A total of 31 projects across Scotland are to share more than £590,000 from the 2005-06 Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund.

Health experts with Scotland’s care regulator are to tell a high-powered task force how homes for older people are leading the way in infection control.

Stuart Robertson was killed by his friend in the attack Mental health services “failed” to respond to a relapse by a man who killed a friend when freed into the community from a psychiatric hospital. A report from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland found a “lack of any systematic approach to risk assessment” in James Smith’s treatment.

Tighter safeguards on the management of restricted patients are to be introduced following the Mental Welfare Commission Inquiry into care and treatment that was set up following the conviction of a conditionally discharged patient for culpable homicide in March 2005.

Funding to cope with homelessness in Dumfries and Galloway is “inadequate” councillors have been told. They have been warned they face a 20% rise in the problem within the space of the next two years.

Highland Council is recruiting social workers from Canada and Australia to fill a widening skills gap.
The council said it had to employ more staff because of increasing demands, especially in the children and family care services.

Fife Council is delivering social work services which improve the lives of many people who receive them, but needs to do more, according to Scotland’s social work inspectors.