NHS 111: Patient Deaths Under Investigation

The deaths of three people are under investigation in connection with the NHS 111 non-emergency phone line, according to a report.

The general practitioners trade magazine Pulse reported that at least 22 possible "serious untoward incidents" (or SUIs) related to NHS 111 have been reported since the launch of the service.

Those incidents included three where a patient died, the magazine has claimed.

Two of the deaths occurred in the East Midlands, and one in the West Midlands.

The deaths reportedly include the case of a 47-year-old who died from a suspected overdose.

That death occurred after relatives contacted NHS 111 requesting mental health assistance, Pulse reported. 

A further 19 possible SUIs have been recorded by providers or commissioners, the magazine added.

Rolled out across most of the country last month, the NHS 111 service is for people urgently seeking medical help or advice but who are not in a life-threatening situation.

The service was introduced to replace NHS Direct in England and is meant to ease pressure on emergency 999 call centres.

NHS England said it could not verify the data reported in Pulse, however it issued a statement in response to the magazine's report.

"The safety of patients must be our paramount concern and NHS England will keep a careful eye on the situation to ensure NHS 111 provides not only a good service to the public, but one which is also safe," the statement read.

Earlier this week, NHS England announced a review of the 111 service.

A spokesman said: "The performance standards which have been introduced for NHS 111 represent a gold standard which the majority of NHS 111 services in England are now meeting, though in some areas performance is still unacceptable, especially at weekends.

"Some local providers of NHS 111 have not provided the prompt, reliable service the public need and want.

"NHS England's board is determined to ensure that the public have access to a gold standard NHS 111 service wherever they live in England."

But Clare Gerada, chairwoman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, raised concerns about the free-to-call advice line.

"It is extremely worrying that there is still so much uncertainty around the delivery and reliability of the advice provided by NHS 111 in some areas.

"We are also concerned that patients are losing confidence in the new service before it is even fully up and running.

"We call on NHS England to provide more reassurance about its effectiveness and ability to deliver the necessary standards of care for all patients using the service, right across England."

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Philip Hammond Unsure About F-35 Order

By David Bowden, Senior Correspondent

British operational military pilots have begun flying what is being touted as the world's most advanced stealth fighter jet, the F-35.

But even as they take to the skies, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has given the clearest indication yet that the UK may not now buy all the jets it had planned. 

Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Mr Hammond pledged that the first 48 aircraft on order at a cost of around £100m each would be bought to service the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers from 2020.

But he would not commit to a further 90 planes, which had originally been proposed.

He said: "It's dependent on politics, money and the state of the world, but it's also dependent on what is not yet clearly known, what the mix between manned fighter jets and unmanned aircraft is going to be."

Mr Hammond said there were two trains of thought, one suggesting an 80/20 split of manned to unmanned aircraft in future, the other suggesting the exact opposite.

He said the final decision would determine how many manned F-35s the UK could buy.

The Defence Secretary interrupted a visit to Washington to meet his recently appointed US counterpart Chuck Hagel and fly to the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River in Maryland where the F-35, or the Lightning II as it will be known in Britain, is being tested.

Philip Hammond inspected the F-35 after meeting US counterpart Chuck Hagel

Mr Hammond looked on as former Harrier pilot Pete "Wizzer" Wilson, who now works for defence contractor Bae Systems, which is part of the project team for the F-35, demonstrated the 'B' variant of the aircraft, which is capable of a short take-off and vertical landing.

In Florida at Eglin Air Force Base in the northwest of the state, the first UK military operational pilots began flying the F-35B just six weeks ago.

There are only two of them - Lt Commander Ian "Tidders" Tidball from the Royal Navy and Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler from the RAF.

Both have vast experience on other types of fast jets - Tidball on Sea Harriers and F-18s, Bulcher on the Jaguar and latterly Typhoon aircraft.

After frustrating delays due to problems with the test aircraft and then the weather, both British pilots are now qualified to fly the F-35.

Lt Commander Tidball told me after his qualifying flight: "Having come back from the Harrier and F-18, the aircraft handles absolutely exceptionally, very responsive even in these bumpy conditions."

Squadron Leader Buchler is also a fan of the new jet, parts of which are still classified and Sky News was not allowed to film.

He said: "Its awesome, a boyhood dream. I've always wanted to fly the best fast jets in the world and here we are with a fantastic platform and I'm lucky enough to be one of the first guys from the UK flying it. It's better than working for a living."

The F-35B after its first landing on an Atlantic Ocean aircraft carrier

The British pilots fly two of the three UK jets so far delivered. But it will be another five years before the first squadron, based at RAF Marham, is set up on UK soil.

In the meantime 17 squadron will be the first UK unit to fly the F-35B out of Edwards Air Force base in California from next year.

The F-35 programme comprises three variants in all.

The A model is the "base" model and will be flown predominantly by the US Air Force, the B variant, which the UK is buying, will also be flown by the US Marine Corps, while the C or Carrier variant, is adapted with "cat and trap" equipment to fly on and off American aircraft carriers.

The bulk of the projected orders will come from the US - close to 2,500 planes - with the UK originally due to buy 138 in total and the other "partner" nations, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, Denmark and Norway, due to buy about 500 between them.

The projections from Lockheed Martin, the lead contractor, suggest that including sales to other "coalition" countries there will be 3,922 F-35s sold during its planned 30-year production run.

That's good news for the UK economy too, because 15% by value of each sale comes to these shores, largely through the contribution of Bae systems in Lancashire, where much of the tail of every F-35 is manufactured.

The biggest danger to the programme at the moment is the immense cost, estimated at £2.5bn so far, given that defence budgets across the world - particularly in the West - are being slashed.

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New Taskforce To Tackle Roadwork Woes

By Enda Brady, Sky Correspondent

A new taskforce has been set up to try to reduce the cost and the disruption caused by roadworks across Britain.

The latest research shows that £435m of taxpayers' money has been wasted over the past two years as a result of contractors poorly resurfacing trenches after digging up roads.

It is estimated that this amount of cash would fill in the equivalent of eight million potholes.

The taskforce - comprising councils, utility companies and business representatives - was formed after a roadworks summit called by the Local Government Association.

"Most roadworks are essential and in many cases carried out efficiently and to a good standard," said Cllr Peter Box, chairman of the LGA's Economy and Transport Board.

"However, all too often the rush to get on to the next job leaves in its wake patches of shoddy resurfacing.

Some 20% of roadworks last year were considered not up to standard

"Not only is the taxpayer left to foot the bill to do the resurfacing properly, it means needless frustration for motorists and thousands of pounds in lost trade for small businesses.

"For many years people have been complaining about these problems, but very little has changed. Hopefully now that the councils, utility companies and businesses have agreed to work together something will be done so the disruption and frustration of motorists and traders is kept to a minimum."

Last year 20% of their work was not up to standard meaning they had to be redone properly at the expense of local councils, causing more disruption and delays. This was up 3% on 2011.

Another problem is the same stretch of road being dug up by different companies in quick succession, rather than carrying out their work in the same trench.

The new taskforce will aim to use new technology to better coordinate projects and monitor the contractors' performance.

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Derby: Body Found In Chimney Of Law Firm

The body of a man, believed to be a burglar, has been found in the chimney of a law firm.

Staff at Moody & Woolley Solicitors in St Mary's Gate, Derby, called police after being alerted to the body by the smell, the Derby Telegraph reported.

Officers were sent to the building on Thursday afternoon and sealed off the area while they removed the man.

Police are treating the death as unexplained.

Staff at the firm told the local paper they noticed a gap in the wall in an unused part of the building about a month ago and thought it looked as if someone had tried to break in.

Julie Marson, senior partner at Moody & Woolley, told the Derby Telegraph it appeared to be an "awful" tragedy.

She said: "It's such a dreadful way for anybody to die, regardless of what the chap was trying to do."

A Derbyshire Police spokesman said: "Officers are working to establish the identity of the man and inform his family.

"The death is being treated as unexplained."

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Afghanistan: MoD Names Troops Killed In Blast

Three British soldiers killed after an explosion hit their armoured vehicle in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Corporal William Thomas Savage, Fusilier Samuel Flint and Private Robert Murray Hetherington died in the Helmand province blast.

Corporal Savage and Fusilier Flint were from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (2 SCOTS).

Private Hetherington served in the 51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (7 SCOTS).

All three died of injuries sustained on April 30, the MoD said. Another six soldiers were wounded when their Mastiff vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

The soldiers were riding in a heavily armoured Mastiff vehicle

They were part of a patrol travelling along Route 611 between forward operating base Ouellette and patrol base Lashkar Gah Durai, in Nahr-e-Saraj district, when the blast happened.

They were evacuated by air to the military hospital at Camp Bastion where it was confirmed that they had been killed in action.

Irvine-born Corporal Savage, 30, joined the Army shortly after the Iraq war commenced, and deployed once to Iraq and was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

A keen sportsman, he was married to wife, Lyndsey, who is expecting their first child.

His wife said in a statement: "I am completely devastated by this news but extremely proud of 'Sav' and everything that he has achieved.

A piper &officer saluted 2 Scots when they deployed (MoD/Crown Copyright)

"I have lost the love of my life and the father of our son. I know his life will live on through so many amazing memories that we shared together. He will be deeply missed amongst family, friends and the regiment."

Fusilier Flint, 21, joined the Army in November 2011 and was considered to be extremely fit and motivated.

The Blackpool-born soldier was an avid supporter of Manchester City and was a motorsport enthusiast.

He was also based in forward operating base Ouellette in the northern Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province.

The Flint-Broughton family released a statement and said: "The whole family is completely devastated. Everyone should know that Sam loved his job and made his whole family and everyone that knew him very proud.

"Sam was always the life and soul of the party, a real ladies' man, witty funny, the real cheeky chappy. He was a loving son, the protective brother, courageous nephew, the caring uncle, the loyal grandson that anyone would wish to have.

The explosion was in Helmand province near Kandahar

"We want to thank everyone for the kind tributes and strong support."

Private Hetherington, 25, was born in the US before being educated in Scotland.

He represented Scotland in lacrosse and the music-lover joined the Territorial Army in 2006 before being mobilised to join The Royal Highland Fusiliers last November.

Private Hetherington, who held a BSc in Environmental Geography, was a reservist who hoped to attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst following his debut Afghan deployment in 2013. He was expected to excel.

Lance Corporal Russ MacLean said: "Bobby was my best friend. He was the life and soul of the party and one of the kindest and friendliest people I have ever met.

"He was always at the end of the phone or across the table at a pub if you had problems you needed to talk about."

Lance Corporal Russ MacLean added: "My heart truly goes out to his family who will be as distraught as I am.

"He had a loving and caring family, along with his girlfriend Maeve, and my thoughts are completely with them. Love you mate."

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Bill Roache: Corrie Actor Charged With Rape

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has been charged with two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl.

The 81-year-old actor, who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV soap since it began in 1960, is accused of twice raping the girl in 1967.

The Crown Prosecution said it had been reviewing evidence against Roache since March 1 before coming to the decision to authorise charges.

Bill Roache with Anne Reid, who played his first wife in the ITV soap

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967."

The charges come nearly 12 hours after Roache was arrested at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and questioned by police.

ITV said Roache will not be appearing in Coronation Street "until legal proceedings are concluded".

After his Coronation Street co-star Michael Le Vell was charged with 19 child sex offences, Roache called for anonymity for those accused of such crimes because of the stigma they face even if innocent.

Police at Roache's house as he was arrested this morning

Speaking to Sky News in March, he said: "If there is to be anonymity for the accusers at this stage, then there should most certainly be anonymity for those accused, until such time as there is strong evidence to show that there was some truth to the allegations at least."

Le Vell, who will not appear as mechanic Kevin Webster while he awaits his trial, has stated publicly that he is innocent and will fight the allegations.

Roache will appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on May 14.

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Brit Explorer Dies In Trek Across Arctic

A British adventurer has died during an attempt to cross part of the Greenland ice sheet with two colleagues.

Philip Goodeve-Docker, 30, was taking part in the unsupported 400-mile trek with friends Andy Norman, 33, and expedition leader Roan Hackney.

Despite being new to the Arctic he had been 'training furiously'

The men had planned to negotiate part of the ice cap from east to west in 30 days, pulling heavy sleds known as 'pulks' containing their food, equipment and supplies.

But they got into difficulties two days and 120 miles into the trip after they were engulfed by a severe snowstorm known as a 'Piteraq' which blew away their tent.

The men radioed for help but a helicopter was unable to reach their position until the next morning. By the time it arrived, Mr Goodeve-Docker was already dead and his colleagues were suffering from frost-bite and shock.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said: "We are aware that three British nationals were in difficulty during an expedition in Greenland, and have been rescued by the authorities. 

"Sadly one of the team, Philip Goodeve-Docker, died. The other two British nationals are in hospital. We are providing consular assistance to their families at this difficult time."

An expedition website that had been set-up by the men states that Mr Goodeve-Docker was "completely new" to the Arctic, but that he had been "training furiously" for the trip.

Mr Goodeve-Docker with team members Roan Hackney and Andy Norman

Expedition leader Roan Hackney is described as an experienced adventurer, having completed several Arctic expeditions, including being part of a team that attempted the same trip two years ago.

The team are said to have been remotely supported and monitored in the UK by Paul Walker, described as a world leader in managing Greenland expeditions.

Writing on Facebook before his departure, Mr Goodeve-Docker said: "On the 19th April 2013 I will be in Greenland preparing to cross the 2nd largest icecap in world.

"For the next 30-35 days a three man team, including myself, fellow adventurer Andy Norman, and led by my polar explorer friend Roan Hackney, will attempt to cross Greenland's icesheet unsupported.

Greenland presents one of the most challenging terrains on earth

"We will travel 550-600km across one of the most dazzling, beautiful, yet barren and deadly landscapes in the world, dragging all our own supplies (between 100-135kg) on individual pulks (sleds).

"This is one of the great polar challenges, through which we face such dangers as polar bears (not cute and cuddly), crevasses up to 500+metres deep, polar winds, temperatures of 5C to -50C, plus the horror of three men with one tent & no washing."

A statement issued by Mr Goodeve-Docker's family, said: "To our son, brother and friend, we are so glad that you were on your adventure and expedition that you had wanted to do for so long. You will be unbelievably missed and your memory cherished. Xx"

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Three British Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan

Three British soldiers have been killed in a roadside bomb attack in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

The soldiers from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) whilst on a routine patrol, the Ministry of Defence said.

The attack took place on Tuesday in the Nahr-e Saraj district. The three were evacuated by air to the military hospital at Camp Bastion but could not be saved, the MoD said.

Their families have been informed.

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall says another six have been injured.

Prime Minister David Cameron says the country has paid a "very high price" for the work it is doing in Afghanistan.

The soldiers were aboard a heavily-armoured Mastiff vehicle

A spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Richard Morgan, said: "Their deaths come as a great loss to all those serving in Task Force Helmand. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to their family and friends at this difficult time."

The deaths bring the total number of British troops killed in Afghanistan to 404 in the past 12 years, with total losses at 444.

Six have now died in 2013.

A ministry spokesman said the attack "underlines the threats faced by our personnel as they continue to hand over security operations to their Afghan counterparts ahead of UK combat operations concluding by the end of next year".

"Security in Helmand, where most UK forces are based, is steadily improving with Afghan forces already responsible for the bulk of the province - but the environment in which our troops operate remains risky and dangerous, including the threat of improvised explosive devices and insurgent attack.

"We will continue to do all we can to minimise these risks but they can never be removed entirely."

The attack came on the third day of what the Taliban has called its spring offensive. In past years, spring has marked a significant upsurge in fighting between the Taliban and Nato forces with their local allies.

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Hotel Guests Found Dead In Swimming Pool

Police are investigating the deaths of a man and woman who were found under water in a hotel swimming pool.

Officers were called to Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hatfield Heath, in Essex, at about 7.35pm on Saturday.

Hotel staff and ambulance crews tried to revive the man and woman but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are investigating and are treating the deaths as unexplained.

The man who was in his 30s and the woman, who was in her 20s, are believed to be from the London area.

Police said the pair were staying at the hotel together but the nature of their relationship was still to be identified.

Chief Inspector Nick Lee said police were not currently looking for anyone else as part of their investigation.

Asked if the victims had been going to any of the functions taking place at the hotel, he said: "It's a very busy hotel, there were a number of functions going on.

"At the moment we haven't ascertained as to whether these individuals were part of any function or not."

Post-mortem examinations will be carried out on Monday, police spokesman said.

Chris Falcus, manager of the hotel, said: "We are devastated by this tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of those concerned.

"As soon as the alarm was raised, two of our team dived into the pool and did everything they could to try and save them.

"We are co-operating fully with the police investigation."

The luxury hotel's website describes it as "one of England's most established country house hotels".

It was hosting weddings, birthday parties and christenings this weekend.

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Stephen Lawrence Murder: New Police Appeal

Police are launching a fresh bid to convict all those who may have been involved in the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence.

The latest appeal comes in the wake of the 20th anniversary of the death of the 18-year-old in Eltham on April 22, 1993.

On the BBC programme Crimewatch later, Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll will run viewers through the events of the night Stephen died in a bid to jog the memory of anyone who may have seen anything suspicious.

The programme also features an interview with the teenager's mother, Doreen, who talks about why it remains so important for any outstanding witnesses to come forward.

Gary Dobson and David Norris were convicted of Stephen's murder in January 2012, but police still believe that others were involved.

They are particularly keen to speak to witnesses who they have been told were nearby at the time.

They include two men who got off a bus at a stop opposite where Stephen was attacked, another man who was walking towards the attack and anyone else in the area around the Coronet Cinema.

Stephen is thought to have been set upon by up to six white youths in an unprovoked racist attack as he waited at a bus stop at Well Hall Road.

Gary Dobson, left, and David Norris were convicted of murder last year

After an initial confrontation, he ran to Dickson Road where he was fatally stabbed. He managed to run another 130 yards before collapsing.

The suspects escaped down Dickson Road. Stephen was taken to Brook Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Police believe it is impossible that all those who saw what took place have come forward and spoken to them. As a result, they are asking people to come forward.

DCI Driscoll said: "Although two individuals are serving a life sentence in connection with this murder, we have always known there were other people involved in the attack.

"As such, this investigation remains open and my team is committed to pursuing all viable lines of inquiry available to us. It is hoped this appeal will assist with our inquiries.

"We believe there were people in the area that night who may have seen something. Not the murder itself necessarily but events or individuals leading up to the event.

"I am taking this opportunity to appeal directly to those people to come forward and speak to us.

"You may think you won't remember something from so long ago, but we would still implore you to come forward."

The teenager's death sparked a change in how race crimes are investigated

The initial investigation resulted in five suspects being arrested, but no one was convicted. In 1994, the Lawrence family took out a private prosecution, but were unsuccessful.

In 1997, at the inquest, all of the then five suspects refused to answer questions.

The same year, after extensive discussion of the case in the media, the Government instigated the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, conducted by Sir William Macpherson, which rewrote how the police investigated racially motivated crime.

A cold review in 2006 resulted in new evidence being found. As a result, in 2011, a new trial was started which led to the conviction of Dobson and Norris in 2012.

Dobson was jailed for 15 years and two months and Norris for 14 years and three months.

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