Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon faces mounting pressure over hospital services, after the senior doctor who drew up the blueprint for the future of the health service strongly criticised her plans.

Scotland’s most senior Roman Catholic faced a furious political backlash last night after he launched an outspoken attack on what he described as the “evil trade of abortion”.

When Thomas Brittain, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist, left his home and a substantial trust fund to the elderly people of Dunblane, his hope was that future generations would benefit.

The Scottish government has begun work on plans to release the names and pictures of sex offenders who have gone on the run. It said the move was a “useful” way of finding potentially dangerous offenders who failed to stick to the terms of their registration.

Highland councillors in Lochaber have called for an urgent external investigation to be carried out at a Fort William care centre, following a second damning Care Commission report.

There were renewed calls for an independent review of the controversial plan to privatise care homes for the elderly yesterday after comments made by the new Highland Council convener left many confused.

Junior doctors are to meet Nicola Sturgeon, the health secretary, next week amid calls for urgent action over the chaotic recruitment system for trainee medics.

A pensioner who was placed on a waiting list for free personal care by his local council has died while the legal row over the way he was treated rumbles on.

Councillors and senior managers were yesterday blamed for failings in the social work service, including services for older people.

New SNP health secretary Nicola Sturgeon is to send trouble-shooters to tackle cancer treatment waiting lists in two health board areas. She made the announcement after figures showed many health boards again failed to meet waiting time targets.