The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated medical care, including older people’s care, at the Glenfield Hospital as Good overall, following an unannounced inspection in March 2026. The service has improved from its previous rating of Requires Improvement, with the key domains of Safe, Caring, Effective and Responsive rated Good, and the service receiving an Outstanding rating for Well-led. The inspection took place on 2 and 3 March 2026 and included visits to seven wards, reviews of 15 patient records, and conversations with 34 patients and family members and 63 members of staff. Inspectors found patients were safe and cared for in a clean environment, staff were well trained and prepared for emergencies, and care was delivered with kindness and dignity. The report described a “compassionate, confident, calm and highly competent medical care service” and highlighted strong multidisciplinary working, excellent handovers and board rounds, and an outstanding whole-team approach within the Coronary Care Unit. Patients and families spoke positively about their experience of care, describing staff as approachable, visible and kind. Inspectors awarded the highest possible score for kindness, compassion and dignity, noting that patients felt listened to, involved in decisions about their care, and treated with respect. The CQC also recognised the strength of local leadership and governance arrangements, innovative clinical practice and research activity, and initiatives to widen opportunities for young people with learning disabilities and autism to experience work through student placements. Inspectors found leaders were fully aware of risks and pressures within services and had effective governance processes in place to manage them. Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted that the CQC has recognised the significant progress made by our medical care teams at the Glenfield Hospital. “This report reflects the exceptional commitment, professionalism and compassion of our colleagues, who provide outstanding care for patients every day. We are particularly pleased to see patients and families speaking so positively about their experiences and that our leadership teams have been recognised with an Outstanding rating for well-led. “The findings highlight the expertise of our teams, the strength of our multidisciplinary working and our commitment to research, innovation and continuous improvement. “I would like to thank all colleagues who contributed to the inspection and who continue to deliver high-quality care day in and day out.” While recognising many areas of excellent practice, the CQC identified a small number of areas where further improvement is needed. These included some estate limitations, closing patient safety incident reporting in a timely manner, and some isolated environmental issues that were immediately acted on during the inspection. In many cases, action was taken immediately while inspectors were on site, and plans are already in place to strengthen services further. The inspection report is available on the CQC website. Patients, carers and families who have feedback to share about any of the services at UHL can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on Freephone 0808 178 8337, or email: uhl-tr.pals@nhs.net. UHL News - 3 September 2026

There were plenty of smiles across University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) when Ben, a friendly King Charles Spaniel therapy dog, and his owner Ken paid a special visit to patients, visitors and staff. Ken volunteers with Ben once a month to visit UHL, offering companionship, providing comfort and brightening the day for those they meet. On their most recent visit, they spent time in Maternity and the adult and children’s emergency departments, bringing smiles and a little extra comfort to patients, families and hospital staff along the way. Therapy dogs are known for the positive impact they can have in healthcare settings. Spending time with animals can help people feel calmer, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and provide a welcome distraction during what can often be a difficult time. Eileen Cunningham, Lead Professional Midwifery Advocate at UHL, helped organise Ben’s visit to Maternity. She said: “We wanted to bring something special to our maternity areas that would brighten people’s day and create a few moments of calm. The response was wonderful, and it was clear how much Ben’s visit was appreciated by everyone he met.“ A big thank you to Ken and Ben for generously volunteering their time and helping to create moments of comfort, connection and calm for patients, visitors and staff across UHL.” Interested in volunteering at UHL? Volunteers play an important role in supporting patients, visitors, and staff across our hospitals. Whether you’re interested in becoming a general volunteer or would like to find out more about volunteering with a therapy dog, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our volunteering page for more information on the opportunities available and how to get involved. UHL News - 3 September 2026

From messy play to read and rhymes, Sessions for 0-2 year-olds and their adults are being held across the county. ‘Baby Fortnight’ is back, with a series of free activity sessions and workshops taking place across Leicestershire for 0–2-year-olds. Running until 18th September, the sessions are aimed at giving parents and carers the support they need to aid their child’s development through simple and engaging activities. Parents and carers can book onto sessions now, which include messy play, language support workshops and sensory fun. Last year more than 270 children joined in with Baby Fortnight, organised as part of Leicestershire County Council’s Family Hubs ‘Best Start for Life’ initiative. There are a variety of sessions planned including: Messy Play, which is a creative session providing fun for children and parents alike whilst also sharing tips on how messy plan can encourage a child’s development. Read and Rhyme Time. This offers a unique workshop for parents/carers and children to come together to improve language and communication skills Five to Thrive stay and play sessions which provide fun activities for parents / carers and their children to explore their senses and encourage all-round brain development. Tim Browne, assistant director for education, inclusion and additional needs said: "These sessions are a great way to interact with your children in a fun, but inspiring environment too. Each year Baby Fortnight is a huge success. We hope this year to inspire more families to get involved and take advantage of these brilliant free sessions." Sessions take place in a variety of towns and villages, including Loughborough, Hinckley, Melton, Coalville, Wigston, Lutterworth and Market Harborough. To book a place and find out more details, contact your local Family Hub directly. Family Hubs events, addresses and hub contact details Leicestershire County Council News - Monday, 7 September, 2026

Families across Leicester can enjoy unlimited bus travel for just £6.40 a day at weekends this September, as Leicester Buses launches a special offer to celebrate Catch the Bus Month. For the whole of September, the Family Flexi Day ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) will be available at a discounted price of £6.40 on Saturdays and Sundays, making it even easier and more affordable to enjoy days out together by bus! The ticket can be used across participating Leicester Buses operators, so families aren't restricted to travelling with just one bus company and can change between operators as part of their journey. The special offer is part of Leicester Buses' support for Catch the Bus Month, the annual campaign encouraging people to choose the bus more often and discover the benefits of public transport. Councillor Geoff Whittle, Assistant City Mayor (Environment & Transport), said “At just £6.40 a day for the family on weekends in September, this is a fantastic value way to get out and about together. Whether you're heading into the city centre, visiting friends and family or planning a day out, we'd love people to leave the car at home and catch the bus instead. We've made huge improvements to Leicester's bus network over recent years and Catch the Bus Month is a great opportunity for people who haven't travelled on Leicester Buses for a while to come back and see what's changed.” Leicester Buses brings together the city's bus operators and Leicester City Council to create One Network that is electric, frequent, reliable, easy and great value. Making fares simpler and more affordable is a key part of that work. Leicester has moved towards an all-operator Flexi range, with passengers able to use more than one participating operator without the financial penalty of buying separate operator tickets. The £6.40 Family Flexi Day Ticket reduced-price weekend offer will be available every Saturday and Sunday throughout September 2026. The ticket allows up to 2 adults and 3 children (up to the age of 16), unlimited day travel anywhere in the Flexi Area for only £6.40 during September Saturdays and Sundays and £10 at all other times. For full ticket information and to plan your journey, visit www.leicesterbuses.co.uk. LCC News - Published on Friday, September 4, 2026

A pedestrian has died following a collision in Leicester Road, Quorn, last month. Police received a call at 3.33pm on Tuesday 18 August following a report of a road traffic collision in Loughborough Road near to the junction with Granite Way. The collision involved a red Peugeot 3008 and two pedestrians – a man and a woman. The driver of the Peugeot was not injured. The pedestrians were both taken to hospital. Sadly, the man died in the early hours of this morning (Thursday 3 September) as a result of his injuries. The woman suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries. She remains in hospital. A 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and released under investigation. Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses. We would like to speak to any motorists who were travelling through the area and may have witnessed the collision or saw the vehicle beforehand. Anyone who may also have dashcam footage which captured anything relating to the collision is also asked to make contact. You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 26*495137. Alternatively call 101.

A pedestrian has died following a collision in Queniborough last month. Police were called to Melton Road, close to the junction with Marsden Avenue, just after 3.30pm on 24 August following a report of a collision involving a bus and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a man in his 80s, was taken to hospital but sadly died as a result of his injuries on Tuesday (1 September). A file will be prepared for HM Coroner. Leicestershire Police News - Published: 15:12 03/09/2026

Ten council leaders from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have written to the Government to confirm their unanimous preference to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for the area. In a letter to First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, they state that following the Government’s decision on local government reorganisation, an MSA offers the strongest platform for strategic leadership, economic growth and investment across the newly defined area. The leaders also call for further clarity from Government on the timetable for the implementation of the MSA, and on the devolved powers and potential funding opportunities that would be available. This follows on from a letter sent in January 2025 to the then Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon. Signed by Leicester’s City Mayor, and the leaders of Leicestershire and Rutland county councils, this said that all three authorities wanted to progress as quickly as possible towards an MSA once local government reorganisation had been delivered. At that time, they said it was recognised by all stakeholders that the Devolution White Paper set out a once in a generation opportunity for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, which potentially could deliver substantial benefits to local residents. The council leaders have asked for a response from the Government for consideration at their next leaders’ meeting which takes place in September. LCC News - Published on Thursday, September 3, 2026

Three days of free live music, street food, craft beer, cocktail bars and family entertainment take over Jubilee Square from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September More than 30 live performances, over 30 craft beers, three dedicated festival bars, delicious street food, family entertainment and more take over Jubilee Square this weekend, as free festival Brew Beat returns to Leicester from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026. Headlining the festival are acclaimed Northern funk and soul band Smoove & Turrell, who bring Brew Beat's three days of live music to a close with Sunday's headline set. The band's career has taken them to festivals including Glastonbury and stages around the world, and they'll cap a weekend of music spanning soul, funk, R&B, indie, hip hop, jazz and electronic sounds. Sheffield-born singer, lyricist and producer Aziza Jaye brings more than 20 years of experience performing across the UK and internationally. Known for her genre-less approach to music, she has collaborated with artists including Mungo's Hi Fi, Nile Rodgers, Toddla T, Jumpin Jack Frost and K.O.G, and has performed at major festivals, clubs and sound system sessions in the UK and abroad. Now fully focused on her solo project, Aziza brings her genre-fluid sound and commanding live presence to the Brew Beat stage. Electronic music is well represented too. Submatic, creator of DKG (Dub Kingdom Garage), brings his distinctive fusion of sound system culture and UK garage, alongside Leicester-based DJ and producerJon1st. A former DMC World Online Champion, Jon1st has built an international reputation for his technical turntablism and genre-crossing sets, with appearances on BBC 6 Music, DJ Mag, Rinse FM, NTS and Ninja Tune's Solid Steel. They're joined by a line up spanning genres and generations, with some serious Leicester pedigree on the bill. Percussionist, keyboard player and backing vocalist Jordan Birtles of Leicester band Hard Life, one of the city's biggest musical success stories of recent years, brings a DJ set under his alias Tex, giving audiences the chance to experience a different side of his musical influences. Emerging Midlands band Pink Juice are another name to watch. Still early in their journey, the group are already working with established musicians including Ian Matthews and Seye Adelekan as they develop new material, making them one of the most exciting new names on this year's bill. They're joined by Leicester’s Harri Georgio & The Well Behaved Young Men, whose high-energy sound adds indie, rock and rap to the weekend’s mix. Now in its sixth year, the free festival has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors and has become one of Leicester's favourite summer events. Alongside more than 20 hours of live music, visitors can explore a carefully curated drinks offering across three dedicated bars, featuring more than 30 craft beers from breweries including Cloudwater, Two by Two, Braybrooke, Mill Hill Cask, Verdant, Polly'sand many more. The main craft beer bar is hosted by Leicester's The Real Ale Classroom, with Audrey serving creative cocktails and 33 Cank Street returning with its popular Spritz Bar. Food lovers can enjoy everything from Thai tapas by Giggling Squid, fresh hot dogs and burgers served up by Grandma's Cottage, to bold Indian flavours from city centre newcomer Madras Flavours. Families can get into the festival spirit with face painting by Space Pony Faces, circus skills workshops and a dedicated family fun zone, with more to be announced. Presented by BID Leicester with support from Leicester City Council, the festival continues its mission to spotlight local talent, local businesses, and community creativity. Simon Jenner, BID Leicester Director, said: "Brew Beat has become one of the highlights of Leicester's events calendar because it offers something for everyone. Whether you're coming to enjoy the live music, discover fantastic local food and drink or simply spend time with friends and family in the city centre, it's a brilliant weekend with an atmosphere that's hard to beat. We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Jubilee Square this September." Brew Beat is produced in partnership with local businesses Arch Creative, HQ Recording and The Real Ale Classroom. Joe Nixon, Founder & Creative Director of Arch Creative, said: "Six years in, Brew Beat still feels special to us. We've watched it grow from something local into a weekend people plan their summer around, and there's nothing better than seeing Jubilee Square packed with people enjoying the music, the food and each other's company. That's exactly what we set out to build." The festival will take place across three days, located on Jubilee Square, LE1 4LD, Leicester City Centre. Friday 4 September – 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Saturday 5 September – 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Sunday 6 September – 12:00 pm–7:00 pm Admission is free, and no tickets are required. Don't miss a beat. Follow Brew Beat on social media and head to brewbeat.co.uk for the latest on music line-ups, craft beers and foodie favourites

Just 72 hours to go, as Leicester Pride reveals huge entertainment line-up, free Pride bus, BBC Introducing East Midlands stage and spectacular Lady Gaga finale Leicester is preparing to welcome an expected 20,000 people for one of the UK's largest free Pride festivals, with just 72 hours to go until Leicester Pride brings a huge parade, two arenas of entertainment and a spectacular finale to the city – this coming weekend. Taking place on Saturday 5 September, Leicester Pride 2026 will transform the city centre and Abbey Park for a full day of LGBTQ+ celebration, visibility and community, while making an important promise to visitors: nobody should be priced out of Pride. With free entry, a free Pride bus and entertainment running throughout the day, organisers say accessibility remains at the heart of the festival as Leicester prepares to demonstrate why the Midlands can increasingly lay claim to being Britain's Pride Capital. And this year's Pride is planning to conclude with a bang. The Main Stage will culminate in a spectacular Lady Gaga tribute from Donna Marie, following a packed bill featuring Union J's Jaymi Hensley, Inspired by Adele, Typically Tina, George Redwood, BBC Introducing, West End star Nikki Bentley and Fanny Burns. Hosting proceedings will be Lea Martin and Marty Smith, alongside the return of TikTok and Instagram sensation Alexis Blake, winner of Gaydio's Influencer of the Year award. Away from the Main Stage, the Fosse Park Dance Arena will keep Pride moving with sets from Prince JayJay, A38, Robbie Lewis, James Dean, Ben Aldridge and Gareth Hazard. BBC Introducing East Midlands will also be showcasing some of our region’s most exciting up and coming talent. The Billy Bates & Sons Funfair also returns to Abbey Park, while the festival site will feature bars, food vendors, market stalls and stands from Leicester Pride's sponsors and partners. Pride will also retain its strong focus on LGBTQ+ health, support and community. A dedicated Health & Wellbeing Marquee will include Trade Sexual Health and Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre, creating a highly visible space where visitors can access information, support and conversations around LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing. The celebrations begin in the city centre at 12 noon, when the Leicester Pride parade leaves Curve before travelling through the heart of Leicester, passing some of the city's most recognisable landmarks and arriving at Abbey Park at approximately 1pm. And getting to the main festival couldn't be easier. A FREE Pride bus service will run throughout the day between Rainbow & Dove on Charles Street and Abbey Park, helping visitors travel between the city centre and the main Pride site without adding to the cost of their day. Martyn Parker, Chairman of Leicester Pride, said: "With one week to go, you can really feel the excitement building. We're preparing to welcome around 20,000 people to Leicester for what we believe will be one of our biggest and most exciting Pride celebrations yet. "Leicester Pride has always been about much more than putting on a great show. It's about visibility, community and creating a place where people can be completely themselves. "The Midlands has developed an extraordinary Pride movement, with celebrations taking place in communities right across the region. We want Leicester to be right at the heart of that and to show why this part of the country can rightly lay claim to being Britain's Pride Capital. "But one of the things we're most proud of is that Leicester Pride remains free. "At a time when the cost of attending major events continues to rise, that matters. Nobody should be priced out of Pride. "From free entry to the free Pride bus, we want as many people as possible to be able to come into Leicester, join the parade, enjoy the entertainment and be part of the celebration. "Keeping an event of this scale free is only possible because of the incredible support we receive from our sponsors, partners, volunteers and Leicester City Council. We can't thank them enough. "Now there's only one thing left to do: bring Leicester together, make some noise and put on an unforgettable Pride." Leicester Pride has deliberately maintained its free-entry model, helping ensure that the celebration remains accessible to the whole community. As a registered charity, Leicester Pride works with sponsors and partners to keep the festival free, with money raised invested into its annual events or donated to other local LGBTQ+ charities. Alongside the party, organisers say the event remains rooted in the principles on which Pride was built: LGBTQ+ visibility, equality, community, support and the right for people to live openly and authentically. The scale of Leicester Pride also reflects the extraordinary strength of Pride across the Midlands, with celebrations now taking place in cities, towns and communities throughout the region. With around 20,000 people expected in Leicester alone, organisers believe the Midlands can increasingly make the case for being Britain's Pride Capital, not because of a single event but because of the breadth, diversity and strength of LGBTQ+ celebrations taking place across the region. Leicester Pride takes place at Abbey Park on Saturday 5 September 2026, from 11am until 9pm, with last entry at 7pm. Leicester Pride Guide 2026 Download the Pride guide here www.leicesterpride.com Follow Leicester Pride Facebook page for more information on this event Leicester Media is proud to be the official media partner for Leicester Pride

Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet will be asked to consider taking the first steps towards challenging the Government over its decision to expand Leicester. At a full council meeting last month (August), the authority expressed serious concern about the Government’s decision and called on ministers to go back to the drawing board. Now, sending a formal ‘pre-action protocol’ letter seeking further information and clarification from the Government is being mooted. Next Tuesday (8 September), Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council, will ask cabinet to consider the option, which has cross-party support from the Conservative and Lib Dem groups. Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council said: “We stand firmly with our residents. “They’ve spoken loud and clear about the Government’s flawed decision and we cannot ignore the strength of feeling across the communities affected. “Dozens of towns and villages face being swallowed up by a city expansion and we must do everything we can to protect their character and future services.” In August, the council also agreed to seek legal advice on whether the Government’s decision-making process was lawful and robust, before considering what further action might be justified. The proposed letter would focus on the reasoning, evidence and process underlying the Government’s decision. Dan Harrison added: “Our full council set out its position clearly in August. “We need a fuller explanation. I will now ask cabinet to consider taking this formal step which gives the Government an opportunity to answer our concerns and provide relevant information before we decide whether any further action is appropriate. “This is not a step we would take lightly but creating a larger city is the single biggest change for Leicestershire in living memory. The people of Leicestershire are entitled to transparency about a decision which could reshape their communities and local services for generations. “Our message for Government is clear – please think again.” Leader of the Conservative group, Deborah Taylor, said: “At last month’s council meeting, we made it clear that we were united in defence of our county against a city land grab. We stand squarely behind our residents in this fight.” Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Michael Mullaney said: “We will continue to fight the Government’s disgraceful plan to drag 100,000s of county residents into Leicester City. We’ve always said this is a disastrous plan for communities and we support the county council’s challenge.” Leicestershire County Council News - 2 September 2026

Officers would like to speak to the man pictured following a report of courier fraud. On 18 July a woman in Leicestershire received a text message stating there had been an unauthorised transaction from her bank account and that she needed to ring a number which had been provided. The victim, who is in her 70s, called the number and spoke to someone who stated that the bank card needed to be collected by a courier to be ‘fingerprinted’. She left the card in an envelope outside her address as instructed and witnessed it be collected by a man. The victim later noticed two unauthorised transactions had been made using the card, totalling several thousands of pounds. Through enquiries carried out since the report was made, we believe the man pictured may have information that can help and are appealing for anyone who recognises him to get in touch. We are also warning our communities to remain vigilant when it comes to courier fraud. If you know anyone who you think could be targeted, please speak to them and advise them that a bank will never ask you to hand over your card to a courier if they think there have been unauthorised transactions from your account. You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 26*469042. Alternatively call 101. Further information about courier fraud can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/dtdc/courier-fraud/

Weekly food waste collections are due to start for most households in Charnwood later this year. Charnwood Borough Council is working with its recycling and waste partner Serco to roll out the new service which is expected to begin for the majority of homes from week commencing Monday 2 November 2026. Residents’ bin collection days are not changing. Collections for households with communal bin store areas are scheduled to start in 2027. This includes those living in properties which share a communal bin store such as flat blocks and sheltered accommodation. Cllr Anne Gray, Lead Member for Waste, Open Spaces and Leisure Facilities said: “We understand this is a big change for our residents, but the Council will share plenty of information to help residents recycle food waste effectively. “We’re working with our partner Serco to ensure a smooth roll out which includes delivering thousands of caddy packs to homes before the service gets underway. “This is a positive step forward and will bring many benefits to residents and the environment. I would encourage everyone to get involved and make use of this service.” All homes will receive a caddy pack with two caddies, one for in the home and the other to place outside for emptying, a roll of liners for the indoor caddy, and some handy information. For homes with collections starting in November, delivery of the caddy packs will start at the end of September and take a few weeks. Homes with communal bin stores will get their caddy packs closer to their service start date. Residents are urged to only start recycling food waste the week before their first collection. Further information about service and top tips will be shared across the Council’s communication channels in the coming weeks. Weekly food waste collections are being introduced to meet the Government’s Simpler Recycling rules, which require all councils in England to collect food waste separately. The changes aim to reduce the amount of waste in black bins and carbon emissions. It is also hoped the new service will help to improve recycling rates in the borough. The collected food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is used to generate biogas, a renewable energy which is a cleaner and cheaper alternative to fossil fuels. The process also produces nutrient rich fertiliser for farms. Cllr Beverley Gray, Lead Member for Climate Action and Net Zero, added: “Recycling food waste is a small action that can make a real difference to the environment and future generations. No amount is too little – even a single banana skin can generate enough renewable energy to charge two smartphones. “Every bit of food waste recycled helps to create cleaner and cheaper energy while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The process also produces a nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser that can be used on local farmland. “I’d encourage residents to give it a try. Recycling food waste is just as easy as putting it in your kitchen bin but instead it goes into a separate container.” More information about the introduction of food waste collections including frequently asked questions can be found on the Council’s website at www.charnwood.gov.uk/foodwaste Photo caption (L-R): Roxanne Allcock - Acting Contract Manager at Serco, Cllr Beverley Gray - Lead Member for Climate Action and Net Zero at Charnwood Borough Council, Cllr Anne Gray - Lead Member for Waste, Open Spaces and Leisure Facilities at Charnwood Borough Council and Matthew Bradford - Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment at Charnwood Borough Council. Charnwood Borough Council News - Published: Tue 1st September, 2026