The organisation responsible for buying most healthcare services in Devon has been shortlisted for an award following its efforts to help reduce inappropriate attendances at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) research project aimed at understanding how urgent care services were being used in Devon has been shortlisted for a national Chartered Institute of Public Relations campaign award.

The CCG will find out if it has won the award at an event on 22 November.

The campaign was run by the CCG...

NFU president Peter Kendall has written to members as a pilot badger cull began today.

Supporters say the cull is necessary to tackle bovine TB, which can be spread from infected badgers, but opponents say it is inhumane and ineffective.

Yesterday about 100 protesters wearing badger masks held a candlelit vigil in Minehead.

In his letter, Mr Kendall said: "I am writing to let you know that the first pilot badger control operations have begun. This is an important step not just for cattle farmers but for the whole farming industry.

"I know that many of you...

The South West tourism industry was today celebrating a bumper Bank Holiday weekend after an estimated £172,524,363 was spent in the region.

Beches were bustling and parks packed as people soaked up the last of the summer sun.

Carolyn Custerson, chairman of Visit Devon, said: "Tourism is one of the leading industries in Devon – and we have proved this year that we can really deliver economically for the region."

National Trust properties were reporting an eight per increase year on year.

Laura Holt, deputy chairman of Visit Devon, said: "It's a tribute to...

Fire crews were called out to deal with an accident involving a vehicle towing livestock and a motorbike yesterday morning.

Two appliances from Danes Castle and Middlemoor attended the scene at 8.43am and made the vehicles safe.

A motorcyclist was dealt with by ambulance personnel and there were no other reported injuries.

It was a busy weekend for crews in Devon this Bank Holiday weekend.

At 0.51am yesterday, one appliance from Axminster was sent to Cridlake after calls reporting a shed on fire.

Crews found a garden shed well alight, with...

A mum from Exeter is all smiles after winning a Saturday Street Prize cheque for £10,000, thanks to charity lottery, People’s Postcode Lottery.

Trudi Sandford, 37, had only just returned home with her young son from hospital when People’s Postcode Lottery Street Prize Presenter, Judie McCourt, knocked on her door. Trudi, who has only been playing the Lottery since May this year, was overjoyed to discover her postcode in the EX1 area had won her £10,000.

“I’m definitely still overwhelmed by it all,” said Trudi. “I had literally been home for a minute or two when the team at...

Quality and Partnership are the key themes in speeches from lead organisations at the annual Devon Care Training conference, this year titled What I do Matters.

Care providers and commissioners of care are gathering to share best practice, successes and challenges of working in a constantly changing market place where only those that adapt their businesses to provide tailor-made care will survive.

Care agencies from across the south west are invited to attend the What I Do Matters conference at the University of Exeter on Friday 13 September.

The conference is the...

Twenty two Exeter businesses have together raised nearly £8,000 for The Exeter Foundation. As part of taking part in the Exeter Business Games 2013, teams from each business raised £3,939 for the charity. This amount has been generously matched by Thomson Reuters, bringing the total to £7878. Anette Grahns, of Thomson Reuters, said: “Thomson Reuters have been involved with Exeter Business Games since its inception. Apart from it being a fun annual event for Exeter businesses, it gives us the opportunity to give something back to the local Exeter community. Thomson Reuters is very proud to...

Construction company, Willmott Dixon, is expanding its business in the South West peninsular having recently won four major contacts in the area. Together the investment exceeds £20 million and work will begin straight away. Willmott Dixon have committed that £16 million will be spent in Devon, with Devon based contractors.

Willmott Dixon is inviting companies from across the construction sector to attend a Meet the Contractor event at Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter on 4 September. Attendees at the event will learn more about Willmott Dixon, its regional presence and its...

East Devon District Council have launched a fresh consultation on aspects of the document that will form the planning blueprint for the district over the next 13 years to 2026.

A decision to go ahead with a six-week consultation into the latest changes was made by EDDC’s Development Management Committee on Tuesday, following advice from the inspector who is examining the Local Plan document submitted to him on 2 August.

Mr Anthony Thickett has been appointed as the Independent Inspector and he has advised that he cannot undertake his examination of the document because...

Earlier in the year, the ELF Community Support Programme was launched to help the wider community who have been diagnosed of leukaemia and other blood disorders, who have been referred to the RD&E Hospital.

Three distinct services of accommodation, transport and advice are now fully operational and will help thousands of patients and loved ones every year. All these services are FREE to the patient and loved one, although donations are welcomed.

Accommodation Initially the charity rented a 2 bedroom apartment just 5 minutes from the hospital, for patients, their...