The South Glos Post

The Appointments Commission has approved the appointment of Melanie Gibbs as the new chair of NHS South Gloucestershire.

Melanie Gibbs has been acting Chair of NHS South Gloucestershire since December 2009, after the death of Sir Chris Clarke who had chaired the primary care trust from September 2006. Mrs Gibbs has been a non executive on NHS South Gloucestershire’s Trust Board since April 2001 and, during her tenure, chaired the audit committee.

Penny Harris, chief executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, said: “We are delighted with Melanie’s appointment. She has already made an invaluable contribution to the work of NHS South Gloucestershire to ensure that residents have access to good quality healthcare and in driving forward our ambitious plans to bring healthcare nearer to people’s homes.

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Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

The first stage of the digital switchover, allowing all viewers in the West TV region to have access to Freeview began this week.

The switchover is a two-stage process which began on Wednesday 24 March and will complete on Wednesday 7 April, making Freeview available for all viewers who receive their signal from a relay transmitter.

The vast majority of households within the West TV region will have Freeview coverage after the switchover and viewers will see the line-up of channels on their televisions go from four or five to around 15. After 7 April the analogue signal will be turned off and any televisions not converted will be unable to receive any channels.

Help is available for eligible older and disabled people through the Switchover Help scheme. For just £40 people age 75 or over or who are eligible for certain disability benefits, registered blind or partially sighted or living in care homes can receive practical help to switch one TV set to digital.

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Police are appealing for information in relation to a robbery in Almondsbury on Saturday, March 20.

At around 4pm on Saturday afternoon the victim, a 19 year-old woman, had travelled to Almondsbury with her mother and boyfriend to meet the vendors of a car advertised for sale on the internet.

When she arrived at the arranged meeting point – the junction of Over Lane with the lane heading towards Ibstock Brick Works – the offenders threatened the victim and demanded she hand over the cash she had brought with her to buy the car. They then drove away in the direction of the A38.

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a teenager was assaulted on New Cheltenham Road, Kingswood.

The incident occurred on Sunday 7th March 2010 at around 4pm.

The 14-year-old male victim was left with minor injuries after being slapped in the face by a man, described as a black and in his forties.

Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact Staple Hill police station on 0845 456 7000 or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police