Latest news with #Exeter
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
NHS Devon scraps changes to cardiac care after objections
Planned trial changes to overnight heart attack services in south Devon have been Devon said it would not be going ahead with the proposals to drive out-of-hours heart attack patients to hospital in Exeter rather than Torbay to help cut costs and divert resources to cut treatment backlogs, said the Local Democracy Reporting signed a petition against the plan and two MPs said in the Commons the move could have endangered people. The service withdrew the plans in May to consider feedback and it now said it would develop a broader cardiology strategy for the region to be revealed next month. It said the strategy would be guided by clinical data and public feedback."Rather than only focusing on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, the scope will be expanded to include prevention such as cardiovascular disease, urgent and emergency care and elective care," it said."The priority remains the commissioning of safe, reliable and sustainable cardiology services that meet the needs of Devon's population now and in the future." Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, said the U-turn was "very good news" and showed people "won't stand by when vital services are at risk"."It's not a definitive victory but it feels like a step in the right direction, now it all depends on where this journey ends," he said."By campaigning we have achieved the outcomes that many people wanted, and we can have higher levels of confidence that we know where we are heading."
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Environment Canada explains timing of Essex tornado alert, as experts weigh in
A storm prompted a tornado warning on June 5 at 12:32 a.m., which many residents say came after the worst of the weather had passed. Following concerns from Essex residents about the timing of a tornado warning earlier this month, Environment Canada is explaining the science behind how and when such alerts are issued. It comes as the Town of Essex formally moves forward with a request for answers, approving a motion this week to ask Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to clarify how its alerts are triggered and whether southern Essex County has adequate radar coverage. The June 5 storm prompted a tornado warning at 12:32 a.m., which many residents say came after the worst of the weather had passed. According to ECCC, that alert followed a severe thunderstorm warning issued at 12:03 a.m., when the storm was over Harrow and tracking northeast. 'Tornado Warnings are issued by ECCC when there is evidence that a tornado has developed or may form imminently,' said spokesperson Hannah Boonstra in a statement to CTV News. She said meteorologists 'always strive to provide the best lead-time possible with all warnings and use all available observation data to inform their decisions.' Boonstra explained that Essex County is primarily covered by radar in Exeter, Ontario, with additional data used from neighbouring U.S. radar systems to help forecasters monitor developing storms. 'ECCC is continually enhancing its weather services,' she added, 'taking full advantage of the latest technology to upgrade the tools used to predict and relay information about the weather to Canadians.' Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy says the storm and the delayed alert have reinforced the need for timely communication in the region. 'We know Windsor-Essex County; we're surrounded by water. We're surrounded by the Great Lakes, the river,' said Bondy. 'We know that there's storms here that can be quite volatile, and we need accurate information.' She says she's hopeful the town's outreach will lead to more than just a written response. 'Maybe there's a relationship where in Essex we offer some municipal property for them to use to put more infrastructure,' said Bondy. 'One of the hardest things' to forecast CTV News also spoke with David Sills, director of Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project, who said tornado warnings are notoriously difficult to issue with precision. 'Tornadoes are very difficult to warn for,' he said. 'Every second counts when it comes to tornado warnings.' Sills said his team evaluates the performance of Environment Canada's warnings each year, and while they've improved slightly, there's still room to grow. 'They've been improving the last few times we've done the report card,' he said. 'But, you know, there's a lot of work left to do.' He noted that the target lead time for a tornado warning is only about ten minutes — making fast, accurate alerts a constant challenge for forecasters. 'It's really one of the hardest things as a forecaster, dealing with tornadoes and tornado warnings,' he said. Tornado risk remains high in Ontario In 2024, Ontario led the country in tornado activity, with 60 tornadoes confirmed across the province, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project. Among them was Canada's first tornado of the year — an EF0 landspout that touched down in Malden Centre, right in Essex County, on March 16, 2024. It tied a record for Ontario's earliest confirmed tornado on record. The rising number of verified tornadoes in recent years is due in part to improved radar coverage and enhanced investigations by the Northern Tornadoes Project, which uses satellite imagery, drone surveys and ground reports to confirm and classify events. While most tornadoes are weak and short-lived, Bondy says they still present serious risk and require timely communication tools. 'We haven't yet heard back [from Environment Canada], but I've heard back from residents that they need to do more,' she said. 'We need to have a good working relationship with Environment Canada so that we can trust and rely.'
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kieran Wilson hoping to make pre-season impression with Exeter City
TEENAGE prospect Kieran Wilson is hoping to make an impression in pre-season after signing his first professional contract with Exeter City. The 18-year-old arrived at Exeter from Scottish side Airdrieonians on the recommendation of former City striker Alan Gow, who was in charge of the Diamonds' youth set-up. Advertisement Wilson spent some time on loan at Plymouth Parkway last season, managed by Grecians Academy coach Chris McPhee, scoring in their 3-1 Southern League Premier Division win over eventual champions Merthyr Town. READ MORE: Finley Craske and Lirak Hasani turn down Torquay United deals READ MORE: Noisiest protest in Torquay town centre for years unfolds Now, after spending the summer back home in Scotland, the quick, powerful, 6ft 4in frontman is due to return to pre-season training with the rest of the Grecians squad today and is keen to hit the ground running and catch the eye of manager Gary Caldwell. Advertisement 'Gary pulled me in one day and said that, over the next six months, it is not about whether I become a good striker or not, it's about behaviours on and off the pitch,' Wilson said. 'Obviously, I'll be focusing on that and I'll also be focusing on becoming a good striker and try and get some first team minutes this season. 'I am buzzing and I am just going to hit the ground running and try and get a chance in pre-season to prove myself and show what I can do. I just want to play as much minutes as I can. That's totally up to the Gaffer, but that's my goal for pre-season – get my opportunities and play as many minutes as I can.' Kieran Wilson of Exeter City during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK Wilson was one of the youngsters that caught the eye in pre-season last summer and he marked it by scoring the third and final goal in a 3-1 win at national League aside Yeovil Town. Wilson then went on to make his senior debut for City in September 2024, coming off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s in the EFL Trophy. Advertisement Although he arrived in Devon at the age of 16 as a winger, moving down from Scotland and being placed in digs by the Grecians, Wilson has been transformed into a central striker, which is where he played most of his football for the Under-18s, before that loan spell with Parkway. 'He's massive, he's around 6 foot 4!'2 Academy director Arran Pugh said of Wilson. 'He's really quick, one of the quickest we've had come through the academy in his testing. 'He's developed before coming to the academy and during his time here as a winger, we see his potential more as a central forward, as a number nine. For the last couple of months he's been really trying to hone his understanding and skills as a central forward. 'He's scored some really good goals and been a real threat during that time.' Goal celebrations for Kieran Wilson of Exeter City during the Pre Season Friendly match between Yeovil Town and Exeter City at Huish Park on 19 July, 2024 in Yeovil, England (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK) After leaving home at 16 and working hard in the Academy to earn his first professional contract, Wilson is under no illusions as to what comes next at St James Park. 'The hard work starts now,' he said. Advertisement 'It's a very proud moment for me and my family as well. Obviously I moved down here and that's what I've been working towards for these last couple of years so I'm very proud to finally become a professional football player. 'The hard work starts now and I want to achieve a lot more in my time here. 'It was nice to go home and chill, see my mates and my family because I don't get to see them often, but the hard work starts now.' On his background and how he ended up at Exeter, Wilson said: 'I played for a few clubs in Scotland – Rangers, Hearts, St Johnstone, Livingston – and I then signed with an agent, Alan Gow, who got me down here and said it was a really good environment down here. Advertisement 'Alan used to play for the club and he said he loved it when he was here and he reassured me that the club was brilliant, there were good people here, good staff and made it clear to me how much he enjoyed his time here. 'It's good to have someone that used to be in my position so if ever I have any questions or anything, I can just go and ask him and he can give me advice and talk me through it.' A SPECIAL memorial football tournament will take place this month in honour of 13-year-old Delvin Musakwa, a talented young footballer whose tragic death in the Exeter canal has deeply impacted the local football community. The Delvin Memorial Cup 2025 will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at Exeter City Football Club's Cliff Hill Training Ground, featuring a three-way tournament between Exeter Regional Talent Centre, Exeter City FC Academy, and Delvin's own club, Heavitree Youth FC.
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Hawker steps down as Exeter City board chairman
Exeter City club board chairman Nick Hawker is to step down from his who is chair of Exeter City Supporters' Trust - which owns the club - had been on the board for eight leaving the club is chief executive Joe Gorman, who first joined City as chief financial officer in 2023 before being promoted in September last year. Clive Harrison will chair the club's board of directors on a interim basis."It has been an honour to guide the club over the last eight years," Hawker said."During this time, we have seen the club promoted to League One, built a £3m training facility, and purchased the training ground and properties surrounding St James Park. "These milestones have been achieved through extraordinary teamwork and the backing of our fantastic supporters. I am truly grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of this remarkable club."
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Exeter City sign defender Woodhouse
Exeter City have signed former Wycombe Wanderers defender Luca Woodhouse on a two-year 20-year-old was a free agent after leaving the Chairboys this summer and Exeter have an option to extend Woodhouse's deal by a further 12 months. Woodhouse can play as a left-sided central defender or in the middle of the back three, but is also able to play at left-back and central spent last season on loan at National League sides Aldershot Town and Dagenham and Redbridge and played twice in the EFL Trophy for Wycombe."He is a young player with a bright future," Exeter boss Gary Caldwell told the club website."Left-footed centre-backs are hard to find and Luca comes with League One experience, having come from Wycombe, and experience of playing games at National League level."We believe he can make the step up and contribute. It's a big step and we've had it with Millenic Alli and Vincent Harper in recent years – he is somebody we believe that over time will become a big player for the club."
