Sam Blackledge

Feb 14, 2025 | itv.com | Sam Blackledge

Sam Blackledge reports on the crisis in the South West's private rental sector. A woman from Plymouth says she feels "deflated, disappointed and angry" as her year-long search for a new flat continues. Stevie Searle, who works as a singer, is looking to move to a bigger home as she says her current place is unsuitable. She spoke to ITV West Country about her struggles in January 2024 - and we returned to her a year later.

Jan 24, 2025 | itv.com | Sam Blackledge

Stephanie Taylor told ITV News' Sam Blackledge she's worried for her autistic son Hadyn's future. The mother of an autistic boy living in Plymouth says she is afraid for his future, as the city council faces making tough decisions on services for vulnerable people. It comes as families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) call on councillors to prioritise them.

Jan 21, 2025 | itv.com | Sam Blackledge

Sam Blackledge reports on a protest by parents outside County Hall in TruroParents of children with special educational needs or disabilities have staged a protest outside of Cornwall Council, pleading with the authorities to provide more support. Many families say their children are unable to attend school because of a lack of appropriate provision. The council says it is working hard to introduce 'a range of interventions' to help.

Jan 9, 2025 | itv.com | Sam Blackledge

Hospitals in Cornwall and Devon are reportedly '95 per cent' full as the region's hospitals struggle with bed space. New NHS England figures show in the first week of January, more than 95 per cent of general and acute beds at hospitals in Truro and Torbay were full. The high proportion of bed occupancy at the Royal Cornwall Hospital has led to higher waiting times in emergency departments - in Plymouth and Exeter, the figures stood at around 90 per cent occupancy.

Jan 8, 2025 | itv.com | Sam Blackledge

Watch as Sam Blackledge reports on continued efforts to ease pressure on the region's hospitalsA pensioner from Cornwall has told ITV News of her experience in the county's struggling health service, saying she was once forced to wait in the back of an ambulance for 12 hours and repeatedly hospitalised despite feeling well enough to go home. Brenda Kenyon, aged 70, from Truro, suffered a mental breakdown and memory loss.