Surgeons battle to repair facial slash wounds on knife victims on average every six hours in Glasgow, according to shocking new figures. More than 1000 patients a year are sent for maxillofacial surgery in city hospitals after being attacked. But detectives believe fewer than one in three assaults is reported to the police.

Union officials in Dumfries and Galloway have received “a lot” of complaints after about 1,000 council staff got letters outlining wage cuts. The cuts are part of “single status” plans to address equal pay issues.

A Coalition of Scots anti-poverty and kids’ charities has heavily criticised the energy regulator, Ofgem. The coalition has turned its attention on Ofgem because of what it sees as its continuing failure to protect vulnerable consumers from debt.

Kevin Neeson used to get arrested almost every single day. When he avoided the cells it was simply because he had managed to avoid being caught. He was one of the first young people in Scotland to receive a Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo). He says it made no difference at all.

The chances of a man accused of rape being convicted in Scotland’s courts are smaller than ever, “shameful” figures have revealed. While 975 rapes were reported to police in 2005-6, only 38 people were found guilty – a conviction rate of 3.9 per cent.

Life is set to get easier for the elderly and infirm as technology which can open jars, monitor medication and protect them from dangers including cookers and overflowing baths is due to reach British shelves in the next five years.

Responding to the Scottish Conservative Party’s manifesto, Jane McCready, Chair of RCN Scotland said: “We welcome the manifesto’s emphasis on funding mental health services and the plan to support affordable housing for key workers.

As nurses across Scotland take part in election hustings to meet their candidates for the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections, new research shows that they are not convinced that nursing will be a priority for political parties.

Southern Cross Healthcare (SCH), the UK’s largest care home operator, said it had struck a deal with rival Focus Healthcare Group to manage 29 additional homes.

More than 40% of Scots will double their chances of developing skin cancer this year by getting sunburnt. The warning came from Cancer Research UK which also found that 27% of adults thought getting burnt was part of the tanning process.