Local News

The Donkey Sanctuary has donated personal protection equipment (PPE) to local NHS teams and social care providers in the South West, to help them deal with the coronavirus outbreak

In line with government guidelines, the charity asked its non-donkey-facing staff to work from home, as a result of less people on its sites, the organisation had spare PPE that they have donated to NHS workers and local organisations and groups providing community health care.

The vet team at the international animal welfare charity based in Sidmouth, Devon have also worked closely with The...

Living Coasts, in Torquay, famous for its penguins, has helped inspire a novelist to write a book featuring penguins – published by Penguin.

The novel, by Exmoor-based writer Hazel Prior, is called Away With The Penguins. Living Coasts' Senior Keeper, Jason Keller, helped Hazel with her research into hand-rearing baby penguins.

Away With The Penguins has been described as a life-affirming adventure featuring a cranky older lady and a lot of very engaging penguins. Living Coasts spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “We’re used to people carrying out research here – but it’s...

Exeter based, independent veterinary practice CityVets, are reassuring all pet owners that they are open for emergencies, patients requiring urgent treatment, medication and pet food throughout the pandemic, come what may.

CityVets has four practices in Exeter, however, at this time two of the branches - the Alphington and Whipton practices have been temporarily closed. The Heavitree Veterinary Hospital and the St Thomas (101 Buddle Lane) branch remain open for phone advice, enquiries and emergency appointments and treatment.

Veterinary practices are classified as...

Across the UK, Marie Curie is gearing up to care for hundreds of additional dying patients requiring end of life care, in order to relieve the unprecedented pressure on the NHS during the Coronavirus crisis. With the number of cases rapidly increasing in the South West, local Marie Curie Nursing teams are working harder than ever.

Given the choice, people overwhelmingly say they would prefer to die in their own home, or in a hospice, rather than a hospital. End of life patients who do not want to be in hospital need to be moved to a more appropriate setting, as beds in critical...