7 March 2013 Last updated at 11:51 ET

Solihull Hospital breast cancer patients review meeting

Ian Paterson has been suspended by the General Medical Council

Breast cancer patients treated at a West Midlands hospital are to meet the chair of an independent review of the hospital's breast care services.

Lawyer Sir Ian Kennedy wants to speak to patients treated by surgeon Ian Paterson at Solihull Hospital.

Mr Paterson is the subject of a police investigation into alleged botched or unnecessary breast cancer operations at West Midlands hospitals.

Sir Ian has invited affected patients to a meeting in Solihull next week.

'Cleavage-sparing'

Concerns about Mr Paterson were initially raised in December 2011.

Since then the care plans of all patients thought to have been affected have been reviewed.

It is alleged he carried out the botched or unnecessary operations between 1994 and 2011, some of which were found to breach guidelines.

Sir Ian Kennedy will meet breast cancer patients in Solihull on Wednesday

The General Medical Council (GMC) has accused Mr Paterson of performing "cleavage-sparing" mastectomies at Solihull Hospital and two private hospitals owned by Spire Healthcare in Solihull and Little Aston, Staffordshire.

He has been suspended by the GMC and was stopped from performing surgery by the Heart of England NHS Trust, which runs Solihull Hospital, in 2007.

Up to 400 women are suing the trust and Spire Healthcare.

West Midlands Police confirmed that its investigation was ongoing.

The open meeting with Sir Ian will be held at St John's Hotel in Warwick Road, Solihull, on 13 March.

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BBC Local Live

1800: Stephanie Barnard BBC Local Live

I'll be back from 08:00 on Tuesday with more news and sport headlines.

For the latest, listen to BBC WM on the hour and watch BBC One for Midlands Today updates at 18:30 and 22:25.
'Say something' campaign 1751: Ben Godfrey BBC Midlands Today

Recent high profile court cases have highlighted the difficulty police forces have in detecting human trafficking and child exploitation, in particular. There's a recognition that these crimes are being under-reported so a new campaign - targeting hotel workers - is a real shift in "eyes and ears" policing.

I've been speaking to West Midlands Police's lead detective for human trafficking and hearing the mixed response from the hotel trade.

I'll have more at 18:30 on BBC One on Midlands Today.
Weather 1743:

Any lingering thundery showers will gradually die out overnight, then cloud will thicken to leave a cloudy but mild night across the region. Some drizzly outbreaks. Minimum temperature of 9C (48 F).

Tomorrow, a cloudy start with some patchy rain in places but later it will gradually turn drier and brighter through the day.
HS2 Legal Bid 1728:

A campaign group say they are looking at "suing the government" over plans to create a high-speed rail line through the Midlands.

Rolf Pearce, from campaign group Staffs Against HS2, says: "We are looking at the moment at getting some serious barristers together to look at the possibility of doing an American-style class action with a large number of people suing the government as a group."
Disabled girl praises school 1717:

A teenager who lost both her legs and an arm in a fire says her school is helping her recover.

Streetly Academy in Walsall says it works hard to integrate disabled pupils into mainstream education.

The academy has now won two major awards for its work. Midlands Today's Bob Hockenhull will be reporting on 16-year-old Josefina Vilela's progress on BBC One from 18:30.
coming up 1707: Mary Rhodes Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

Nick is off sick tonight so it will be me and David Gregory-Kumar.

On the programme tonight we meet the teenager from Walsall who lost both her legs and an arm in a house fire and the award winning school that's helped rebuild her life. And the comeback to end all comebacks, West Brom's 10-goal thriller against champions Manchester United.

Watch BBC One from 18:30 to see the latest news from across the Midlands.
Birmingham dogs home 1657:

Read more on BBC News about Birmingham Dogs Home which is planning to move out of Digbeth and relocate to a new £5m centre on land off Catherine-de-Barnes Lane, in Solihull.

If the new centre's plans are approved it will home about 150 lost and abandoned dogs at a time.
tour postponed 1649:

Band Maroon 5 postpone their UK arena tour this summer due to "unforeseen scheduling conflicts".

The band were due to kick off in Birmingham on 22 June, however it has now been rescheduled for January 2014.
Drugs gang jailed 1634:

Read more on the West Midlands Police website about three men from Birmingham who were part of a gang importing cocaine into the UK from The Netherlands.

Det Ch Insp Shaun Edwards says the find was "one of the biggest drugs hauls across the force in recent years".
coming up 1624: Chris Blakemore News editor, BBC WM

On Drive with Paul Franks on BBC WM we'll be speaking to West Midlands Police about one of the biggest ever drugs hauls in the area.

And Paul will be chatting to Sir Bruce Forsyth ahead of his appearance at Birmingham's Symphony Hall next week. Listen live to the show online.
Drugs gang jailed 1614:

Clayton Stephenson, 27, from Ward End, Damion Mahoney, 27, from Nechells and 29-year-old Leon Barnes from Northfield have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supplying cocaine, worth £1.6m.

They were part of a gang of nine men jailed for their part in the drug supply ring.

The gang was arrested after police seized a lorry filled with cocaine in June 2012.
'Say something' campaign 1551:

The Birmingham Violence Against Women Board say free training is being offered at The Hyatt Hotel today to hotel staff from across the city, teaching them how to spot child trafficking.
HS2 Legal Bid 1526:

Campaigners against the HS2 high-speed rail line are getting legal advice over taking the government to court en masse.

The action comes as a consultation into the compensation scheme ends for the line that would link the Midlands with London and the North of England.
your views 1508:

We've introduced BBC Local Live to bring you news, sport, travel and weather updates in one place. Let us know what you think.
Drugs gang jailed 1453:

Three Birmingham men have been jailed for their part in a £1.6m drugs operation in the West Midlands, BBC WM reports.

The gang imported cocaine into the UK on eight separate occasions from The Netherlands.
1444:

Neighbourhood policing team for Washwood Heath tweet: Officer are out with vosa revenue and customers, DVLA and City council licensing completing an operation in Alum Rock #opintrusive
Airport plan 1430:

Birmingham Airport submits a report to the Airports Commission saying minor infrastructure improvements would enable it to handle more flights, the Birmingham Mail reports.

The Commission is looking at how to increase the UK's aviation capacity.

Birmingham Airport says boosting the number of flights it handles could potentially create 20,000 jobs in the region.
'Say something' campaign 1412:

Hotel workers in the West Midlands are to be offered training by the police to identify potential child traffickers, BBC Midlands Today reports.

Recent high profile court cases have shown that hotels and guest houses are increasingly being used by people involved in sexual exploitation.

As part of the Say Something if You See Something campaign, staff will be told the signs to look out for when dealing with customers.
Odemwingie future 1403:

Hull City are prepared to pay £3m for 31-year-old West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie. Read more on the BBC Sport Gossip page.
"welfare ghetto" report 1352:

The think tank, The Centre for Social Justice, publishes a report looking at "welfare ghettos". It says some parts of Birmingham are among the worst affected areas.
Birmingham dogs home 1330:

Birmingham Dogs Home has been established in the city since 1892, opening its first base in New Street Canal.

The charity says it hopes to move to new premises if planning permission is granted to provide more space to exercise the dogs. Read more on its website about the work the charity does.
Brandwood wheelie bins 1319:

Birmingham City Council says it will start delivering wheelie bins to the Brandwood area as part of its pilot scheme next week.

Information about the collections and changes is being delivered to local residents.
Coming up 1304: Katie Rowlett Presenter, Midlands Today

Campaigners against high-speed rail say they are planning legal action to delay or halt the HS2 project. And we'll have more on the 10-goal thriller at the Hawthorns, as West Brom drew 5-5 with Manchester United.

Watch BBC One from 13:30.
have your say 1250:

We've introduced BBC Local Live to bring you news, sport, travel and weather updates in one place. Let us know what you think.
online pornography 1240: Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter

Young children should hear about the dangers of pornography as soon as they have access to the internet, leading head teachers say.

The ready availability of explicit material online has prompted serious concerns from the National Association of Head Teachers, as the annual conference in Birmingham is held.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 1229:

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens to the public tomorrow until 25 May.

One of the local exhibitors is Birmingham City Council which is unveiling a garden called "Enlightenment", featuring the Library of Birmingham which is due to open in September.
West Brom reprint programme 1213:

West Bromwich Albion say they will run a reprint of the running a reprint of the special edition match day programme for the club's game with Manchester United after it sold out ahead of the 5-5 draw.

Many fans were eager to buy a souvenir ahead of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's final match and there were long queues at programme stalls outside the ground.

Fans who were unable to buy a programme on the day are being urged by the club not to buy from unofficial sellers.
Birmingham dogs home 1156:

This morning BBC reporter Michelle Dawes has been at Birmingham Dogs Home which has submitted plans to move to Solihull from its premises in Digbeth because it has ran out of space.

The charity, which was founded in 1892, opened its premises on New Bartholomew Street in 1987.

General manager Simon Price says: "We don't really want to leave this site but we can't find what we need in this location. We've looked."
Speedway 1140: Nick Clitheroe Sports editor, BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today at 18:30 we meet the hottest prospect in world speedway - Wolverhampton's Tai Woffinden.

He became the first British rider for six years to win a Grand Prix when he triumphed in Prague on Saturday and is currently second in the world championship standings.

Woffinden will spend next week cycling to the Grand Prix in Cardiff to raise money for Cancer Research in memory of his father Rob. Watch BBC One from 18:30 for the full report.
1113:

Bus passengers in the Black Country know where "they'm a-gooin" now as announcements on local journeys are being delivered in an authentic local accent.

Read more and watch a video on the Express and Star website.
your photos 1107: Stephanie Barnard BBC Local Live

BBC journalist Kathryn Hamlett snapped these white and pink bluebells while out walking this morning.

What did you get up to at the weekend? Send us your photos - you can email, tweet or Facebook your comments and photographs to us.
1049:

A man is charged over an attack in Wolverhampton city centre which left a man critically ill on Friday.
1044: Rebecca Wood BBC Weather

The cloud about this morning will break to leave some spells of sunshine. But through the afternoon we could see some sharp showers developing with hail and the odd rumble of thunder possible. Feeling warm with a top temperature of 22C.
in the newsroom 1036: Robert Thompson Editor, Midlands Today

Busy morning here at BBC Midlands Today. Monday means we're chasing a few stories from a standing start and you're never too sure at this early stage if they're going to make for the programme later.

We're taking a look at HS2 compensation payments today and we're in the Birmingham school that's won a teaching award for its work with disabled children and children with special needs.

We've also sent Sarah Falkland down to the Chelsea Flower Show to report on the region's gardens being represented there. You can watch the programme on BBC One from 13:00 and 18:00 today.
Birmingham dogs home 1017: Michelle Dawes Journalist, BBC WM

After more than a century at New Bartholomew Street in Digbeth, Birmingham Dogs Home is moving to a new £5m site in Solihull.

Simon Price, general manager, says the home needed more space for stray dogs as well as more exercise space for the animals.

He says: "The dogs will have a better quality of life, more exercise and hopefully the public will have a better experience."
1007:

Wolverhampton Police write on Facebook: "Morning all, we've had a busy night. 15 men and 1 woman in our cells at the mo. Suspected offences include assault, burglary & shoplifting.

"If you're on a night out, walk away from confrontation. It's not worth the prison sentence."
red wine award 0953:

A wine produced in South Staffordshire has won an award at one of the world's leading wine competitions.

The 2011 "Rondo", produced by the Halfpenny Green Vineyard near Stourbridge, received a silver medal in this year's Decanter World Wine Awards.
school applications 0935:

In Wolverhampton parents have launched a campaign group calling for more checks aimed at catching people lying on school applications.

One parent, Andrea Morgan, says they're angry with some people pretending they live in Essington so their children can get into the local primary school.

She says: "They get a fine at the minute but that doesn't seem to be helping. They can still put a false address down and still be able to get to that school. A fine is nothing these days."
on air 0921: Adrian Goldberg Presenter, BBC WM

Is the government out of touch over gay marriage? Backbench MPs are rebelling over proposed changes in the law.

Some Conservatives argue there's no public appetite for it anyway. So is the government out of touch on gay marriage? Give me a call 08453 009956. Listen live to the programme.
John Lewis 0911:

John Lewis announces Kim Lowe as the manager of its new flagship Birmingham store. Read more on the Birmingham Mail website.
police webchat 0857:

Birmingham East Police tweets: Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thompson will be taking your questions during a LIVE webchat today between 1pm -3pm:
West Brom 5-5 Man Utd 0838:

Sir Alex Ferguson was denied victory in his 1,500th and final game in charge of Manchester United as Romelu Lukaku's hat-trick earned West Brom a 5-5 draw.

West Brom manager Steve Clarke says: "It was a great occasion. That game will be remembered for a long time."

Did you go to the game? Were you impressed by the end of season performance? Send us your comments on email and Twitter.
school applications 0828:

More parents across the West Midlands are being investigated for lying on applications to get their children into a better school, according to local authorities.

A number of councils in Birmingham and the Black Country tell BBC WM they're investigating more applications because parents have given fraudulent details, such as the wrong address or postcode.
0816: Mel Coles BBC Weather

The week will start off on a dull and cloudy note but the grey cloud will gradually break up to leave some warm, sunny spells.

During this afternoon though showers will develop and some could be heavy and thundery at times. Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 21C (70F).
As it happened
- News, sport, travel, weather from Mon 20 May
- More updates from 08:00 on Tuesday
- Listen to BBC WM watch Midlands Today
Hs2 0807:

Today is the final chance for people affected by the second phase of HS2 to have their say on its compensation scheme.

The Exceptional Hardship Scheme offers eligible homeowners the chance to sell properties at market value. It's open to people living on the line heading north out of Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.
0800: Stephanie Barnard BBC Local Live

Welcome to a brand new week. I'll be bringing you the latest from the BBC WM newsroom today.

BBC Local Live will be sharing the top news and sport headlines with you, as well as up to date traffic and weather updates.

If you want to comment on any of the stories today, you can email, tweet or get in touch via Facebook.