The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust is among a handful of hospitals across the country to have been awarded Exemplar status for its Radiology department.

The prestigious status, conferred by the British Society of Interventional Radiology, has been given to only nine hospitals nationwide.

These hospitals have all demonstrated a commitment to improving quality and access to Interventional Radiology. One initiative by the RD&E radiology department that caught the BSIR’s attention was the redesigned patient information leaflets. The society is suggesting...

Aussie flanker Ben White says Exeter Chiefs cannot wait to get stuck into Leicester Tigers in their latest Aviva Premiership encounter this Sunday (2pm). Buoyed by back-to-back league wins over London Wasps and London Irish, the Chiefs are now busy preparing themselves for the visit of the defending champions to Sandy Park. It's a fixture which is sure to test the credentials of the Devon club - particularly given the currently visitors sit second in the standings - but White says recent form has given him and his team-mates a real belief they can topple Richard Cockerill's men. “The...

To look at Brian Standring you would think he’s like any other regular grandfather; someone who likes doing crosswords, enjoying peaceful walks in the countryside. That’s until you hear how he’s just celebrated his 75th birthday!

Brian from Hemyock, wanted to go a step further than the marathons he’d ran and fundraising events he’d organised in the past, and he did this by throwing himself from the fastest jump-plane in the UK, from an altitude of nearly three miles high! What’s more, Brian did his ‘birthday skydive’ to raise money for eight charities, including Hemyock pre-school...

Police in Exmouth are appealing for information following incidents involving female students being approached by a suspicious man. Both incidents took place on Wednesday 25 September between 8am and 8.15am while they were walking to College. The first incident occurred at around 8am in an alleyway near to Scott Drive when two girls were approached by a man who made comments to them before walking away. A short time later at around 8.15am another female student was walking in Green Close near the entrance to Phear Park when she was approached by a man driving a white van who made comments...

UK retailers have withdrawn controversial costumes from sale following criticism on social media.

The costumes attracted a number of complaints for being insensitive to people with mental health problems.

Asda, owned by US company Walmart, received the bulk of the criticism - via the social media site Twitter - over its sale of a ‘mental patient costume’.

Among the critics was ex-footballer Stan Collymore, who has suffered from depression. He criticised Asda for stereotyping the condition.

He Tweeted: "Do you actually realise how many people are hanging...

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, has pledged to take action to support the 800,000 people living with dementia across the UK. Neil Parish joined 200 other MPs and representatives from Alzheimer’s Society in Portcullis House, Westminster on Tuesday 10th September to provide a handwritten statement of the action they will take to support people with dementia and their carers. Neil Parish pledged to help tackle the stigma attached to dementia and raise awareness to improve diagnosis rates in their constituency. Neil Parish said: “Devon is a beautiful county and many elderly people...

The local Fire and Rescue Service has thanked the public of Devon and Somerset for taking extra care during the industrial action on Wednesday (25 September 2013).

Between the strike hours of 12 noon and 4pm, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received four calls to automatic fire alarms - none of which involved a fire - and attended one.

The Service also attended a medical emergency which was dealt with in the normal way as the local crew were working.

Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: “We are very grateful to the public for taking extra care during this...

Chris Sunderland, Director of the Bristol Pound project, will be explaining the value of a local currency for local businesses at a public meeting in St Stephen’s Church in Exeter High Street, Thursday evening 26 September (6.45pm arrival for 7pm start).

The Bristol Pound project was launched last year as a paper currency with internet banking facilities. Supported by Bristol City Council and the Mayor George Ferguson, it helps people support their local firms and shops and keeps purchasing power in the local economy. Users can also make mobile phone payments in Bristol Pounds....

Leading legal firm Stephens Scown LLP continues to lead the field in Devon and Cornwall with the announcement of independent guide Legal 500 rankings for 2013.

The firm’s family law team has retained its number one position for the 6th year, making them the best in the region. The newly announced guide to the legal profession singles out Stephens Scown’s team for its childcare work: “with a primary focus on the child being evident”, recommending Michael Lowry and Jo Stone, with Liz Allen singled out as a “leading individual”.

Also achieving the highest ranking, compared to...