .
But neighbours had voiced fears about large numbers arriving to pick up prescriptions , particularly during the pandemic , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councillor Karen Grinsell ( Con , Shirley East ) had also opposed the plan , arguing that other options for the future of the facility had not been exhausted .
`` Let me tell you , the road at peak times gets terribly congested and there 's horrendous parking problems on Northbrook Road , '' she said .
And now the planning committee has thrown it out , amid concerns about the parking issues and the impact on the house next door .
Cllr Richard Holt , the chairman , said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would n't affect neighbours .
`` I ca n't see how that is logical .
If a semi-detached property , one half of it - or part of it - is converted into commercial use ... '' And you 've got members of the public coming to a pharmacy and we know what pharmacies are like , they are very busy , there 's a lot of activity .
Especially next to a GP service .
`` People are going to be arriving right next to this lady 's house .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about parking use , Cllr Diana Holl-Allen ( Con , Knowle ) felt the change might not be as great as some feared .
`` The majority of people , surely , who are going to be going to that pharmacy are probably the patients that have just been into the medical centre ...
I 'm beginning to wonder if the traffic increase will be as much as everybody 's assuming . ''
Jon Kirby , on behalf of the business , said the plans had taken `` a great deal of care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living nearby .
`` Critically the benefits of relocating the pharmacy as close as possible to the health centre are obvious , '' he said .
`` This will mean that visitors to the health centre who may be suffering from ailments or injuries will not have far to travel to the pharmacy . ''
He had said the floor area of the chemists would be very small and operate restricted hours , with no opening at weekends to minimise the `` comings and goings '' .
The plans were nonetheless rejected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could go along with officers ' recommendation to grant approval .

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Plans to turn part of a Solihull bungalow into a chemists have been thrown out amid fears it would add to "horrendous" congestion at an already busy spot.
The scheme would have extended the property and allowed a pharmacy to move into 83 Northbrook Road, in Shirley.
At present the business is based inside the nearby Northbrook Health Centre and had applied for permission to move to a new home on the same road.
But neighbours had voiced fears about large numbers arriving to pick up prescriptions, particularly during the pandemic, and the scale of the extension.
Ward councillor Karen Grinsell (Con, Shirley East) had also opposed the plan, arguing that other options for the future of the facility had not been exhausted.
"Let me tell you, the road at peak times gets terribly congested and there's horrendous parking problems on Northbrook Road," she said.
And now the planning committee has thrown it out, amid concerns about the parking issues and the impact on the house next door.
(Image: Solihull Council planning portal)
Cllr Richard Holt, the chairman, said he had "serious problems" with the suggestion that it wouldn't affect neighbours.
"I can't see how that is logical. If a semi-detached property, one half of it - or part of it - is converted into commercial use...
"And you've got members of the public coming to a pharmacy and we know what pharmacies are like, they are very busy, there's a lot of activity. Especially next to a GP service.
"People are going to be arriving right next to this lady's house."
While several members had voiced concerns about parking use, Cllr Diana Holl-Allen (Con, Knowle) felt the change might not be as great as some feared.
"The majority of people, surely, who are going to be going to that pharmacy are probably the patients that have just been into the medical centre ... I'm beginning to wonder if the traffic increase will be as much as everybody's assuming."
Jon Kirby, on behalf of the business, said the plans had taken "a great deal of care" to minimise the impact on those living nearby.
"Critically the benefits of relocating the pharmacy as close as possible to the health centre are obvious," he said.
"This will mean that visitors to the health centre who may be suffering from ailments or injuries will not have far to travel to the pharmacy."
He had said the floor area of the chemists would be very small and operate restricted hours, with no opening at weekends to minimise the "comings and goings".
The plans were nonetheless rejected by the councillors, who did not feel they could go along with officers' recommendation to grant approval.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Karanka explains why Blues left it late to make Chelsea transfer

Aitor Karanka has revealed he wanted to bring Jake Clarke-Salter back to Birmingham City as soon as he arrived at the club .
The centre half was the 11th signing of the summer for Blues , who left it until very late in the transfer window to bring him back from Chelsea .
The prospect of the ex-England Under 21 captain returning to Blues emerged on deadline day , the deal was only completed in the final few minutes and announced 70 minutes after the window had shut .
Karanka said that was because the club were trying to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so - but even though the only players they were able to move on were youngsters on loan , Blues still decided to press ahead for the Chelsea man .
And the Spaniard believes the 23-year-old brings something they previously didn ’ t have in the squad .
“ I am really pleased because he is going to give us a lot of options , ” Karanka said .
“ He can play as a good central defender and I think it is another thing we are missing , to build from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is a good player and he is will help us a lot .
“ He was here , he has a very good relationship with everybody here , everyone here has spoken really highly about him .
`` I worked with a few of the Chelsea academy since I started with Middlesbrough so I am really pleased with him here .
“ We always had him on the radar because he was here , he is a good player and he has a very good future in front of him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ players out – the players didn ’ t leave but the club made an effort to bring him here.
” Karanka had hoped to find first team football for familiar faces like David Davis and Maikel Kieftenbeld but while both remain he has promised to keep them involved in the senior set-up .
Sign up to our Birmingham City newsletter here “ Now they are with us , I like to respect everybody in the same way , ” Karanka said .
“ The same way I have respected them since we arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be part of the squad and if I need to put them on the pitch , I will put them on the pitch.
” Clarke-Salter watched Saturday ’ s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday from the stands , while Jon Toral missed the game through injury and Lukas Jutkiewicz was unwell .
Clarke-Salter also spent last season with Blues and after taking time to work his way into the first team when he did he went on to play 23 games and make a very positive impression .

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Aitor Karanka has revealed he wanted to bring Jake Clarke-Salter back to Birmingham City as soon as he arrived at the club.
The centre half was the 11th signing of the summer for Blues, who left it until very late in the transfer window to bring him back from Chelsea.
The prospect of the ex-England Under 21 captain returning to Blues emerged on deadline day, the deal was only completed in the final few minutes and announced 70 minutes after the window had shut.
Karanka said that was because the club were trying to reduce the size of the squad before doing so - but even though the only players they were able to move on were youngsters on loan, Blues still decided to press ahead for the Chelsea man.
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And the Spaniard believes the 23-year-old brings something they previously didn’t have in the squad.
“I am really pleased because he is going to give us a lot of options,” Karanka said.
“He can play as a good central defender and I think it is another thing we are missing, to build from the back with the ball on the grass. He is a good player and he is will help us a lot.
“He was here, he has a very good relationship with everybody here, everyone here has spoken really highly about him.
"I worked with a few of the Chelsea academy since I started with Middlesbrough so I am really pleased with him here.
“We always had him on the radar because he was here, he is a good player and he has a very good future in front of him. It is true we needed to send players out – the players didn’t leave but the club made an effort to bring him here.”
Karanka had hoped to find first team football for familiar faces like David Davis and Maikel Kieftenbeld but while both remain he has promised to keep them involved in the senior set-up.
“Now they are with us, I like to respect everybody in the same way,” Karanka said.
“The same way I have respected them since we arrived at the beginning of August. They will be part of the squad and if I need to put them on the pitch, I will put them on the pitch.”
Clarke-Salter watched Saturday’s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday from the stands, while Jon Toral missed the game through injury and Lukas Jutkiewicz was unwell.
Clarke-Salter also spent last season with Blues and after taking time to work his way into the first team when he did he went on to play 23 games and make a very positive impression.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Burnley could be without five players for Premier League clash vs West Brom

West Brom are back in Premier League action tonight ( Monday ) as they take on Burnley at the Hawthorns .
The Baggies will be looking to pick up their first Premier League win of the season to move away from the bottom of the table .
Slaven Bilic 's men have drawn one of their four league games so far - a 3-3 stalemate with Chelsea .
Burnley have however lost all of their league games this season , losing 3-1 to Newcastle in their last game before the international break .
The Clarets have had some injury problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping that the break would give players time to recover ahead of the match at the Hawthorns .
But Sean Dyche could still be without up to five players for the clash .
Jack Cork , Ben Mee , and Matt Lowton won ’ t be fit enough for selection , while both goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson picked up problems while on international duty .
But Dyche is optimistic that the Iceland international could be available for the match .
`` Johann got some minutes ( with Iceland ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come back to us so we are having to be a bit careful with him , ” he said ( via ) .
`` We are hopeful on him , he had a tight groin while he was away.
” Dyche should be able to turn to striker Jay Rodriguez , who has missed the last two Premier League games with an ankle injury .
`` Jay Rod should be available as long as the next few days go okay , ” he added .
James Tarkowski and Ashley Barnes are also available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international break and are returning to full match fitness .
“ And just general fitness and sharpness for some who are slightly behind the curve like with Tarky and with Barnesy getting that true sharpness and match fitness .
`` It is not just the injuries but it is the players getting back to that full edge , ” said Dyche .

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West Brom are back in Premier League action tonight (Monday) as they take on Burnley at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies will be looking to pick up their first Premier League win of the season to move away from the bottom of the table.
Slaven Bilic's men have drawn one of their four league games so far - a 3-3 stalemate with Chelsea.
Burnley have however lost all of their league games this season, losing 3-1 to Newcastle in their last game before the international break.
The Clarets have had some injury problems so far this campaign and will be hoping that the break would give players time to recover ahead of the match at the Hawthorns.
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But Sean Dyche could still be without up to five players for the clash.
Jack Cork, Ben Mee, and Matt Lowton won’t be fit enough for selection, while both goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson picked up problems while on international duty.
But Dyche is optimistic that the Iceland international could be available for the match.
"Johann got some minutes (with Iceland) but as a precaution, he has come back to us so we are having to be a bit careful with him,” he said (via LancsLive ).
"We are hopeful on him, he had a tight groin while he was away.”
Dyche should be able to turn to striker Jay Rodriguez, who has missed the last two Premier League games with an ankle injury.
"Jay Rod should be available as long as the next few days go okay,” he added.
James Tarkowski and Ashley Barnes are also available for selection after making their return before the international break and are returning to full match fitness.
“And just general fitness and sharpness for some who are slightly behind the curve like with Tarky and with Barnesy getting that true sharpness and match fitness.
"It is not just the injuries but it is the players getting back to that full edge,” said Dyche.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--999 patients waiting more than THREE HOURS to be allowed into hospitals

Birmingham 's hospitals are already so full that hundreds of 999 patients are being kept waiting outside - sometimes for more than THREE hours - because there is nowhere to treat them .
A staggering 1,294 patients were stuck in the back of ambulances parked outside A & Es in the city in the past six weeks .
It 's a damning sign of the pressure city hospitals are under as they face high demand for critical services while trying to deal with rising coronavirus cases and deal with a backlog of outpatient appointments and elective operations .
The shocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request to West Midlands Ambulance Service .
According to the data , 797 ambulances with ill or injured patients on board were stuck for at least an hour outside A & E at Heartlands , Good Hope and Queen Elizabeth hospitals during September .
Nearly 500 have been held up so far this month , October .
Delays of more than three hours were recorded at all three hospitals - the longest being three hours and 44 minutes at Heartlands earlier this month .
The problem was worst at Heartlands , which accounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
In each case , ambulance crew had to continue to monitor patients long after the time had passed when they should have been back on the road heading to their next 999 call .
Have you had to wait in an ambulance to get into hospital ?
Email jane.haynes @ reachplc.com Lack of space inside A & E , in part because of a backlog of patients waiting to be admitted , was blamed for the upturn in handover delays .
Hospitals can also no longer keep patients waiting in 'corridor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus infections .
UHB hospital chiefs announced last week they were going to start refusing emergency treatment for anyone coming to A & E who could be seen instead by a GP , out-of-hours services or a pharmacy .
The move was aimed at freeing staff and space for patients arriving by ambulance , accident victims and the critically ill. '' We are full to capacity at the moment , within the coronavirus restrictions , '' said UHB 's strategic operations director Jonathan Brotherton .
`` During lockdown and the summer months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & E requiring treatment for other conditions and minor injuries reduced .
`` Now the levels of attendance and need are back to normal , back to pre-Covid levels , but coronavirus cases are going up at the same time .
That means we are in a position where we need to take more action to protect our ability to deal with the most seriously ill. '' Coronavirus latest updates - how to get our free newsletter in your inbox There 's no doubt that Covid-19 has had a huge impact on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths as a result of coronavirus and one hospital trust in the city has recorded higher deaths than anywhere else in the country .
During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , it can be hard to know where to turn for the latest news and information .
Well , now you can get it all in one place with our BirminghamLive daily newsletter .
Sign up here or fill in the box at the top of the article , which looks like this : It 's a free and easy way to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government guidelines , shop and restaurant reopenings , track and trace initiatives , development of a vaccine and official details of the number of coronavirus deaths .
So you can check through all the day 's headlines in one place every day .
You can also follow the latest updates on Facebook in our Birmingham - Coronavirus Updates group , where you can discuss what 's going on and share other news you 've found .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Find it on Google Play Store and App Store Restricted access to A & E is due to come into force at the city 's hospitals from next week .
In the meantime , holding areas for patients arriving by ambulance are being created close to A & E to help crews get away and onto their next emergency .
More steps to restrict admissions to hospitals are likely to be announced in the next fortnight .
West Midlands Ambulance Service has a strong record of keeping away from A & E any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or seen elsewhere .
It has the second best record in the country on this measure , with only about 55 per cent of patients that are seen by an ambulance crew ending up going to hospital .
That means those who do end up there are deemed in urgent need of help .
Patient handover , and ambulance cleaning that needs to follow , should take no more than half-an-hour .
Delays in handover times can be costly .
A spokesman said : `` While ambulances are tied up at hospital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff are with that is necessarily at risk , though the individual ’ s dignity and safety is undoubtedly compromised .
`` The risk , as NHS England has pointed out , is to the patient who we have not yet been able to reach who is at the highest risk of preventable harm.
” The full data for delayed ambulance handovers at the three city hospitals with A & E departments since May is as follows : May : Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 173 cases June : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour - 173 cases July : Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 296 cases August : Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 518 cases September : Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 777 cases October ( up to 15th ) : Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 497 cases

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Birmingham's hospitals are already so full that hundreds of 999 patients are being kept waiting outside - sometimes for more than THREE hours - because there is nowhere to treat them.
A staggering 1,294 patients were stuck in the back of ambulances parked outside A&Es in the city in the past six weeks.
It's a damning sign of the pressure city hospitals are under as they face high demand for critical services while trying to deal with rising coronavirus cases and deal with a backlog of outpatient appointments and elective operations.
The shocking figures emerged from a Freedom of Information request to West Midlands Ambulance Service.
According to the data, 797 ambulances with ill or injured patients on board were stuck for at least an hour outside A&E at Heartlands, Good Hope and Queen Elizabeth hospitals during September.
Nearly 500 have been held up so far this month, October. Delays of more than three hours were recorded at all three hospitals - the longest being three hours and 44 minutes at Heartlands earlier this month.
The problem was worst at Heartlands, which accounted for 632 hour-long delays in September and October.
In each case, ambulance crew had to continue to monitor patients long after the time had passed when they should have been back on the road heading to their next 999 call.
Have you had to wait in an ambulance to get into hospital? Email jane.haynes@reachplc.com
Lack of space inside A&E, in part because of a backlog of patients waiting to be admitted, was blamed for the upturn in handover delays.
Hospitals can also no longer keep patients waiting in 'corridor' overspill areas because of the risk of coronavirus infections.
UHB hospital chiefs announced last week they were going to start refusing emergency treatment for anyone coming to A&E who could be seen instead by a GP, out-of-hours services or a pharmacy.
(Image: Birmingham Live)
The move was aimed at freeing staff and space for patients arriving by ambulance, accident victims and the critically ill.
"We are full to capacity at the moment, within the coronavirus restrictions," said UHB's strategic operations director Jonathan Brotherton.
"During lockdown and the summer months the number of patients coming to A&E requiring treatment for other conditions and minor injuries reduced.
"Now the levels of attendance and need are back to normal, back to pre-Covid levels, but coronavirus cases are going up at the same time. That means we are in a position where we need to take more action to protect our ability to deal with the most seriously ill."
Restricted access to A&E is due to come into force at the city's hospitals from next week.
In the meantime, holding areas for patients arriving by ambulance are being created close to A&E to help crews get away and onto their next emergency.
More steps to restrict admissions to hospitals are likely to be announced in the next fortnight.
West Midlands Ambulance Service has a strong record of keeping away from A&E any patients who can be treated on-the-spot, or seen elsewhere.
It has the second best record in the country on this measure, with only about 55 per cent of patients that are seen by an ambulance crew ending up going to hospital.
That means those who do end up there are deemed in urgent need of help.
Patient handover, and ambulance cleaning that needs to follow, should take no more than half-an-hour.
Delays in handover times can be costly.
A spokesman said: "While ambulances are tied up at hospital, it is not the patient who our staff are with that is necessarily at risk, though the individual’s dignity and safety is undoubtedly compromised.
"The risk, as NHS England has pointed out, is to the patient who we have not yet been able to reach who is at the highest risk of preventable harm.”
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
The full data for delayed ambulance handovers at the three city hospitals with A&E departments since May is as follows:
May: Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 173 cases
May: Longest delay - 2 hours, 11 mins
June: Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 173 cases
June: Longest delay - 2 hours, 6 mins
July: Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 296 cases
July: Longest delay - 3 hours, 36 mins
August: Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 518 cases
August: Longest delay - 3 hours, 3 mins
September: Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 777 cases
September: Longest delay - 3 hours, 42 mins
October (up to 15th): Total delayed handovers of more than one hour - 497 cases
October (up to 15th): Longest delay - 3 hours, 44 mins


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Cancer deaths in homes soar 50% since Covid-19 pandemic started

Deaths in private homes have soared since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , it has emerged .
The new figures , presented by the Office for National Statistics , found that the deaths are higher than the five-year average .
Excess deaths in private homes - the number of deaths above the average for the corresponding period in the previous five years - have mostly been deaths not involving Covid-19 .
Deaths in private homes in England for males from heart disease since the start of the coronavirus pandemic are 26 per cent higher than the five-year average , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have increased 53 % while deaths from bowel cancer are up 46 per cent .
For women , deaths in private homes from dementia and Alzheimer 's disease have increased 75 per cent while deaths from breast cancer are up 47 per cent .
In Wales , deaths in private homes for males from heart disease are up 23 per cent on the five-year average , prostate cancer deaths have increased 75 per cent and bowel cancer deaths are up 52 per cent .
The number of female deaths in private homes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double the five-year average ( up 92 per cent ) while deaths from breast cancer are up 28 per cent .
All figures cover deaths that were registered between March 14 and September 11 .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Tom Davidson, Chris  Harper)

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Deaths in private homes have soared since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, it has emerged.
The new figures, presented by the Office for National Statistics, found that the deaths are higher than the five-year average.
Excess deaths in private homes - the number of deaths above the average for the corresponding period in the previous five years - have mostly been deaths not involving Covid-19.
Deaths in private homes in England for males from heart disease since the start of the coronavirus pandemic are 26 per cent higher than the five-year average, reports the Mirror.
Prostate cancer deaths have increased 53% while deaths from bowel cancer are up 46 per cent.
For women, deaths in private homes from dementia and Alzheimer's disease have increased 75 per cent while deaths from breast cancer are up 47 per cent.
In Wales, deaths in private homes for males from heart disease are up 23 per cent on the five-year average, prostate cancer deaths have increased 75 per cent and bowel cancer deaths are up 52 per cent.
The number of female deaths in private homes from dementia and Alzheimer's disease is almost double the five-year average (up 92 per cent) while deaths from breast cancer are up 28 per cent.
All figures cover deaths that were registered between March 14 and September 11.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Failing Erdington care home rated 'inadequate' twice in six months

A failing Birmingham care home did not report incidents of alleged abuse to authorities , it has been revealed .
St Joseph care home on Silverbirch Road , Erdington , was last week given a rating of 'inadequate ' by the Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) for the second time in just six months , having also failed an inspection in July .
The home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 12 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection St Joseph failed on the questions of safety and leadership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspectors during a visit toward the end of last month .
These included 'two incidents of alleged abuse concerning three people living at the home , ' neither of which had been reviewed or escalated to the relevant authorities .
Inspectors also found 'discarded paving stones and mattresses and missing fence panels ' in the home 's garden .
Inspectors also found that 'prevention and control procedures in relation to Covid-19 were not adequate ' , while 'staff did not use , take off or discard of PPE in line with current good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positives from the inspection - two of the people they spoke to at the home said they felt 'safe and happy ' , while the report also notes : `` Relatives confirmed , and we saw , some improvements to the safety of the environment had been made and were underway since the last inspection , for example new fire doors had been fitted .
`` One relative told us new equipment had been purchased for one person and , 'Staff tell me it 's much better for [ person ] ' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues related to staffing and employment practices , with two of the four recruitment records sampled at random not containing completed DBS checks .
Inspectors also noted : `` Most relatives we spoke with told us they felt more staff were needed to support people well .
`` One relative said , 'It 's impossible… if they are supporting someone to go upstairs , the other residents are left . '
`` One staff member confirmed there were not enough staff to safely support others and to meet the needs of more dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The result of the inspection means that the service remains in 'special measures ' , meaning that the CQC will keep the service under review and reinspect within six months provided they do not propose to cancel the provider 's registration .
St Joseph was contacted for this story but did not wish to comment .

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A failing Birmingham care home did not report incidents of alleged abuse to authorities, it has been revealed.
St Joseph care home on Silverbirch Road, Erdington, was last week given a rating of 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the second time in just six months, having also failed an inspection in July.
The home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 12 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection
St Joseph failed on the questions of safety and leadership, with a string of shortcomings identified by inspectors during a visit toward the end of last month.
These included 'two incidents of alleged abuse concerning three people living at the home,' neither of which had been reviewed or escalated to the relevant authorities.
Inspectors also found 'discarded paving stones and mattresses and missing fence panels' in the home's garden.
Inspectors also found that 'prevention and control procedures in relation to Covid-19 were not adequate', while 'staff did not use, take off or discard of PPE in line with current good guidance.'
Inspectors did find some positives from the inspection - two of the people they spoke to at the home said they felt 'safe and happy', while the report also notes: "Relatives confirmed, and we saw, some improvements to the safety of the environment had been made and were underway since the last inspection, for example new fire doors had been fitted.
"One relative told us new equipment had been purchased for one person and, 'Staff tell me it's much better for [person]'."
However the inspection also brought up issues related to staffing and employment practices, with two of the four recruitment records sampled at random not containing completed DBS checks.
Inspectors also noted: "Most relatives we spoke with told us they felt more staff were needed to support people well.
"One relative said, 'It's impossible… if they are supporting someone to go upstairs, the other residents are left.'
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"One staff member confirmed there were not enough staff to safely support others and to meet the needs of more dependent people at the same time."
The result of the inspection means that the service remains in 'special measures', meaning that the CQC will keep the service under review and reinspect within six months provided they do not propose to cancel the provider's registration.
St Joseph was contacted for this story but did not wish to comment.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Marcelo Bielsa could be without five Leeds players vs Wolves

Wolves are back in Premier League action tonight ( Monday ) as they take on Leeds United at Elland Road .
Nuno Espirito Santo ’ s men will be looking to build on any momentum gained from the 1-0 win over Fulham before the international break .
Wolves have won two and lost two of their opening four league games so far this season .
Leeds meanwhile , have enjoyed their first few games back in the Premier League , and are unbeaten since an opening day loss to reigning Champions Liverpool .
Marcelo Bielsa ’ s men played out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their last Premier League outing .
Ahead of the game , the Leeds boss has a few injury concerns , with up to five players sidelined .
Club captain Liam Cooper faces a late fitness test after picking up a problem on international duty .
Fellow centre-back Diego Llorente also picked up a problem with his international team , which will rule him out of the game .
`` Llorente has a muscular problem .
Cooper also has a muscular problem , but it ’ s not as bad , '' Bielsa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts him at risk of missing the game against Wolves on Monday.
” Adam Forshaw will also be missing from the squad through injury , while mystery still surrounds Kiko Casilla ’ s condition , but he has been missing from the last three squads .
Full-back Gaetano Berardi is a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL tear back in July .
Bielsa has also confirmed some better news for the Whites ahead of Wolves ’ visit , with midfield pairing Pablo Hernandez and Mateusz Klich both fit and available for the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games with a hamstring injury but has been training and could make his comeback against Wolves tonight .

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Wolves are back in Premier League action tonight (Monday) as they take on Leeds United at Elland Road.
Nuno Espirito Santo ’s men will be looking to build on any momentum gained from the 1-0 win over Fulham before the international break. Wolves have won two and lost two of their opening four league games so far this season.
Leeds meanwhile, have enjoyed their first few games back in the Premier League, and are unbeaten since an opening day loss to reigning Champions Liverpool.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Manchester City in their last Premier League outing.
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Ahead of the game, the Leeds boss has a few injury concerns, with up to five players sidelined.
Club captain Liam Cooper faces a late fitness test after picking up a problem on international duty.
Fellow centre-back Diego Llorente also picked up a problem with his international team, which will rule him out of the game.
"Llorente has a muscular problem. Cooper also has a muscular problem, but it’s not as bad," Bielsa said (via LeedsLive ). "Which puts him at risk of missing the game against Wolves on Monday.”
Adam Forshaw will also be missing from the squad through injury, while mystery still surrounds Kiko Casilla’s condition, but he has been missing from the last three squads.
Full-back Gaetano Berardi is a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL tear back in July.
Bielsa has also confirmed some better news for the Whites ahead of Wolves’ visit, with midfield pairing Pablo Hernandez and Mateusz Klich both fit and available for the game.
Hernandez has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury but has been training and could make his comeback against Wolves tonight.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--State-of-the-art medical centre building work to start next year

Plans for a `` state-of-the-art '' new medical centre in the middle of Wednesbury are moving forward , with work expected to start next year .
The flagship GP facility is set to be erected in King Street , with Sandwell Council having drawn up a business case alongside the Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group ( CCG ) .
Health chiefs have said the redevelopment , which will also include five new council houses , would be a shot-in-the-arm for the area .
Although concerns about congestion were voiced earlier this year , with claims that patients could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't any bays available .
Sandwell 's cabinet had been briefed on proposals back in March and were updated last week .
Remediation work on the `` derelict '' council-owned land is expected to be completed by March next year and construction on-site will get underway soon after .
A report presented by Cllr Danny Millard , cabinet member for inclusive economic growth , said : `` The health centre at King Street will replace an outdated clinic at Woods Mesty Croft and a temporary building at Albert Street .
`` The central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access for visitors to the health care . ''
The land was formerly home to the Kingsbury House And Resource Centre , which was pulled down in 2008 .
According to papers , the work is expected to take around 42-weeks .

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Plans for a "state-of-the-art" new medical centre in the middle of Wednesbury are moving forward, with work expected to start next year.
The flagship GP facility is set to be erected in King Street, with Sandwell Council having drawn up a business case alongside the Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
Health chiefs have said the redevelopment, which will also include five new council houses, would be a shot-in-the-arm for the area.
Although concerns about congestion were voiced earlier this year, with claims that patients could park in the area if there weren't any bays available.
Sandwell's cabinet had been briefed on proposals back in March and were updated last week.
Remediation work on the "derelict" council-owned land is expected to be completed by March next year and construction on-site will get underway soon after.
A report presented by Cllr Danny Millard, cabinet member for inclusive economic growth, said: "The health centre at King Street will replace an outdated clinic at Woods Mesty Croft and a temporary building at Albert Street.
"The central location of King Street will allow better access for visitors to the health care."
The land was formerly home to the Kingsbury House And Resource Centre, which was pulled down in 2008.
According to papers, the work is expected to take around 42-weeks.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--New flights to India announced by Virgin Atlantic - with fares from just £473

Thousands of extra flight seats will be available each week after Virgin Atlantic announced new services to Delhi and Mumbai with return fares from just £473 .
Beginning in December , the airline will fly three times a week to Mumbai from Manchester and twice weekly to Delhi starting in January .
Tickets for the new services will go on sale from October 20 .
The flights will provide more than 130,000 extra seats between the UK and India and aim to respond to the fast-growing demand for business and leisure travel to the region as global economies gradually recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Juha Jarvinen , chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic , said : “ India boasts the largest foreign-born population in the UK and we ’ re anticipating that post Covid-19 , the demand to travel home to visit loved ones will increase .
“ Following the relaunch of services from Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi in September 2020 , these new services represent our continued investment in India .
`` Both Mumbai and Delhi are popular year-round destinations , and we look forward to welcoming travellers from the North and Midlands onboard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradually increases to the region .
Andrew Cowan , Manchester Airports Group chief operations officer , said : “ I am sure the routes will prove popular , while helping to further strengthen trade and cultural ties in both directions . ''
“ I look forward to launching these new , strategically important routes this winter .
Customers can be reassured that both Manchester Airport and Virgin Atlantic have all the measures in place to ensure they are kept safe and secure at all stages of their journey.
” Virgin Atlantic is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 26 , followed by its first flight from Manchester to Islamabad launching on December 10 .
Fare : Return Economy fares start from £473 per person , Premium from £733 , and Upper Class from £2,481 The new Mumbai service will benefit the 58,757 passengers from Manchester Airport ’ s vast catchment area that travel to the city indirectly each year .
from £480 per person , Premium from £1,135 and Upper Class from £2,512

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Thousands of extra flight seats will be available each week after Virgin Atlantic announced new services to Delhi and Mumbai with return fares from just £473.
Beginning in December, the airline will fly three times a week to Mumbai from Manchester and twice weekly to Delhi starting in January.
Tickets for the new services will go on sale from October 20.
The flights will provide more than 130,000 extra seats between the UK and India and aim to respond to the fast-growing demand for business and leisure travel to the region as global economies gradually recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “India boasts the largest foreign-born population in the UK and we’re anticipating that post Covid-19, the demand to travel home to visit loved ones will increase.
“Following the relaunch of services from Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi in September 2020, these new services represent our continued investment in India.
"Both Mumbai and Delhi are popular year-round destinations, and we look forward to welcoming travellers from the North and Midlands onboard as demand for leisure and business travel gradually increases to the region.
Andrew Cowan, Manchester Airports Group chief operations officer, said: “I am sure the routes will prove popular, while helping to further strengthen trade and cultural ties in both directions."
“I look forward to launching these new, strategically important routes this winter. Customers can be reassured that both Manchester Airport and Virgin Atlantic have all the measures in place to ensure they are kept safe and secure at all stages of their journey.”
Virgin Atlantic is also resuming its Manchester to Barbados service on October 26, followed by its first flight from Manchester to Islamabad launching on December 10.
Route details
Manchester to Mumbai
Frequency: Three times a week (Mon, Wed, Sat) starting on 19 December 2020
Flight number: VS326 / VS327
Aircraft type: Boeing 787-9 – 31 Upper Class. 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light
Fare: Return Economy fares start from £473 per person, Premium from £733, and Upper Class from £2,481
The new Mumbai service will benefit the 58,757 passengers from Manchester Airport’s vast catchment area that travel to the city indirectly each year.
Manchester to Delhi
Frequency: Twice a week (Tues, Fri) starting on 5 January 2021
Flight number: VS324 / VS325
Aircraft type: Boeing 787-9 – 31 Upper Class. 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light
from £480 per person, Premium from £1,135 and Upper Class from £2,512
For further information visit www.virginatlantic.com.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--'Everyone’s worst nightmare' - Covid-19 results in school closure

A Sandwell school has been forced to close after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19 .
The site manager at Temple Meadow Primary School in Cradley Heath has contracted the virus .
Parents were informed of the `` nightmare '' situation on Sunday , October 18 , and told the Wrights Lane school was likely to be shut all week .
Headteacher Cathy Walsh said : `` Everyone ’ s worst nightmare as you will see from text messages late this evening we unfortunately need to close tomorrow due to a perfect storm situation of a confirmed Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmation of contact with the assistant site manager .
`` This does impact on our overall Covid risk assessment as both are essential to opening and closing a very complex site , critical to site safety and fire safety and of course Covid security .
`` We have been lucky so far but I think we all appreciate the prevalence of Covid is high in the community so the inevitable has happened in that we will be closed ( high probability all week ) .
`` We are sorry for the inevitable inconvenience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand it has been a busy weekend for key staff talking to Public Health , tracking contact and evaluating the situation . ''
She said staff would be hosting home learning content on the school 's website but no work packs would be available as no one would be on site .

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A Sandwell school has been forced to close after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
The site manager at Temple Meadow Primary School in Cradley Heath has contracted the virus.
Parents were informed of the "nightmare" situation on Sunday, October 18, and told the Wrights Lane school was likely to be shut all week.
Headteacher Cathy Walsh said: "Everyone’s worst nightmare as you will see from text messages late this evening we unfortunately need to close tomorrow due to a perfect storm situation of a confirmed Covid case with my site manager and now confirmation of contact with the assistant site manager.
"This does impact on our overall Covid risk assessment as both are essential to opening and closing a very complex site, critical to site safety and fire safety and of course Covid security.
"We have been lucky so far but I think we all appreciate the prevalence of Covid is high in the community so the inevitable has happened in that we will be closed (high probability all week).
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"We are sorry for the inevitable inconvenience but I’m sure you can understand it has been a busy weekend for key staff talking to Public Health, tracking contact and evaluating the situation."
She said staff would be hosting home learning content on the school's website but no work packs would be available as no one would be on site.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Service aimed at helping 'damaged kids' has got worse - report

A string of failings have been laid bare in a service aimed at helping nearly 400 of Birmingham 's most `` damaged '' children .
The city 's Youth Offending Service was told it had deteriorated and must make swift changes in a damning official report which rated it as requiring improvement .
It was just one point away from an inadequate rating after an inspection during the spring and summer , according to the Inspectorate of Probation document .
Based at the Birmingham Children 's Trust , the organisation works with more than 370 of the most `` challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city .
It has an annual budget of more than £7 million and more than 140 staff working with children who have broken the law or been in trouble with police , to try to help them turn away from crime .
Among a series of concerns raised in the report , inspectors found the wishes and needs of victims were `` not prioritised '' and the risk of harm to others was `` underestimated '' .
They also warned the majority of assessments , planning and case reviews of children in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the risk of harm someone could pose were inadequate .
The quality of work had worsened since 2016 , with five out of 12 areas of focus determined to be inadequate , according to the findings .
Chief inspector of probation Justin Russell said : `` Birmingham YOS works with some of the most challenging but also vulnerable and damaged children in the city .
The service has a profound impact on their life chances .
`` We found just over half of the children known to the YOS were not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under-16s were not receiving any education at all .
`` This is simply not good enough - children must be supported to access education because it helps them to move away from crime and gives them the key to a better future .
`` There is a lack of management oversight and scrutiny across the organisation .
`` It was disappointing to find such inconsistent practice in a significant proportion of the inspected cases .
`` The service must improve the overall quality of its work to keep children safe , ensure there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's needs , and to protect the public . ''
In particular a `` disproportionate number of black boys were known to the service '' , but inspectors found not enough work had been done to understand their needs in order to address them .
The inspection did note some strengths , praising staff as `` motivated and committed to supporting the children they work with '' .
According to the report , the service had already set out a plan of action and was investing in training while seeking council help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be filled in a bid to address the raft of recommendations for improvement .

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A string of failings have been laid bare in a service aimed at helping nearly 400 of Birmingham's most "damaged" children.
The city's Youth Offending Service was told it had deteriorated and must make swift changes in a damning official report which rated it as requiring improvement.
It was just one point away from an inadequate rating after an inspection during the spring and summer, according to the Inspectorate of Probation document.
Based at the Birmingham Children's Trust, the organisation works with more than 370 of the most "challenging" and "damaged" children in the city.
It has an annual budget of more than £7 million and more than 140 staff working with children who have broken the law or been in trouble with police, to try to help them turn away from crime.
Among a series of concerns raised in the report, inspectors found the wishes and needs of victims were "not prioritised" and the risk of harm to others was "underestimated".
They also warned the majority of assessments, planning and case reviews of children in custody were insufficient, and considerations made about the risk of harm someone could pose were inadequate.
The quality of work had worsened since 2016, with five out of 12 areas of focus determined to be inadequate, according to the findings.
Chief inspector of probation Justin Russell said: "Birmingham YOS works with some of the most challenging but also vulnerable and damaged children in the city. The service has a profound impact on their life chances.
"We found just over half of the children known to the YOS were not in mainstream education and 11 per cent of under-16s were not receiving any education at all.
"This is simply not good enough - children must be supported to access education because it helps them to move away from crime and gives them the key to a better future.
"There is a lack of management oversight and scrutiny across the organisation.
"It was disappointing to find such inconsistent practice in a significant proportion of the inspected cases.
"The service must improve the overall quality of its work to keep children safe, ensure there is a sufficient focus on addressing children's needs, and to protect the public."
In particular a "disproportionate number of black boys were known to the service", but inspectors found not enough work had been done to understand their needs in order to address them.
The inspection did note some strengths, praising staff as "motivated and committed to supporting the children they work with".
According to the report, the service had already set out a plan of action and was investing in training while seeking council help to resolve funding problems so job vacancies could be filled in a bid to address the raft of recommendations for improvement.


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Nuno ‘proud’ of Kilman after stunning showing in Leeds United win

Nuno Espirito Santo was happy to single out Max Kilman for praise after his brilliant defensive showing in the win over Leeds United .
The rookie defender was starting his second successive Premier League game at Elland Road and helped Wolverhampton Wanderers seal yet another clean sheet .
Kilman was rewarded for his efforts with Sky Sports ' man of the match award after winning 100 per cent of his defensive duels and providing the pass which allowed Raul Jimenez to win it for the visitors .
And Nuno , who promoted to Kilman to the first team two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what was just his 14th senior appearance for Wolves .
`` I think he played well , '' Nuno said .
`` In the second half he started really well , reading the lines and anticipating well .
It was a good pass forward for the goal too .
`` Max , I think everybody knows , he was with the under-23s .
His professional career was very premature .
I think he has something .
He works very hard , he knows what he has to improve and he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by .
`` I ’ m proud of the answer he ’ s given today but the credit is for him .
When your chance comes you have to respond and Max did that .
Two seasons ago Max was a back-up and now he is ready to compete . ''
Wolves are the first team to defeat Leeds at Elland Road this season with Fulham and Manchester City previously failing to take maximum points .
The hosts dominated the first half but a resolute defensive showing , plus some swift counter-attacking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinch their third win in five league matches .
“ I think the second half was better , '' added Nuno .
`` Leeds started very strong and they were able to create situations .
As the game goes , I think we keep on growing inside the game .
The answer in terms of fitness was good .
I think we defended well .
The second half was better , with the ball and we created more chances .
“ The character of the team was evident .
In terms of fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

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Nuno Espirito Santo was happy to single out Max Kilman for praise after his brilliant defensive showing in the win over Leeds United.
The rookie defender was starting his second successive Premier League game at Elland Road and helped Wolverhampton Wanderers seal yet another clean sheet.
Kilman was rewarded for his efforts with Sky Sports' man of the match award after winning 100 per cent of his defensive duels and providing the pass which allowed Raul Jimenez to win it for the visitors.
And Nuno, who promoted to Kilman to the first team two years ago, was delighted with his defender on what was just his 14th senior appearance for Wolves.
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"I think he played well," Nuno said. "In the second half he started really well, reading the lines and anticipating well. It was a good pass forward for the goal too.
"Max, I think everybody knows, he was with the under-23s. His professional career was very premature. I think he has something. He works very hard, he knows what he has to improve and he’s become stronger as the time has gone by.
"I’m proud of the answer he’s given today but the credit is for him. When your chance comes you have to respond and Max did that. Two seasons ago Max was a back-up and now he is ready to compete."
Wolves are the first team to defeat Leeds at Elland Road this season with Fulham and Manchester City previously failing to take maximum points.
The hosts dominated the first half but a resolute defensive showing, plus some swift counter-attacking in the second half, allowed Wolves to clinch their third win in five league matches.
“I think the second half was better," added Nuno. "Leeds started very strong and they were able to create situations. As the game goes, I think we keep on growing inside the game. The answer in terms of fitness was good. I think we defended well. The second half was better, with the ball and we created more chances.
“The character of the team was evident. In terms of fitness and energy, it was much better.”


birminghammail--2020-10-19--Conor Coady brilliantly responds to Liverpool transfer question

Conor Coady brilliantly brushed off a joke from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher about replacing the injured Virgil van Dijk after Wolverhampton Wanderers ’ win over Leeds United .
Raul Jimenez bagged the winner at Elland Road to clinch Wolves ’ third win from their opening five Premier League matches .
Wolves captain Coady stepped up for media duties after the game and Carragher decided to go on the wind up .
“ Obviously you won ’ t be aware as you ’ re playing tonight but Jurgen Klopp has had his Champions League press conference and he ’ s mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a replacement for Virgil van Dijk , '' said Carragher .
`` Would that come into your thinking ?
” Carragher was of course joking but Coady wasn ’ t to know and laughed it off live on Sky Sports .
“ I can ’ t believe you ’ ve just put this on me here , ” he said .
“ Not at all , I love playing for this football club .
We ’ ve just beat Leeds in an amazing game - so no !
” Carragher added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klopp saying that ?
” But Coady , who is an avid Liverpool supporter having climbed through the ranks at Melwood , wasn ’ t falling for it .
“ You know what I ’ m like mate , I wouldn ’ t think of anything like that !
”

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Conor Coady brilliantly brushed off a joke from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher about replacing the injured Virgil van Dijk after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ win over Leeds United.
Raul Jimenez bagged the winner at Elland Road to clinch Wolves’ third win from their opening five Premier League matches.
Wolves captain Coady stepped up for media duties after the game and Carragher decided to go on the wind up.
“Obviously you won’t be aware as you’re playing tonight but Jurgen Klopp has had his Champions League press conference and he’s mentioned you and two other players who could be a replacement for Virgil van Dijk," said Carragher. "Would that come into your thinking?”
Carragher was of course joking but Coady wasn’t to know and laughed it off live on Sky Sports.
“I can’t believe you’ve just put this on me here,” he said. “Not at all, I love playing for this football club. We’ve just beat Leeds in an amazing game - so no!”
Carragher added: “You must be honoured though with Klopp saying that?”
But Coady, who is an avid Liverpool supporter having climbed through the ranks at Melwood, wasn’t falling for it.
“You know what I’m like mate, I wouldn’t think of anything like that!”