Last year, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were tasked to 2,016 incidents. Their critical care team also provided 38 time-critical inter-hospital transfers and administered blood products to 35 patients, drastically improving their chances of getting to hospital alive. With no direct Government or National Lottery funding, they rely on the generosity of the public to help raise their operational costs of over £5 million a year, with every mission costing approximately £3,000. (more…)

Alpacas – a popular Dorset tourism asset • More historic headlines from the Echo • Ruth declares war on garden pests • The Bus Shelter moves to the Park and Ride • Children should eat with their fingers…really? • John, hair singed, flees a wild fire. Presented by John Shepherd and Andy Venton

Celebrating 100 years of the Dorset Echo; a reporter remembers the big stories • Caring for your garden in high summer • Part three of the Portland Port story • Meet the dog that runs rings around you • Pet Patter returns with advice for hot dog owners • Charity news – The Blue Marine Foundation in Dorset

Dorset County Hospital’s annual awards are now open for nominations.

The Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Awards recognise individual members of staff, teams and volunteers who have gone over and above what is expected to make a difference to people’s lives.

Over the past 18 months everyone at DCH has worked incredibly hard to provide the best possible patient care and experience during what has been, and continues to be, a very challenging and pressurised time. (more…)