Birmingham Post

Services Cut Fear On New Hospital

The chief executive of Birmingham's planned superhospital has warned senior medical staff clinical services may have to be cut if the pounds 559 million project is to get Government approval. Mark Britnell was reacting to the surprise announcement that HM Treasury officials will be visiting the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust next week to examine the finances of the massive PFI scheme.

80,000 Join Midland One-Day Strike Over Pension Cuts

Schools, libraries, nurseries, and job centres across the West Midlands were closed yesterday as up to 80,000 public sector workers took part in a one-day strike over pension cuts. Demonstrations were held across the region by public sector workers angry over Government proposals that would end the so- called 85-year rule, under which council staff can retire if their age and length of service add up to 85 years.

Sir Albert Runs Up Pounds 1,450 Council Phone Bill

Top Birmingham Labour politician Sir Albert Bore ran-up a pounds 1,450 bill on his city council mobile phone in just six months - easily outstripping local authority colleagues. The cost of Sir Albert's calls, from May to October, were ten times greater than Conservative council leader Mike Whitby, whose bill was pounds 144.

Midland: Prison Team Is Worth Its Weight in Gold ; Birmingham Prison Was Once Called the Worst in the Country. But This Year It has Been Given 'Pathfinder' Status for the Package of Treatment It Offers Drug-Addicted Prisoners. Emma Pinch Finds Out How It Is Leading the Way in Tackling Prisoners' Problems

About two-thirds of the inmates arriving at HMP Birmingham are drugs or alcohol dependent. In an attempt to tackle their problems there are a variety of treatments available, with those with the most serious problems spending 12 days in the detox centre on J-wing.

Midland: How Mark Climbed Out of His Drug Hell

Mark Brunton, a coach glazing technician from Staffordshire, has just celebrated his 34th birthday in prison. He is serving three years for supplying heroin and has been in jail for four months. He says a relationship breakdown three-and-a half years ago was the catalyst for a rapid downward spiral in his circumstances.

Midland: Period Cells Are More in Demand for Inmates ; Emma Pinch has a Look Round Hmp Birmingham

It's like a cross between a hospital and army barracks. Black and white tiled floor, a picture of the Queen, mint green walls and sliding doors. But beyond reception is the first indication you're in a prison. The first formidable metal grill - albeit in a green and cream 1960s style design.

Midland: Inquest Verdict Shocks Parents

The parents of a toddler who died at Birmingham Children's Hospital said they were "shocked" by a coroner's decision to rule out neglect. Samantha and Scott Douglas's 18-month-old son Dylan died at the hospital on April 26 last year, a few hours after corrective surgery to reshape the bones in his skull.

Entwhistle Indicted for Murder

Briton Neil Entwistle was yesterday indicted in the US for allegedly shooting dead his wife and baby daughter. A Grand Jury has decided the 27-year-old should face two charges of murder and additional counts of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, prosecutors said.

Midland: Hospital Defends Pounds 1.5m Parking Charges

A Birmingham hospital yesterday defended its car parking policy after it was revealed it raised pounds 1.5 million from charges. Figures from the Department of Health showed 12 hospital trusts raised more than pounds 1m but suggested University Hospital Birmingham received pounds 1.5 m from 2004-05 fees.

Midland: Hospital Call Charges to Be Examined

The use of high-cost bedside telephones in hospitals is to be reviewed amid claims patients are being ripped off, the Government said yesterday. The new patient power review group set up by the Health Department will look at all aspects of telephone or TV systems and examine if hospitals can relax rules on using mobile phones.

Midland: Police Computer Corruption Charges

A detective and two former detectives were among six men who appeared in court yesterday on corruption charges. John Michael Matthews (58), a serving detective sergeant with Staffordshire Police, and Anthony Wood (63) and Gary Flanagan (41), both former detective sergeants with the same force, appeared at London's Bow Street Magistrates Court.

Midland: Guard Hurt in Gun Robbery

Midland: Pair Charged Over Body

Midland: Drug Dealer Will Serve 30 Years for 'Cold-Blooded' Street Execution

A drug dealer who carried out the cold blooded execution of a man in a Birmingham street has been jailed for life. Kemar Whittaker fired a volley of bullets at Andrew Huntley near a city nightclub before shooting him twice in the head at close range.

Midland: News Digest - Four Arrested

Four teenagers have been arrested by detectives investigating a churchyard incident in which a 17-year-old girl was set alight. Two boys and two girls, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, were detained on Monday evening and taken for questioning at police stations in Redditch and Kidderminster.

Midland: News Digest - Armed Car Theft

Masked thieves stole a woman's car after knocking on the door of her home and threatening her with a handgun. Warwickshire Police said offenders took a handbag from the house in Water Orton, near Coleshill, before taking her Honda Civic.

Midland: News Digest - Pub Attack

Police are hunting arsonists who threw two petrol bombs at a Walsall pub. The attack on the Tannery Pub in Burrowes Street was at about 10.30pm on Sunday while a female member of staff was in the building.

Midland: News Digest - Skip Robbery

An armed robber threatened employees at a skip hire company in Birmingham before taking cash. The man approached staff at the firm in Aston Road, Nechells, at 10.45pm on Monday.

Midland: News Digest - Walkers Wanted

Health bosses in the Black Country are appealing for keen walkers to lead a series of healthy walks. Sandwell Primary Care Trust is launching its latest stroll around Oldbury today, but organisers claim this initiative is proving so popular they need more people to train as walk leaders.

Midland: Baby Deaths Shock for Birmingham

More babies die in Birmingham before their first birthday than in any other part of the country, according to figures released yesterday. The charity Bliss found a baby in Birmingham was eight times more likely to die before its first birthday than one in Surrey from 2002 to 2004.