It has been a big year for the English health service, but for the wrong reasons, writes Alex Nunns of the NHS Support Federation. Here Alex pulls together the strands to explain what is really going on in the NHS.
Devon County Council is warning walkers, cyclists and horse riders to take extra care when using paths close to rivers and cliffs over the next few days.
Persistent rain means the ground is saturated and river levels are high, so there is an increased risk of surface water and river flooding as well as the potential for fallen trees and landslips.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said:
“Between Christmas and New Year is a popular time for walking and getting outside for some fresh air, but I would...
It’s that time of year again. Christmas is fast approaching. The shops are all playing jolly festive jingles that irritate shoppers but can send shop workers insane by the end of their shifts.
But listen to the seasonal soundtrack and note that, more than ever, we now celebrate Christmas in non-religious ways. References to the birth of Jesus have become rare as Christianity fades from our Christmas festivities.
Some may argue that this decline in the religious meaning of Christmas isn’t important.
However, even for non-believers, an awareness of Christian beliefs...
With the festive season upon us, which traditionally sees an increase in incidents of domestic abuse, support agencies would like to raise awareness of the services and help available to those who are at risk, or suffering domestic abuse across the region this Christmas.
Figures from Devon and Cornwall Police show that in December 2011, a total of 231 domestic abuse incidents were recorded in the period between Christmas Day and New Year 2011 – a 48% increase on the average number of incidents during the rest of the year.
Rachel Martin from adva (against domestic violence...
Update: Roads are now open between Stoke Canon and Bickleigh and Stagecoach services are operating as normal.
Stagecoach have announced that all its services are operating normally apart from 55 and 155, which are currently unable to serve Stoke Canon and Bickleigh and are diverting down the motorway.
Wreaths come in many different styles and colours, but what exactly do they represent? The Exeter Daily finds out...
In ancient Rome, people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory. Some believe that this is where the hanging of wreaths on doors came from.
The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.
On the morning of 22nd December, Devon & Somerset fire crews attended the following flooding incidents:
1.41 Bretonside, Plymouth 1.57 two people in vehicle pushed to safety, Heybrook Bay, Plymouth 2.18 Colebrook inn, Colebrook Road, Colebrook, Plympton 2.39 Vicarage Lane, West Alvington, Kingsbridge 2.46 Rosewood Close, Goosewell, Plymstock 2.50 Stray Park, Yealmpton 3.03 Charles Street, Dartmouth 3.08 Coleridge Lane Cottages, Chilington, Kingsbridge 3.11 Newnham, Plympton 3.20 Bickleigh, Plymouth 3.28 Movice Street, Devonport, Plymouth 3.30 two men rescued from a car, Haye...
County Council highways teams and social care staff are on high alert ready to respond to potential flooding and other emergency incidents this weekend.
Reports this morning (Saturday 22 December) have already come in of property flooding in Cornwall and Devon, as the South West prepares for another deluge.
Devon County Council and the emergency services are warning residents to take care and remain alert to flooding.
Specifically the public are advised to take care and to avoid if possible cliff top coastal paths where recent rain has already resulted in land slips...
A section of the Exe Estuary trail at Nutwell Court (between Lympstone Station and the Commando Training Camp), may be closed over the coming days to allow Network Rail to carry out emergency repairs to their bridge on the adjacent Exmouth to Exeter railway branch line which has been damaged by the recent severe weather.
The temporary closure is needed to allow Network Rail to safely gain access to the bridge with heavy plant and equipment. A temporary speed restriction for passing trains has been put in place by Network Rail and they are preparing to carry out emergency works to...
There are problems on the A38 tonight. There are reports of heavy traffic queuing on the A38 northbound in Buckfastleigh at Lower Dean Junction, because of an accident involving overturned vehicle. Lane now open again. Fire & Rescue crews have confirmed that one vehicle was involved in a traffic collision, with a car in a field. Two occupants have been released from the vehicle by the fire service personnel and taken to hospital via land ambulance.
Meanwhile, there are (unconfirmed) reports of a further overturned vehicle eastbound on the A38 with slow traffic at Heathfield...
