'I've been hit, spat on and bitten by pupils'
Violence against teachers is rising, school leaders say, as figures show a doubling of incidents. Source link
'I now have hope': Young advisers shape the NHS
More young people are using their lived experience to directly influence NHS services. Source link
Plans to widen scheme helping refugees in UK
A North Devon group has been helping refugee families settle and integrate into UK life. Source link
New campaign targets rising ketamine abuse
Anna VarleSouth West home affairs correspondentBBCLiv is speaking out as part of the 'Forget The Ket' campaign"I had no tether on reality because I was so often living in psychedelic K-holes."Liv, from Bridport, Dorset, is now in recovery and is speaking out as part of the 'Forget The Ket' campaign which aims to raise awareness of the dangers associated with ketamine use and help young adults get the support they need.Nationally there has been an eight-fold increase in…
Devon and Cornwall Police make Christmas 999 call plea
Anna VarleHome and social affairs correspondentBBCDevon and Cornwall Police is urging the public to only call 999 in a genuine emergency during the Christmas periodDevon and Cornwall Police is urging the public to only call 999 in a genuine emergency during the Christmas period.The force receives an average of 1,000 emergency calls and 2,000 101 calls a day over the festive period, which is one of the busiest times of year, the police said.Examples of inappropriate calls police…
More than 100 arrests in county lines operation across South West
Anna VarleSouth West home and social affairs correspondentBBCMore than 100 arrests were made across the South West in a week of police action against drugs and child exploitationPolice have seized guns and arrested more than 100 people across the south west of England in a week of police action against drugs and child exploitation.Operation Scorpion targets gangs who use young people to traffic drugs into the region from major cities. Police said 122 people were arrested across the…
‘App is helping my son face his fear of the dark’, says Devon mum
BBCGabi's son uses an NHS approved game which is designed to tackle childhood anxietyA mum says her son is learning to cope with anxieties including a fear of the dark with the help of a new NHS app.Gabi, from Exeter, said her seven-year-old son has complex needs, including autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), which mean he suffers from anxieties such as sleeping in the dark.But since he started using an NHS-approved game designed to tackle childhood…
Fears online GP appointment changes could add ‘pressure’ to staff
Anna VarleSouth West andGeorge ThorpeSouth WestBBCDr Elpitha Bruce believed striking a balance between the needs of patients and staff was importantDoctors and patients have raised concerns about all GP practices in England being made to offer online booking systems.As part of the move which was ordered by the government and started on Wednesday, surgeries will have to provide the service from 08:00 to 18:30 Monday to Friday.GPs in Devon and Cornwall said the system could put extra pressure…