Headlines: Pat Lam's future and pioneering surgery
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.
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Burnham-on-Sea.com reported on the fire which spread across two homes on Wednesday.There are renewed appeals to find a 22-year-old man who has been missing from Yeovil since Boxing Day, reports Somerset Live.Bristol Bears' Pat Lam is being discussed on Wales Online, as news emerged that the Welsh national team approached him about his availability.And the story about the woman who had her eyesight saved in time for her wedding with pioneering surgery was reported on by ITV News West Country
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Swindon Borough Council said two schools in Swindon have been shortlisted for primary school of the year at the Times Educational Supplement School Awards. The winners will be announced on 20 June at a gala in London.Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre has alerted Facebook users to a fake letter circulating about the future of the Wall's Club, which closed a few months ago. He said it was "the second time in recent months that someone has shared a hoax letter from a government department in Gloucester to try to sow division in our city".There is a discussion on the Spotted in Trowbridge Facebook page about a school policy on wearing blazers, with parents saying it is unfair on exceptionally hot days.And there are two new ultrasound machines at Bath's RUH, one funded by a husband in memory of his late wife, which the hospital says will speed up diagnosis and help doctors make better-informed decisions.
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Parents killed in 'hit-and-run' had been shopping in post-Christmas sales when car ploughed into them as they crossed the road, inquest hears
Two parents who reportedly pushed their teenage daughter to safety as a car ploughed into them on Boxing Day had spent their day shopping in the post-Christmas sales, an inquest has heard. Anthony Hogg, 40, and his wife Georgina Hogg-Moore, 39, died after the horror collision near Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Dublin, on December 26, 2024. A grey Audi A7 struck the pair while they were crossing Blanchardstown Road North, leaving Mrs Hogg-Moore dead at the scene and Mr Hogg so severely injured that he later died in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. The couple left behind two children, one of whom was with them at the time and only suffered minor injuries. At an inquest today, Dublin District Coroner's Court heard the sisters of both Mr Hogg and Mrs Hogg-Moore testify to identifying their siblings' bodies at the scene and at hospital. Coroner Clare Keane said the postmortem results indicated that the couple both died as a result of traumatic injuries due to a collision. Detective Inspector Jim McDermott applied for the inquests to be adjourned under Section 25 (2) of the Coroners Act as charges have been made in relation to the deaths. This was granted and the inquests were adjourned to a future date which will be confirmed after the conclusion of relevant criminal proceedings. John Halpin, 45, of Whitestown Avenue, Blanchardstown, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving at Dublin District Court on December 30, 2024. Mr Halpin, who was a neighbour of the parents, was also accused of two counts of hit-and-run and failing to offer assistance at the scene of the incident. Garda Alan Murphy, who arrested Mr Halpin on the evening of the incident, previously noted that he did not reply when charged. The 45-year-old was granted bail at Cloverhill District Court earlier this year through his own bond of 200 euros (roughly £168) with a cash lodgement of 2000 euros (roughly £1682). He was ordered to attend his garda station two times every week, and to ensure he did not apply for any new travel documentation after handing over his passport. Mr Halpin was also warned not to contact the deceased's family on social media or in person. According to the Irish Sun, Gardaí believe the daughter of the tragic parents may have been pushed to safety after her bruising suggested she was only hit by a wing mirror. Pictures of a vigil being held at the spot where the tragedy occurred emerged the following night, which included the release of blue and white balloons. At that time, Mrs Hogg-Moore's sister, Katie Moore, paid tribute on social media saying the family were 'absolutely broken-hearted'. The couple's niece, Kirstie Moore, also described the pair as having 'the most genuine hearts and souls'. She added that their family had 'no words to describe' how they were feeling.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ex-England cricketer's daughter 'dismissed multiple times' by NHS before death
An inquest has heard how Bethan Amy James, the daughter of former England cricketer Steve James, was 'dismissed' by doctors before she died just 48 hours after being taken to hospital. The 21-year-old daughter of a former cricket star tragically died after being "dismissed" by doctors multiple times, an inquest has heard. Bethan Amy James, daughter of ex- England cricketer Steve James, passed away in hospital on February 9, 2020 after being admitted the previous day. Bethan's father, now a well-respected sports journalist, was covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when she became seriously ill. Because of severe weather, he was unable to return home in time to see her before she died. The inquest into Ms James' untimely death began today at Pontypridd coroner's court, where it was revealed that Bethan had sought medical help several times before she went into hospital for the last time. Her mum, Jane James, told the inquest that she believed 'her life could have been saved', reports Wales Online. Speaking in person at the inquest, she described Bethan as a 'caring' and 'beautiful' person who always put others before herself. She explained that Bethan had suffered with gastrointestinal issues throughout most of her life, before she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2019 at the age of 20. Mrs James said her daughter took her diagnosis with 'great maturity'. Prior to her death Mrs James said Bethan had been studying journalism at the University of South Wales and dreamed of being a voice for those with Crohn's and related illnesses. It was heard how Bethan had started a vlog account where she documented her experience of the condition, before she became involved in a BBC documentary with Amy Dowden, who is also diagnosed with the condition. The documentary aired after Bethan's death, and the programme was dedicated to her memory. Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs James said: 'As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. 'She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist.' Describing the events leading up to her death, Mrs James said Bethan had first visited her GP on January 27, 2020 with fatigue and shortness of breath. Dr Jonathan Carnell gave her an urgent referral to NHS Wales' Llandough Hospital, where she was diagnosed with possible "community acquired pneumonia" - but Mrs James said this was not verbally communicated to her or her daughter by the hospital staff. Despite her illness, Bethan attended university to deliver a presentation the next day but returned "absolutely knackered", and later reported numbness in her right arm and severe nausea, the inquest heard. Over the following days, Bethan's symptoms worsened, including involuntary movements in her right arm and difficulties using her right hand. On February 2, she was taken to A&E at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales, where a doctor dismissed her symptoms as a "hemiplegic migraine." Mrs James told the inquest: "I don't feel on the 2nd that they fully assessed her." Mrs James became emotional as she recounted how her daughter collapsed on Monday, February 3, due to being "so exhausted" from the hospital visits. After this incident, Mrs James stated an ambulance was called but despite the paramedics' arrival, her daughter refused to go to the hospital, feeling dismissed by various doctors and worn out from the long hours of waiting she had already experienced. Paramedics noted that Bethan's heart rate was high, but they couldn't force her to go to the hospital, it was heard. Two days later, on Wednesday, February 5, Bethan's symptoms continued in her right arm, and she also started experiencing numbness and problems with her right leg. "Myself and my husband knew we needed to do something to try and find out what was going on," Mrs James told the inquest. She said they took her back to A&E at the University Hospital of Wales. During this visit, Mrs James said they met Dr Ngua for the second time. She described him as "very, very dismissive" of her daughter and said that he said words to the effect of: "You again! You were here on Sunday." Speaking during the inquest, Dr Ngua said he "did not mean to be dismissive" when he made that comment. He said on reflection Bethan's high heart rate could have been investigated further. Mrs James said while in the hospital waiting area a medic came and did an observation of her daughter. During this, she explained how her heart rate appeared unusually high, though this was initially dismissed by hospital staff as a fault with the machine, she said. Mrs James said a neurology referral was only arranged for the next day after she threatened to escalate the matter to the board seniors, and they went home. However, upon their arrival she said there was 'no record' of the referral appointment and that medics had 'no idea' why they were there. She described this as 'appalling'. By February 8, Bethan was more unwell at home, she said, and 'looked dreadful' with bags under her eyes, and nails so pale she thought she was wearing white nail polish. After Mrs James rang 999, the first person to arrive was a rapid response paramedic named Paul Humphries. Mrs James said Mr Humphries could not record Bethan's blood pressure properly. In hindsight Mrs James said she now knows this is a sign of sepsis. She said the 'signs' of sepsis were 'right in front' of Mr Humphries. The inquest heard how initially Mr Humphries called for a P3 ambulance response, which refers to a low priority. He later escalated this to a P2. Speaking during the inquest, Mr Humphries said he believes he dealt with Bethan appropriately, adding: 'I didn't come away from that incident thinking I did a bad job.' When an ambulance turned upm Mrs James said she didn't sense any 'rush' to get her daughter to hospital. She finally arrived at 7.45pm following a 12 minute journey, it was heard. Mrs James described that on arrival at the NHS University Hospital of Wales they had to wait in the ambulance outside the hospital for a considerable amount of She said the family 'now know' there was a bed available, claiming her daughter wasn't 'deemed unwell enough' to have it. At 8.10pm Ms James was triaged before she went down to the resus deparment at 9.15pm. Mrs James said it occurred to her that her daughter was only at this point going down to where she needed to be to receive help, some three hours after the ambulance had been called. She described there being 'chaos' at the hospital as medics struggled to administer a line into Bethan, and with nobody clearly in charge of her care. Mrs James said she believes it should have been administered in her daughter's neck instead for easier access, or that she should have been taken down to intensive care. While this was ongoing Mrs James said her daughter was awake, could 'hardly breathe' and was 'so scared'. After a wait, Mrs James said an anaesthetist came down and Bethan was put to sleep. Mrs James said she felt that from this point onwards, her daughter's body lost its ability to fight. She said she was asked to leave the room at around 9.25pm before she was told that her daughter had a cardiac arrest a short time later. Mrs James recalled being told that medics were treating her daughter and asked if she wanted to be with Bethan as she passed away. 'As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,' Mrs James said. She said she felt that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on and that her daughter 'should have had the right care straight away'. She added: 'It's heartbreaking as a mum to know that her life could have been saved. They didn't know what they were doing.' The inquest continues.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Sport star's 'beautiful' daughter 'dismissed multiple times' before death
Amy James died a day after being admitted to hospital. The daughter of a cricket star was "dismissed" by doctors multiple times before she died in hospital. Amy James died a day after being admitted to hospital, an inquest has heard. The 21-year-old, daughter of former England cricketer Steve James, was admitted to hospital on February 8, 2020. She passed away on February 9. Ex-Glamorgan star James, a highly respected sports journalist, was covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when she took seriously ill. Weather delays meant he was unable to return home to see her before she died. Today, an inquest into her death opened on Tuesday at Pontypridd coroner's court. Wales Online reports it heard how Bethan had visited hospital on several occasions prior to February 8. Her doting mother, Jane James, told the inquest that her daughter was 'dismissed' by multiple medics and that 'her life could have been saved'. Speaking in person at the inquest Jane James described Bethan as a 'caring' and 'beautiful' person who always put others before herself. She explained that Bethan had suffered with gastrointestinal issues throughout most of her life, before she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2019 at the age of 20. Mrs James said her daughter took her diagnosis with 'great maturity'. Prior to her death Mrs James said Bethan had been studying journalism at the University of South Wales. She dreamed of being a voice for those with Crohn's and related illnesses. It was heard how Bethan had started a vlog account where she documented her experience of the condition, before she became involved in a BBC documentary with Amy Dowden, who is also diagnosed with the condition. The documentary sadly aired after Bethan's death. The programme was dedicated to her memory. Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs James said: "As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist." Mrs James told the inquest about the heartbreaking events that led up to her daughter's death. She explained how on Saturday, January 25, 2020 her daughter had been out in town with a friend when she complained of feeling tired and having shortness of breath. Mrs James said they decided to book her daughter in for an emergency appointment with her GP on Monday, January 27. The inquest heard that her GP, Dr Jonathan Carnell, was concerned about Bethan and set up an urgent referral at Llandough hospital for her respiratory symptoms to be investigated. It was heard that discharge summary notes from the appointment on January 28 read that Bethan was likely suffering from 'community acquired pneumonia'. She was given antibiotics and discharged. However, Mrs James said this diagnosis was not verbally relayed to her or her daughter by medics at the hospital. She said: "They didn't tell her 'community acquired pneumonia'. We sat in the waiting area and they said they think she may have a chest infection and that she should take antibiotics as a precaution." She added that if the word 'pneumonia' had been used it would have struck the family as more sinister in that early stage of her illness developing. The following day, on Tuesday, Mrs James said her daughter was determined to go to university to deliver a presentation that was important to her. Bethan was well enough to drive herself to university, but was 'absolutely exhausted' by the time she got home, it was heard. She developed numbness in her right arm and continued feeling short of breath, the inquest was told. Over the next few days Bethan developed more symptoms including involuntary movements in her right arm and difficulties using her right arm and hand. It was heard how she struggled to hold a cup and had problems holding her arm above her head. In addition it was heard how Bethan was suffering abdominal pain and nausea to the point of being unable to 'tolerate food '. 'On Tuesday she could drive, and by Sunday she couldn't hold a cup in her hand,' Mrs James told the inquest. Due to her worsening symptoms Mrs James said she took her daughter to accident and emergency (A&E) at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, February 2. Mrs James said she clearly remembers the day, including telling the triage nurse about the previous appointment in Llandough. In response, she said the nurse was 'abrupt' which upset her daughter. She explained how Bethan was seen by one particular doctor who was 'dismissive' of her chest symptoms. She said he did not think it was of 'any significance'. She said he spoke to A&E consultant Dr Chen Wen Ngua for advice as well as to neurology registrar Dr Mark Willis. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. It was heard how the outcome of this hospital trip was that Bethan's symptoms were likely the result of a hemiplegic migraine. Mrs James said: 'I don't feel on the 2nd that they fully assessed her.' Mrs James became emotional when she described how on Monday, February 3, her daughter had collapsed because she was 'so exhausted' from being at hospital. Following this Mrs James said an ambulance was called and although paramedics arrived her daughter said she did not want to go to hospital, having felt dismissed by various medics and exhausted by the hours of waiting around she had already endured. It was heard how paramedics noted that Bethan's heart rate was high, but that she couldn't be forced to go to hospital. Two days later, on Wednesday, February 5, Bethan's symptoms persisted in her right arm, and she had also developed numbness and issues with her right leg. Myself and my husband knew we needed to do something to try and find out what was going on,' Mrs James told the inquest. She said they took her back to A&E at the University Hospital of Wales. During this visit Mrs James said they encountered Dr Ngua for the second time. She described him as "very, very dismissive" of her daughter and recalled that he told her daughter words to the effect of: 'You again! You were here on Sunday.' He said on reflection Bethan's high heart rate could have been investigated further. Mrs James said while in the hospital waiting area a medic came and did an observation of her daughter. During this, she explained how her heart rate appeared unusually high. Mrs James said the medic assumed that the machine was broken, but that the family believe it was more likely that Bethan was being dismissed and that her heart rate really was that high. Coroner Patricia Morgan asked Mrs James whether she thinks her daughter should have been admitted at this point. 'Definitely,' she said. 'She was so unwell. They didn't appreciate how unwell she was.' Mrs James added that it was only when she threatened to contact health board seniors that medics agreed to arrange a follow up appointment with neurology. Meanwhile, Bethan could 'barely walk out of the hospital,' she said. The family was advised to return to the hospital the following morning for the neurology referral, Mrs James said. However, upon their arrival she said there was 'no record' of the referral appointment and that medics had 'no idea' why they were there. She described this as 'appalling'. Mrs James said: 'Again her heart rate was off the scale and they said the machine was not working - it probably was just her heart rate and it was dismissed again.' Mrs James added that throughout the assessment, which was with Dr Willis, her daughter's respiratory symptoms were not investigated. She noted a comment made by Mr Willis that she found inappropriate during the assessment. She said: 'He said he had seen a 17-year-old girl with similar symptoms and that she is now symptom free and fine. I have no idea how he could say this to Bethan without diagnosing her.' She said Dr Willis did organise for blood tests to happen that day, but that Bethan was so dehydrated by the time that these came about that medics could not draw blood. Bethan was advised to get these done at her GP instead. Mrs James added: 'I felt they just wanted Bethan out of there as soon as possible.' Speaking during the inquest Dr Willis said he made the comment in an attempt to show compassion and reassure Mrs James. He added: 'I'm sorry to hear Mrs James feels she wasn't listened to.' Answering questions from the family's advocate, Richard Booth, Dr Willis said it was unusual for neurology assessments to result in hospital admission. He said when examining Bethan he found only mild weakness in her right arm. He addressed that neurological symptoms of the nature experienced by Bethan were rare in cases of sepsis. On Saturday, February 8, Mrs James said her daughter had been in bed all afternoon. By the afternoon she said she was watching rugby with her daughter and trying to encourage her to eat. By 4pm Mrs James said her daughter 'looked dreadful' with bags under her eyes and nails so pale she thought she was wearing white nail polish. On a number of occasions Mrs James recalled asking if she could call for an ambulance, but in response her daughter reiterated that Dr Willis said she would soon be fine. However, she called 999 that evening. The first person to arrive was a rapid response paramedic named Paul Humphries. Mrs James said Mr Humphries could not record Bethan's blood pressure properly. In hindsight Mrs James said she now knows this is a sign of sepsis. She said the 'signs' of sepsis were 'right in front' of Mr Humphries. The inquest heard how initially Mr Humphries called for a P3 ambulance response, which refers to a low priority. He later escalated this to a P2. Mrs James said: 'I don't know why someone doesn't get a P1 when they are so unwell.' Speaking during the inquest Mr Humphries said in hindsight he believes he dealt with Bethan appropriately. He added: 'I didn't come away from that incident thinking I did a bad job.' When the ambulance turned up Mrs James said she didn't sense any 'rush' to get her daughter to hospital. She finally arrived at 7.45pm following a 12 minute journey, it was heard. Mrs James described that on arrival at the University Hospital of Wales they had to wait in the ambulance outside the hospital for some time. She said they 'now know' there was a bed available, claiming her daughter wasn't 'deemed unwell enough' to have it. At 8.10pm Ms James was triaged before she went down to resus at 9.15pm. Mrs James said it occurred to her that her daughter was only at this point going down to where she needed to be to receive help, some three hours after the ambulance had been called. She described there being 'chaos' at the hospital as medics struggled to administer a line into Bethan, and with nobody clearly in charge of her care. Mrs James said she believes it should have been administered in her daughter's neck instead for easier access, or that she should have been taken down to intensive care. All the while this was ongoing Mrs James said her daughter was awake, could 'hardly breathe' and was 'so scared'. After some time Mrs James said an anaesthetist came down and Bethan was put to sleep. Mrs James said she felt that with that her daughter's body lost its ability to fight. She said she was asked to leave at around 9.25pm before she was told her daughter had a cardiac arrest. She recalled being told medics were working on Bethan and if she wanted to be with her as she passed away. 'As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,' Mrs James said. She commented that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on. She said her daughter 'should have had the right care straight away'. She added: 'It's heartbreaking as a mum to know that her life could have been saved. They didn't know what they were doing.' The inquest continues.
