Updates from Monday 20 August to Monday 27 August
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Birmingham Live
Here are some of the stories featuring on the Birmingham Live website this morning:
We told you earlier that a BBC investigation had revealed that four trusts in England and Wales had made patients wait more than 24 hours for an ambulance.
In the West Midlands, the longest waiting time exceeded 10 hours.
The new figures, obtained by the BBC after a Freedom of Information request, also show that between 2015 and 2017, the total number of calls received increased by 15% across England and Wales.
Consultation starts today on a new Sprint bus network in the West Midlands, external ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Transport for West Midlands said the new, longer, high-capacity buses would feel very much like trams, with wi-fi and air conditioning.
Unlike trams they would run on normal roads, but use dedicated bus lanes to avoid congestion.
Image source, Transport for West MidlandsCombined with less frequent stops than normal buses, the Sprint service would also be much quicker, TfWM said.
In all, seven routes are expected to be introduced by 2026, linking up with HS2, with three of those to be delivered in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
TfWM said ultimately the 80 new vehicles would be an important way of reducing air pollution in the city, although whether they're electric, diesel or LPG would only be agreed with the eventual operator.
BBC Midlands Today
A woman from Walsall, who relies on an emergency personal alarm to call for help if needed, says it's "disgusting" people may soon be charged to use the service.
At the moment the service is free, external - but the borough council is consulting on whether to charge up to £728 a year to use it., external
It would affect about 7,000 people in the town and some say the charge could ultimately put lives at risk.
Quote MessageOn the amount of benefits I receive, I wouldn't be able to afford it so therefore it would put my life at risk. I do know there are people with more serious medical needs than myself that have this system and there lives will be put at risk too and it's not right."
Sue Robinson
BBC Breakfast
Some patients have had to wait more than a day for an ambulance after dialling 999, according to a BBC investigation.
It shows that between June 2017 and June of this year the longest delays were recorded at more than 50 hours across England.
Mark Docherty, external from West Midlands Ambulance Service says the figures revealed some of the longest waits and wasn't representative of the whole situation.
Quote MessageMost people who ring for an ambulance get a response very quickly. There's evidence that more and more patients are surviving as a result of us getting to the most life-threatened quickly. Some of the long waits in my own service were when the 'Beast from the East' made it exceptionally difficult to get to patients, due to the weather conditions."
Mark Docherty, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.
Mr Docherty said the West Midlands "mustn't be complacent" and would continue to make improvements.
So how could the ambulance service improve?
"More paramedics dealing with patients, more patients going to the right services. We get many patients calling who don't have a life-threatening condition - it's important that those patients take responsibility and go to the right service which can better provide the service for them," said Mr Docherty.
If it's not a life-threatening medical emergency people are being asked to call 111 , externalrather than 999.
Here are some of the stories making the headlines on the Express & Star website this morning:
Thousands of teenagers in the West Midlands will be opening their GCSE results this morning under a new, tougher system.
Almost all results in England will be graded from 9 to 1 and the highest grade of 9 will be harder to achieve than the previous A*.
Image source, Getty ImagesMalcolm Trobe of the ASCL head teachers' union told the BBC that if exams are "excessively difficult" it could send a "demoralising message" to lower-achieving pupils.
This sparrow hawk injured a wing when it flew into a window at Birmingham Airport.
It's now being cared for by the Falconry Centre in Hagley, which says it should be flying again in two weeks.
Image source, Birmingham Airport PoliceThe centre said it's caring for 20 other birds which have done something similar.
Nicola Beckford
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today
A woman from Worcestershire who was given just days to live is trying raise awareness of the symptoms of blood cancer.
Kate Stallard, 32, had been experiencing severe exhaustion and headaches but she dismissed it as stress - only to discover it was signs of leukaemia.
Following months of treatment she is now recovering and is an ambassador for Leukaemia Care.
Quote MessageA lot of people are misdiagnosed for weeks and months, in some cases. I'm really passionate that if people are poorly and have the symptoms of Leukaemia, including night sweats, severe exhaustion, bruises, bleeding and banging headaches then please go to your GP and say I think I might have Leukaemia and ask for an urgent blood test.
Kate Stallard, Diagnosed with Leukaemia
A man has died in a car crash in Wolverhampton last night, say police. , external
The 23-year-old man died at the scene in Finchfield Road in Castlecroft.
Four people in another car were treated for minor injuries.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter
A cooler day today, though it will be mostly dry with some sunshine.
This afternoon we will see cloudier skies at times and there could be the odd shower - highs of 20C (68F).
Latest weather forecast for the West Midlands
Stephanie Barnard
BBC News
Good morning.
I'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands between now and 19:00.
We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via;
Jonathan Kodjia heads a late second equaliser as Aston Villa cancel out Neal Maupay's double to deservedly draw with Brentford.
Read MoreBolton Wanderers continue their unbeaten start to the Championship season with victory against Birmingham City.
Read MoreStoke City are well beaten by newly promoted Wigan Athletic as the winless Championship start goes on for Gary Rowett's Potters.
Read More
Andy Giddings
BBC News
We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.
A man's been jailed for more than seven years after police seized £300,000 when they pulled over his car on the M6 in an anti-money laundering operation., external
Police say Tariq Zia was part of a scheme to transfer cash between London and the north and north west of England.
They say they pulled over his BMW in January 2015 on the motorway at Doxey, near Stafford.
The 34-year-old, of Ilford, London, pleaded guilty to a charge of concealing, converting or transferring criminal property at Stafford Crown Court.
As well as being jailed for 89 months, he was also served with a confiscation order for the money seized by police.
Thirty new staff have started at HMP Birmingham, two days after the government took it over from G4S.
Read More
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
Staying dry for the rest of today but that could change by tonight, here's the forecast for the next few hours for the West Midlands:
Shefali Oza
You can get an up-to-date forecast for your part of the West Midlands at any other time from the BBC Weather website.
Alfie Spain, 12, was left crying and vomiting after Lancashire Police sprayed Stoke City supporters.
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