Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At One 20170221

To the bbc news at one. Hospital services could be cut or scaled back in nearly two thirds of england, in order to save money and to try to improve efficiency, according to a bbc analysis of plans in 44 areas. Proposed changes range from full closures, to centralising services on fewer sites. Our Health Correspondent Sophie Hutchinson has the details. Protests outside Horton Hospital in oxfordshire just a few months ago where there are concerns about bed closures and cuts to stroke and critical care. And its not the only place. Right across england, proposals for big changes are afoot in the nhs. The bbc has analysed 44 of the transformation and sustainability plans. Two thirds include either Hospital Closures or moving treatments to a different site. More than a third involve cuts to the number of hospitals providing non emergency treatments and around one third plan to reduce the number of hospitals offering emergency care. Proposed closures to Hospital Beds have been heavily criticised by the think tank the kings fund. After scenes like these. To shut even 10 of beds is unrealistic at the moment with the current crisis. One hospitals are full they become less safe places we have to make sure any Bed Reconfiguration is done with Patient Safety the priority. The ambition of taking care out of hospital and moving it closer to Patients Homes has been praised by experts as the best hope of delivering essential reforms to the nhs but they say it cant be done without extra funding. Ideally there ought to be an earmarked fund for new investment, to strengthen and improve the out of Hospital Services, and to shore up adult social care, which is really in crisis at the moment. If those additional funds arent forthcoming, the government needs to be honest about the consequences for patients and what the offer to the public will be. Leaving Downing Street today, the Health Secretary was asked to comment. Are you cutting Hospital Services . But decided not to. In a statement, the Department Of Health said. The challenge, though, for the Nhs In England is the short time given to deliver these large scale improvements and, during a period of unprecedented low increases to nhs budgets. Our health editor, hugh pym, is at the Queens Medical Centre in nottingham. Of these is it fair to say a lot of these proposals at this stage . Thats right. Proposals in detail documents in each region of england. They have to be firmed up into definite plans. Some of them if they involve closures will have to go to formal public consultation. But we have moved quite a long way forward with this process which began last year. It was extremely controversial with critics saying this is a covert, secret agenda to carry out cuts. And, actually, nhs england and others say this is what the nhs does, it has to reform care, it has to look at Patient Demand in the community and try to treat people away from hospitals. In nottingham, for example, they want to cut 200 beds at the two hospitals but they wa nt to beds at the two hospitals but they want to reinvest in community care. They think they can move people more quickly back closer to home. That sounds like a good plan in theory but some of the local critics say that if you dont invest in community care, then you lose the beds and actually the city will be a loser across the piece. This is the big debate. Can nhs england, and Health Leaders working together in this way really demonstrate to the public that they will benefit, that this is the way forward . There is quite a big selling job to be done and quitea quite a big selling job to be done and quite a lot of debate further down the road on these plans. Thank you. You can find out the nhs plans in your area in england by going to a heterosexual couple have lost their attempt to be allowed to have a Civil Partnership. Rebecca steinfeld and Charles Keidan had argued that being prevented from entering into one is discriminatory. Today, judges at the Court Of Appeal said that there was a potential human rights breach, but the government should have more time to decide on the future of Civil Partnerships, which were created in 2004 for same sex couples. Our Legal Affairs correspondent Clive Coleman reports. Emerging from court, Charles Keidan and rebecca steinfeld, a heterosexual couple fighting for the right to enter a Civil Partnership. All three of the judges agreed with being treated differently because of our Sexual Orientation and that this impacts our private and family life. All three rejected the argument that we could just get married. All three emphasised that the government cannot maintain the status quo for much longer. A Civil Partnership defined in the 2004 act that created them as a relationship between two people of the same sex so they are not available to heterosexual couples. In december 2014, charles and rebecca were stopped from registering their notice of intention to form a Civil Partnership by their local registry office. Same sex marriage came into force in march 2014. Sir eltonjohn and David Furnish were among the first to tie the knot. Since then, civil partners have been able to convert their Civil Partnership into a marriage, and some 13 have done so. Charles and rebecca argued that the ban on heterosexual couples becoming civil partners breached their right to a family life and discriminated against them. The government won but only by a whisker. All threejudges found all three judges found that the ban on heterosexual couples entering into Civil Partnerships was potentially in breach of their human rights and discriminatory. But two of Thejudges Rights and discriminatory. But two of the judges found that the different treatment of same sex and opposite sex couples was justified by the governments policy on Civil Partnerships which is to wait and see how many same sex couples want to enter into one, rather than to get married. The government has welcomed the courts ruling and says it will carefully consider it. But campaigners are impatient. The government has to wake up and smell the coffee. There is a growing feeling this needs to happen. There isa feeling this needs to happen. There is a growing appreciation backed up by the court today that this is an inequality that cannot go on. There are more than 3 million heterosexual cohabiting couples in the uk who, campaigners say, want the option of a Civil Partnership which conveys and protects virtually all of the same rights as married. This important issue of Social Policy is not going away. Mps have warned of a worsening shortage of teachers in english schools, particularly in maths and science. The Education Select Committee has called on the government to find ways of Making Teaching more attractive, to stop people leaving the profession. Frankie mccamley reports. Maths class for these children, with mr walton. But professionals like him are increasingly hard to come by. Thats according to a group of mps who says School Teacher shortages in england are getting worse. Im into my fourth year of teaching now. I know some people have dropped out now. I think thats mainly due to workload and pressure, and things like that. The Education Select Committee is calling for a Long Term Plan to recruit more teachers and a bigger emphasis to be placed on retaining them, warning many are leaving. Reasons include a lack of job satisfaction, curriculum changes, and workload. Research has found teachers in england worked nearly 20 more than they do in other similar countries. An average of nearly 50 hours of week. 20 of those are spent here in the classroom teaching. Mps say secondary schools are hardest hit in subjects like physics, maths and computing. What weve got to get across is just how important teachers are to our society and our economy. They need to feel valued and trusted. The Department For Education says its investing in Teacher Recruitment and development, to make sure the best in the profession stay put. Shares in hsbc have fallen after the Bank Reported a steeper than expected fall in annual profits. It reported pre tax profits of £5. 7 billion for 2016, down more than 60 on the previous year. Hsbc said its performance had been broadly satisfactory given volatile financial conditions but warned that a rise in global protectionism was a concern. Government finances were £91; billion in surplus injanuary, according to the office for national statistics. The first month of the year traditionally sees a surplus, because of the high level of income tax receipts, but this is the biggest january surplus for 17 years. Our economics editor kamal ahmed is with me. That is a bit of good news. It is and isnt often there is good news about borrowing. Of course, if we think back to 2010, the government came in saying it was here to fix the public finances, and some evidence today that the Journey Towards that is continuing. The main reason is that since the referendum the economy has performed a lot better than people thought. That means we are paying more taxes, whether individuals or businesses, which means the government is having to borrow less. The chancellor has a little bit of wriggle room now, looking forward to the budget of next month. Could you spend more money on that toxic issue of business rates, ease some of that pain . Could he pay. Spend more money on the nhs which we have been reporting on today . We have to take Ca Re Reporting on today . We have to take care with this Wriggle Room Notions that he might have more money at the time of the budget. The treasury Still Believes there could be a big Economic Cost attached to britain leaving the eu, and any extra money we will want to save back for the possibility of a rainy day in the future. Thank you. Five people have been killed after a Light Aircraft crashed into a Shopping Centre in melbourne in australia. The pilot reported a catastrophic Engine Failure shortly after take off. The shops werent open at the time of the crash, and no one on the ground is believed to have been injured. Our sydney correspondent Hywel Griffith reports. Just metres from the runway, a site strewn with charred metal. Inside the wreckage of the plane which came swooping from the sky. Eyewitnesses described seeing flames rise after it crashed into the dfo Shopping Centre which was due to open its doors one hour later. I just saw a blue flash come down past the Dfo Billboard over there. And, then, all of a sudden, it hit the spotlight, and just erupted into a huge fireball. Theres explosions going off one after the other. So, the plane go up, then cars going off as well. So there was a lot of smoke and flame. Piecing together what led to the crash may take weeks. Specialist investigators have been called to the scene, but the police have confirmed that the pilot made a mayday call shortly before the impact, reporting engine problems. We understand there was potentially catastrophic Engine Failure but we are unsure at this stage. It crashed into the back of the dfo Shopping Centre. It took more than a dozen fire crews to extinguish the flames. The aircraft would have been full of fuel. Drivers on the nearby freeway reported feeling the heat as it burned. The crash has left many shocked. Its a desperately sad day, very, very sad day for our state. A number of people have died as a result of what is the worst Civil Aviation accident that our state has seen for 30 years. All flights out of Essendon Airport have been supended as teams on the ground try to establish exactly what went wrong. Our top story this lunchtime. Some Hospital Services could be cut or scaled back in nearly two thirds of england in an effort to save money and improve efficiency. And still to come. Inside their lordships house. Claims some peers contribute nothing to parliament, but still claim hundreds of pounds in allowances. Coming up in sport at half past on bbc news, england women name their squad to face the top three teams in the world. And casey stoney is back in the reckoning. The conservatives are hoping to make the first by election gain by a Governing Party since the 1980s when people in copeland vote for their new mp on thursday. The vacancy in cumbria was created when the former labour mp and Jeremy Corbyn critic, jamie reed, resigned to take up a job at the Sellafield Nuclear site. Labour have held the seat for more than 80 years. But with a majority ofjust 2,500 over the conservatives, labours long rule is under threat. Jenny kumahs been there to meet the candidates. Whitehaven, a coastal town in the constituency of copeland, and it was once the uks Third Largest port. Now its the nucleur site at sellafield that is key to the local economy, and looming large on the political map. The conservatives are hoping to overturn decades of labour rule here and they are focusing onJeremy Corbyns past opposition to nuclear. But their candidates faced criticism for barely mentioning the potential loss of services from the local hospital in her leaflets. I was born at that hospital, my four daughters were born at that hospital. We must keep consultant led maternity. So what ive actually been doing is working with the minister to identify the problems with recruitment, because thats the real challenge. The labour candidates message is the tories cant be trusted on the nhs. One of her Biggest Challenges is convincing the thousands of Nuclear Workers here that her partys leader is on their side. Im behind the Nuclear Industry, no ifs, no buts. And its Labour Party Policy to support new nuclear build, to keep the lights on in this country. In the last general election here, labour beat the conservatives by just 2500 votes. Smaller parties see an opportunity. Labour has moved to the ideological left, the tories have moved to the ideological right. People in cumbria want a pragmatic politician from a credible party who will focus on their issues and do an excellentjob for them, and i will do that. And people here voted 60 40 for brexit. The infrastructures crumbling, we need new road and rail links. The nhs is at risk. Theres nojobs, all the heavy manufacturing industrys gone. I think its time for change. All the parties are supporting plans for a new Power Station in the constituency, but the greens are against it. I dont think its the magic bullet everyones been led to believe it is, and if the Nuclear Industry had been so good for this area, then why are towns like whitehaven. Why are there so many empty units . Why are people so hard up around here and why are these towns struggling . If labour manage to hang onto this seat, it will be a boost toJeremy Corbyns leadership. If they dont, questions will be raised about the future of labours stronghold in the north. Jenny kumah, bbc news. And the parliamentary by election in the constituency of copeland takes place on thursday. Heres a full list of the candidates, which is also available on the bbc news website. An israeli soldier who shot dead a wounded palestinian attacker has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for manslaughter. Elor azaria was convicted by a Military Court of Killing Abdul Fatah who was lying on the ground, badly injured, after stabbing a soldier. The case has divided israel the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had led calls for the soldier to be pardoned. Police have begun Excavation Work at two properties in swindon in wiltshire, one of which is believed to be the former home of Christopher Halliwell, whos serving a Life Sentence for the murder of two young women. Halliwell, whos 53, murdered becky godden in 2003 and sian ocallaghan in 2011. Our correspondent, duncan kennedy, is in swindon. Explain whats been happening today . We have had a Police Operation going on since late last night, continuing this morning. They have been operating behind this Blacktop Paulin and you can see from our hair short, there is lots of activity going on behind me, they have erected black tents and that black tarpaulins to cover up what is doing. They have said new information has led them to this and address, and address that Christopher Halliwell lived in between 2006 1996 and 2000. They say they are looking the gardens in the garage, no plans to look inside at the moment. They say they are doing it with the full pool operation of the owners, who are not involved, but they are not going further into saying why they are wrapped this address. Last september Christopher Halliwell was convicted of the murder of becky godden and given a whole life term for that murder. He was already serving 25 yea rs murder. He was already serving 25 years for the murder of sian ocallaghan. Becky godden disappeared in 2003, sian ocallaghan in 2011, there is an eight year gap which police say could account for more victims at the hands of Christopher Kelly well. They were very keen during the course of the trial of september to stress they believe there could be more victims could account for more victims could account for more victims could account for more victims at the hands of Christopher Halliwell. This could be pa rt Christopher Halliwell. This could be part of that. Well chip police were heavily criticised at the time over the Becky Godden Inquiry because of the Becky Godden Inquiry because of the way they handled the arrest. Wiltshire police work. In effect, the justice the Wiltshire Police work. In effect, thejustice the Christopher Halliwell was delayed by six years, six years after becky godden s mains were found that Christopher Halliwell was convicted of murder, which caused all kinds of distress and anxiety for the family of becky godden. Police are back at this address is being very, very meticulous to try to find if there are any more victims at the hands of Christopher Halliwell. Thank you, duncan kennedy. The House Of Lords is continuing to debate the legislation that will allow the government to begin the process of taking the uk out of the european union. Some peers are seeking changes, despite the measure being approved by the commons in the wake of last summers referendum. A former speaker of the House Of Lords has claimed that many peers contribute absolutely nothing to Parliament Despite claiming their full £300 daily allowance. Baroness dsouza made the comments in a bbc interview for a documentary. A House Of Lords spokesman said the chamber is active and effective, and peers can be suspended if they claim allowances without doing any work. Our political corresponded tom bateman reports. They are the peers of the realm, appointed by the monarch on the Prime Ministers advice. Unelected but often experienced politicians. Tv cameras have for the first time been allowed to film freely in committees and behind the scenes of the lords. Most peers dont get a salary but can claim an Attendance Allowance of £300 a day. This system is, not for the first time, facing questions. There is a core of peers who work incredibly hard, who do that work, and there are sad to say many, many, many peers who contribute absolutely nothing but who claim the full allowance. Baroness dsouza claimed an unnamed member kept a Taxi Running Outside The Lords whilst signing in to collect the allowance. Officials here at the House Of Lords are pushing back hard against the idea of freeloading peers. They say there is a robust code of conduct which is independently overseen. The trouble for them is that even the merest hint of an expenses abuse will play into that longer sense of a demise of trust in politicians. Lords officials point out that a member was suspended in a previous case, but without names they cant investigate this new claim of allowance abuse. I never thought id get expert at putting stockings or tights on. This rare access to peers behind the frills is a clear attempt to show the purpose of the lords in modern political life. Many want it to be seen as a crucial working part of the constitution, advising on and improving laws. We take all of the nonsense, rubbish, legislation and some of it is rubbish that comes down from the other end we work on it, line by line, clause by clause, and we improve it. Parliaments traditions come dressed in a rich sense of history. Peers want people to see why they are relevant to modern life, too. A bit tight at the moment, as you can see. But fresh claims about the abuse of allowances will do little to help their cause. Tom bateman, bbc news, westminster. Eight years after it was criticised by Health Inspectors for not having enough beds, Operating Theatres or trained staff, Birmingham Childrens hospital has become the first of its kind to be rated outstanding. The Specialist Hospital has been praised for turning its fortunes around. Our Health Correspondent jane dreaper reports. A mothers tender touch. Connors just seven months old, and recovering in Intensive Care from a liver transplant. Home is 50 miles away, so connors older brother, james, has changed school. Give him a kiss. It is a tough time for the whole family, but they feel supported by the staff in birmingham. We have nearly lost him several times over the last six weeks of being here. We have come really close. Without them, we would not have the child that is laying in this bed. While he is quite poorly, we have got him and he is here. We have faith we will get to take him home. That is the only ask as a parent of a sick child. This is the play and admissions centre, designed to distract and relax young patients before their treatment. Inspectors have been impressed with the hospitals caring approach. This hospital has come a long way since it was criticised by inspectors eight years ago. Back then, a report found a shortage of beds and poor training and care. Paying much closer attention to the views of patients and staff and acting on their ideas has helped change the culture in birmingham and encouraged better teamwork. Eight years ago we were in an organisation that certainly was not listening to our staff, not listening to what children, young people and families were saying, and was in a really difficult place. Through focusing on those areas of patient engagement, staff engagement, we have now got to a position where we are outstanding. Some of the children in outpatients need repeated appointments. So its vital they feel comfortable. I was with a doctor a couple of weeks ago and it wasnt scary or anything, it was very relaxed. He actually helped me. I felt confident. Is it scary when you come here, or do you feel ok about it . I feel 0k about it. The emotional support given to bereaved parents has also been praised in todays report. And they will now be able to use this new room when they are going through the worst of times. Some of the feedback we have had. Rachel has helped Raise Thousands of pounds for this unit after the death of her older daughter, molly, from kidney cancer. When youre given news like that, you feel that you cant breathe sometimes. That you need fresh air. You need to absorb information that is being told to you. And there wasnt that opportunity within the existing building at birmingham at that time, just to be ourselves as a family and be together. The staff here believe they can improve care even further, but today is a huge moment in showing how this hospital has turned a corner. Jane dreaper, bbc news, birmingham. A team of british soldiers is hoping to become the first all female group to Cross Antarctica unsupported. During a three month expedition theyll face temperatures of minus a0 degrees and theyll be walking in that for up to nine hours a day. Our reporter phil mackie joined them for some of their training in norway. The Ice Maiden Team is heading out across a frozen Norwegian Lake at the start of its final training exercise. In september, these soldiers will begin their historicjourney, hoping they will now succeed and inspire a generation of women. It is notjust about five women crossing antarctica, it is about encouraging women from across the military but also in civilian life to get out there and give things a go, and realise there is no ceiling and you can achieve anything. I think we can inspire some women to get out there and be physically active. It doesnt have to be antarctica. Their 5k can be their antarctica. Were just going to have. Ooh, its Hot Chocolate with orange today their home for the next few weeks and the 80 days of the expedition will be a small tent. It will be a bedroom, living room and kitchen. Hi, mum. Hi, dad. There are doctors, a former teacher, and an electrical technician on the team. I am just a normal person from newcastle and i have just happened to come across this incredible opportunity. If you want it and work for it, you canjust do it. They will leave their families and partners behind to spend nearly three months together on the ice. There is Important Research being done as well. No one really knows what it willtake to sustain an all female team on a journey like this. It is notjust about the calories. It is about the actual composition of the rations making sure there is the right amount of carbohydrate, fat and protein and trying to figure out how we can manipulate that, i suppose. And also for a group of women whose nutritional requirements are quite different to men, there has been very little Research Done and certainly not published. So i havent really got a lot to go on. One of the hardest things will be maintaining morale as each long days march goes by. They have just been for a two hour march. They will have to do up to nine hours a day once in the antarctic, carrying everything they need along with them. It will be very, very tough, which is why they need to practise in conditions as harsh as these. There are seven ice maidens. Two will be reserves as only five can cross the antarctic, where they hope to break the ice ceiling, putting them in the History Books alongside explorers like scott, shackleton and amundsen. Phil mackie, bbc news, norway. So impressive louise lear, ifeel cold just looking at those pictures. They need to to practising, staterooms, you might just they need to to practising, staterooms, you mightjust get some. This week we will see the two faces of late february, it was the warmest day of the year so far, 18 degrees, one with sunshine, but look at what is likely to happen during thursday. Severe gales, rain