Lucy Ashton

Patients in Rotherham have reported that the AI GP receptionist EMMA struggles to understand Yorkshire accents and some speech impediments, leading some people—particularly elderly, vulnerable and digitally excluded patients—to attend surgeries in person. Healthwatch Rotherham says callers can opt out and request reasonable assistance, while QuantumLoopAI maintains that EMMA supports a wide range of accents and languages, transfers unclear calls to staff and has improved access for most users. NHS South Yorkshire is working with Healthwatch on guidance for GP practices adopting AI telephone systems.

Sheffield Hospitals Charity has warned supporters that personal information stored in Beacon CRM may have been accessed after an unauthorised person entered parts of the system and downloaded database backups. Potentially affected data includes contact details, donation and volunteering records, event participation information and Gift Aid records, but not payment card or patient data. The charity said there is currently no evidence of misuse, fraud or harm, and the number of affected people has not been disclosed. Beacon is investigating with cybersecurity specialists, while the charity has secured its systems and notified the relevant authorities.

Sheffield Hospitals Charity has warned supporters that personal information stored in Beacon CRM may have been accessed during a cyber attack affecting more than 1,000 organisations. The potentially exposed data includes names, contact details, donation and volunteering records, event participation and Gift Aid information, but not payment card or patient data. Beacon says an unauthorised person accessed parts of its system and downloaded database backups; investigations and containment measures are ongoing. The charity says there is currently no evidence of misuse, fraud or harm, has notified relevant regulators, and is advising supporters to remain alert to suspicious messages.

Business leaders and politicians warn that East Midlands Railway’s reduced services between Sheffield and London are harming productivity, increasing travel costs and undermining confidence in the regional economy. EMR attributes the cuts to reliability issues with its new Hitachi fleet and says the temporary timetable aims to avoid consecutive cancellations. Local business figures and a Liberal Democrat peer cite significant delays, overcrowding and operational faults, prompting calls for government intervention. Hitachi reports ongoing delivery and improvements to the new trains as efforts continue to stabilise services.

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in South Yorkshire marks 25 years since its transformation from the former Orgreave colliery into a major innovation hub. The newly opened Compass facility uses advanced robotics to develop large-scale composite components for aerospace manufacturing. Founded through a partnership between the University of Sheffield and industry figures, the AMRC has grown into a centre working with companies including Boeing and McLaren, contributing significantly to regional economic revival. Experts note that while highly productive, the AMRC alone cannot replace historic industrial employment but remains a key part of a wider strategy for local economic development.

Adults with learning disabilities showcased their creativity at three major events hosted by the Burton Street Foundation in Sheffield, including Burton's Got Talent, Burtonbury Festival and the Burton Street Drag Show. Participants such as Paul Draper and Craig Dransfield described the joy and confidence they gained from performing, while manager Justin Sheppy highlighted the events as celebrations of individuality and the organisation’s commitment to supporting clients’ abilities.

Sheffield is rolling out larger 240‑litre blue recycling bins to all households except flats by December, replacing the smaller 140‑litre versions after residents said capacity was insufficient. Existing bins will be collected on delivery day, unless residents opt to keep them for personal storage. Recycling guidance will be provided with the new bins. Brown bin recycling has been expanded to include more plastic items, with plastic films added in 2027, and households will soon be able to request additional blue or brown bins. Collection schedules remain unchanged, and the council reports significant annual savings from current recycling levels.

Three Sheffield secondary schools will expand to address a projected shortage of Year 7 places through 2029, with Sheffield City Council approving new facilities and refurbishments supported by Department for Education funding. Forge Valley School will receive a new three‑storey extension, Ecclesfield School will undergo feasibility studies for additional space, and Meadowhead School will convert an existing building to accommodate temporary growth. Rising exclusions are increasing pressure on the Sheffield Inclusion Centre, prompting a broader shift toward strengthening in‑school alternative provision. Rowan School, serving children with autism and complex communication needs, will also receive funding for refurbishment. The council’s finance committee will review the plans on Monday.

Sheffield City Council is moving forward with proposals to build two new cemeteries on green belt land to address a looming shortage of burial space, despite significant objections from residents in affected postcodes. Feasibility studies are underway for sites in the south and southeast of the city, where capacity is especially low, including locations at Common Lane, Jordanthorpe Parkway and Beaver Hill Road. The council warns that overall burial capacity could run out between 2031 and 2033, with Muslim burial provision projected to reach capacity even sooner. Additional plots are being developed at existing cemeteries, and councillors are scheduled to review the plans on 16 July.

Sheffield Council plans to modernise sport and leisure facilities through a long‑term strategy aiming to improve access in disadvantaged areas and address ageing infrastructure. Key proposals include reinstating a pool at the University of Sheffield’s Goodwin centre, refurbishing the Woodburn Road athletics track for accreditation, and upgrading major leisure venues such as Concord, Springs, Hillsborough and Ponds Forge. The council currently lacks funding but intends to seek support from Sport England and other bodies. The strategy prioritises extending access, improving community facilities and enhancing provision for both mainstream and specialist sports, with council committees set to review the proposals in mid‑July.

Rising temperatures are putting increasing strain on NHS services, with Doncaster and Bassetlaw hospitals reporting pressures comparable to winter demand. Acting chief executive Zara Jones highlighted extreme heat as a growing operational challenge requiring investment in modern, temperature‑resilient facilities. Research from the University of Sheffield indicates widespread susceptibility to overheating in hospital buildings, prompting studies on long‑term heat‑resilience solutions. The Doctors' Association UK has urged the government to set maximum safe working temperatures after reports of disrupted operations and patient risks. The government noted record numbers of May attendances handled within four hours despite the heatwave.

St Luke's Hospice in Sheffield warns of a £1.7m deficit after four consecutive years of financial losses, driven by increased staffing, food, energy and medical costs. Despite significant public support, reserves have fallen too low, prompting trustees to insist that the 2026–27 budget must break even. About £1m has already been cut through efficiencies and contract changes, but further income growth and cost reductions are needed. A new five‑year NHS contract with modest funding increases will help planning but will not resolve the hospice’s financial pressures amid a wider national hospice funding crisis.

Diving enthusiasts from Dearne Valley Divers are travelling to Tiree in the Inner Hebrides to assist Edinburgh Napier University with research into critically endangered tope sharks that congregate in a local bay each summer. The project aims to understand why the sharks gather there and support conservation efforts while ensuring responsible, non‑intrusive diving practices. Working with the British Sub-Aqua Club and the Shark Trust, the group will conduct detailed surveys intended to help protect the species and raise awareness about responsible fishing and marine stewardship.