A major review has concluded there is little evidence to suggest a key plank of government plans to toughen up mental health laws actually works. The Mental Health Bill would allow people with untreatable personality disorders to be detained, even if they have not committed a crime.

A Conduct Committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) yesterday 7 March 2007 decided the case of a social worker from Wolverhampton who was alleged to have breached the code of practice for social care workers by driving with excess of alcohol and failing to declare the conviction to the GSCC.

The announcement this week by the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt of consultative proposals for a new commissioning framework for health and social care has been warmly received by Skills for Care – the national workforce development body that is responsible for standards and qualifications in adult social care.

Over 300 workers at Manchester’s mental health and social care trust have won a victory against their bosses following a campaign that included strike action.

The NHS is overburdened by inspections by at least 56 different bodies, a report has warned. The NHS Confederation, which represents 90% of managers, says inspection and assessment are important.

A health trust has saved a couple from taking the agonising decision of which one of them should go blind. It agreed yesterday agreed to fund treatment for one of the pensioners following claims that the availability of sight-saving drugs on the NHS was a postcode lottery.

A housing service is looking for residents to give vulnerable adults a home. The Bromley Scheme for Adult Placements houses people who have learning or physical disabilities or mental health needs.