THE efforts of care workers and NHS staff in the Highlands were commended yesterday after the level of their commitment during the snowy weather was revealed.

EAST Kilbride MSP Andy Kerr is backing a campaign to improve services for people affected by muscular dystrophy. Mr Kerr voiced his support after meeting activists who were lobbying the Scottish Parliament.

HEALTH board chiefs this week confirmed the new care centre that could house Carstairs patients will probably be open by the end of the year.

MORE community short breaks are being provided to older people and their carers in Edinburgh. Nearly £380,000 has been allocated for additional short breaks for older people in the city – funded by the Scottish Government and Edinburgh City Council’s Older People’s Capacity Plan.

A NORTH-EAST woman has scooped a prestigious award for her dedication in helping her colleagues gain qualifications.

SENSITIVE papers relating to child protection cases have been released by mistake to the press. The documents were among the minutes of Lanarkshire NHS board circulated to newspapers, including the Advertiser, last week.

Almost 300 registered sex offenders were living in Tayside at the end of March. Figures obtained by Angus Council show there are a total of 298 sex offenders, which is an increase of 23 since March, 2008.

Increasing numbers of children suffering mental health problems are being sent to adult or non-specialist hospital wards despite specific ministerial pledges to halve the number of such cases.

A residential unit in southern Scotland for children with learning difficulties has been recommended to be approved. Moffat company, Meadowfield Care, wants to build the facility at land next to Upper Stepford Farm near Dunscore.

MORAY’S child protection service, which was criticised in a damning report in February, would now be given “a clean bill of health”, a councillor has claimed.