Palestinian pianist returns for concert
A Palestinian pianist who has played around the world, thanks in part to fundraising by people from Staffordshire, is returning to perform.
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Midlands digger manufacturer’s earnings at £365m
Great-grandmother stops thief with her handbag
A have-ago-hero great-grandmother has earned herself the unofficial title of 'supergran' after she stopped a shoplifter with her handbag.
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Nurse staffing levels could lead to another Mid-Staffordshire scandal
The Safe Staffing Alliance quoted a survey of almost 3,000 nurses at 31 English hospitals which found that wards were run with a ration of one nurse for eight patients about 40% of the time.
In a statement, the group said: "For the sake of clarity, more than eight patients per registered nurse is the level considered to be unsafe and putting patients at risk. It is not a recommended minimum.
"For nurses to provide compassionate care which treats patients with dignity and respect, higher levels will be needed and these should be determined by every health care provider."
The survey by Nursing Standard and the Sunday Mirror also found that almost half of nurses had seen patients suffer as a result of services being cut. But 57.5% of nurses said they were still proud to work for the NHS.
Royal College of Nursing general secretary Dr Peter Carter told the newspaper: "What happened at Mid Staffordshire was a tragedy, and for nurses to say they predict another scandal is very worrying indeed.
"The issues of unsafe staffing levels, unregulated health care assistants, and a financially driven culture must be addressed."
Nurses think Mid-Staffordshire scandal could happen again
The Safe Staffing Alliance (SSA) says wards often have just one registered nurse looking after eight patients.
The SSA says research shows when nurses are asked to look after more than eight patients there is an increased in risk of harm or death.
The warning comes as a poll for the Sunday Mirror and the Nursing Standard journal found that more than three quarters of nurses believe a scandal similar to that in Mid-Staffordshire could happen again.
In the poll of 2,000 nurses, 40% said on their last shift there were not enough staff to provide a safe level of care.
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Minister: Hospitals responsible for nurse staffing level
A new chief inspector of hospitals would be empowered to take action if hospitals are found to be compromising patient care with insufficient staffing, the Government has said.
Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said hospitals were responsible for their own levels of staff numbers.
– Dr Dan PoulterIt is for hospitals themselves to decide how many nurses they employ, and they are best placed to do this.
Nursing leaders have been clear that hospitals should publish staffing details and the evidence to show that staff numbers are right for the care needs of the patients that they look after.
Overall, the number of clinical staff in the NHS has risen and the number of admin staff has fallen by 18,000.
Palestinian pianist returns for concert
A Palestinian pianist who has played around the world, thanks in part to fundraising by people from Staffordshire, is returning to perform.
Read the full storyPensioner banned from selling plants
A pensioner has been banned from selling plants at his home for charity because he does not have planning permission. Watch Keith Wilkinson's full report.
Drink-drive footballer rejoins club
A goalkeeper jailed for killing two young boys in a car crash in Staffordshire while drink-driving has rejoined the football club he was playing for at the time.
Luke McCormick, 29, has signed a one-year deal with Plymouth Argyle, the club said.
He was jailed for seven years and four months in October 2008 for killing Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight, in a crash on the M6 in Staffordshire as he returned from a team-mate's wedding while twice the drink-driving limit.
League Two side Argyle, said the goalkeeper had said he would donate "a significant sum of money" and give his time to support a local children's charity after he rejoined.
The club originally cancelled his contract "by mutual consent" a month after the crash in June 2008.
James Brent, the club chairman, said: "Although Luke made a dreadful mistake with unthinkable consequences, he has served his time and is totally remorseful."
"While I respect others who have alternative views, from a moral standpoint, the board and I think Luke is entitled to rehabilitation._
"John Sheridan (the team manager) wanted to sign him and the club is totally supportive of that."_
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Conservative Councillor thanks voters for support in Staffordshire
Conservative Councillor Philip Atkins thanks voters following confirmation they have retained control of Staffordshire County Council.
Staffordshire counting over: Conservatives retain control
- Conservatives – 34 seats
- Labour – 24 seats
- Liberal Democrats – 0 seats
- UKIP – 2 seats
- Other – 2 seats
UKIP takes first Staffordshire seat by two votes
by Charlotte GrantUKIP has won its first seat in Staffordshire taking Keele, Knitton and Silverdale.
It was extremely tight, they beat Labour by just two votes.
An improvement for Labour in Staffordshire but not looking promising
by Charlotte GrantThe final results in Staffordshire are not back yet but it is not looking promising in terms of Labour gaining control of the Conservative controlled council.
The Conservatives currently have 29 seats to Labour's 21. To take an overall majority, the Conservatives need to reach 32.
It has been an uplifting picture for Labour so far in Staffordshire, compared to the 2009 results when they were almost completely wiped out. Up until then, Labour had controlled the Council for 28 years.
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