The latest statistics showing the take-up and costs of free personal and nursing care for 2003-04 and 2004-05 have been published.

Land on the site of a derelict paper mill in Aberdeen has been bought to provide more than 360 affordable homes.

Approximately half of local authorities need to improve their services for cared-for children, education inspectors have said.

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.

^{Addict parents may have to undergo drug tests to establish whether they are fit to look after their own children, it has emerged.}

Funding to cope with homelessness in Dumfries and Galloway is “inadequate” councillors have been told.

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.