Some dementia patients are being kept in their wards 24-hours a day for years on end, BBC Scotland has learned. The discovery was made by the Mental Welfare Commission during unannounced visits to NHS hospitals in Scotland.

A new report published by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, says that hospital based care for patients with severe dementia should be driven by patient need rather than resources.

The winners of Scotland’s national Care Accolades awards were announced at a glittering gala lunch at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, hosted by Kaye Adams. The annual event recognises best practice throughout the social service sector and today’s guests were treated to stories of ground breaking research, heart-warming efforts and innovative professional practice.

A full range of measures – including satellite tracking and lie detectors – could be brought to bear on sex offenders who go into hiding, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said yesterday.

Alex Salmond picked his first major fight with Westminster last night over a British government deal which he feared could involve the transfer of the Lockerbie bomber to Libya.

Police have uncovered a cannabis farm inside a three-bedroom detached house in an upmarket part of a quiet suburban village.

Following the statement made by Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, in which she set out the Government’s position on future NHS service change proposals, Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of BMA Scotland, said:

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced to parliament that decisions to close two accident and emergency units will be reversed. The previous government had endorsed plans to close A&E units at Ayr hospital and Monklands in Lanarkshire.

Patients in Ayrshire are to be offered tests for hepatitis C amid concern that they may have been infected by a health care worker more than 15 years ago. Some people who underwent surgery, such as caesareans or hysterectomies, were offered tests in 2005 but none were found to be infected.

Children and young people have produced a DVD highlighting the “horrors” of their detention at the Dungavel immigration removal centre which they hope will lead to the end of the