Dorchester

Unemployment in the South West has continued to fall to a low of less than 2.5%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The latest 2.4% figure of people aged 16-64 unemployed between May and July 2019 is lower than the UK-wide figure of just under 3.8%.

The official figures also showed earnings nationally grew at an annual pace of 3.8%.

The ONS said rising employment was being driven mainly by more women in work, partly due to the rise in the state pension age.

BBC

Google

Dorset County Hospital is £2m short of its target to make £7m "efficiency" cuts by next April, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has said.

A meeting of governors was told the hospital's finances were £400,000 better off than planned, partly due to a government award that arrived to late to be included in last year's figures.

But finance director Paul Goddard said there was concern about an ongoing overspend on agency staff - currently costing £500,000 a month.

Trust chief executive Patricia Miller said the hospital had recruited between 15 and 20 non-EU staff during the financial year to try and tackle staff shortages, covering the initial cost of their accommodation and arranging visas and transport.

In the South West, Oliver and Olivia have been revealed as the most popular baby names.

The figures are from 2018 and some believe the show Peaky Blinders has been an inspiration behind many of the choices.

BBC

BBC

There’s a warning that GPs and patients in the South West need to be more aware of the early symptoms of Lyme disease

The illness is spread by ticks bites (pictured) and is particularly prevalent in the region.

Doctors said early treatment with antibiotics was very effective, and could prevent serious long-term complications.

However, some people can continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that "can last for years", the NHS says.

BBC

BBC

South West Water is facing significant challenges with climate change and the increasing demand for supply, bosses say.

Thousands of new homes are being built in the South West every year, while the population expands over the summer with tourists.

According to the company's head of water resources, Rob Scarrott, the "very high demands" over the summer grows by as much as 30%.

Wimbleball Reservoir on Exmoor is refilled in the winter months by pumping water from downstream to ensure it's full for the summer.

Mr Scarrot said that climate change and population growth would affect water supplies in the coming decades.

"The environment is going to look quite different that what we have today, and we need to plan for that," he said.

However, he added that the company planned 25 years in advance and was "confident" that it had the plans in place for this period.

South West Water provides water and sewerage services to Devon and Cornwall, plus small parts of Dorset and Somerset.

BBC

A medical bike with life-saving equipment will not be withdrawn from service in Weymouth but its future is under review.

There had been some speculation on social media that the rapid response bike would be "pulled".

But South Western Ambulance Service Trust said it was still being used on an "ad-hoc" basis because only one paramedic is trained to use it.

A petition to save the facility had attracted more than 2,000 signatures.

PA Media

He is not just a pretty face - Dippy the dinosaur has been a money-spinner on its UK tour.

The 26-metre-long dinosaur skeleton cast, which was on show at the Natural History Museum for almost 40 years, is travelling around the country.

And a report demonstrates the extent of Dippy's money-making powers.

Dippy kicked off its tour last year at the Dorset County Museum.

According to the National Museums Partnership Report, the local area "benefited from £2.2m of visitor spend as a result of Dippy on Tour".

And the museum saw an almost tenfold boost in its income, up from £38,293 to £372,013, its own report shows.

Shop spend, where knitted dinosaurs and dinosaur Monopoly were on sale, enjoyed an even bigger year-on-year increase, from £9,531 to £188,152.

Dippy is on a two-year tour of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and five regions across England.

The National Museums Partnership Report says UK museums loaned nearly 450,000 objects across the globe last year.

Nearly 70,000 objects from UK national collections were on display in cultural venues around the world in 2018.

The report, published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, comes as UK museums face increasing demands for objects to be returned to their original countries.

Arts minister Rebecca Pow said: "I'm delighted to see that by loaning objects to local, regional and international galleries, last year more than 33 million extra people got to enjoy and engage with treasures from our national collection. It's UK soft power at its best, and benefits all those involved in these innovative partnerships."

There is a suspected track defect between Weymouth and Dorchester South.

This means that until Network Rail have inspected the track no trains are able to run.

Dorset heath trusts are having to find millions of pounds after abandoning a commercial investment project.

The project involved the redevelopment of a non-clinical part of Dorset County Hospital to bring in an expected £4m this year.

A spokeswoman for the hospital in Dorchester said: "Plans have since moved on and additional NHS financial guidance for 2019/20 means there would be no benefit in pursuing these."

The hospital has not revealed any details about the investment.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), funding was due to be split between the county's four NHS trusts.

Google

Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust has been rated "outstanding" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

It comes four years after the trust - which provides community health services - was criticised for significant failings and told it needed improvement.

CQC deputy chief inspector of hospitals Dr Paul Lelliott said the trust had developed "a culture of continuous improvement".

BBC

Organisations do not provide outstanding care – people do. Therefore, this rating reflects our collective effort and determination to deliver the very best outcomes and experiences for our patients, their families and friends.

Aside from the odd shower, it should be a largely fine day with plenty of sunshine and blue skies developing.

Fairly breezy at times. Highs of 22C.

Technological solutions are being considered to help prevent Dorset Council from overspending on adult social care.

The service is currently projected to be £2.4m over budget by the end of the financial year.

Councillor Laura Miller told Tuesday’s cabinet meeting that work was being carried out to help older people stay in their homes for longer, reducing the need for residential care and hospital admissions.

She said she was excited by the prospect of assistive technology being fitted in homes and on individuals, including the use of sensors, GPS trackers and voice activation software.

Sunny spells this morning but also there is a risk of a few showers.

Through the afternoon, more widespread and heavier showers will spread in from the south-west, potentially thundery.

Maximum Temperature: 21 to 24C.

Children's laughter has been ringing around Dorchester's Brewery Square where the fountains are clearly a source of great fun.

BBC

BBC

BBC

BBC

The fountain in Dorchester's Borough Gardens is proving a popular place to cool off for children enjoying the sunshine.

BBC

BBC

BBC

Three cars were damaged in a layby on Monday in Saint Leonards.

Dorset Police say the vehicles were targeted at about 16:00 BST in a layby near All Saints Parish Church on Ringwood Road.

A silver Ford Mondeo, silver Citreon C4 and blue VW Golf were targeted, and police said: "The damage caused to all vehicles has had a significant impact on the owners as their cars have been considered a write-off."

Dash cam footage of a suspect has been released.