A woman who lured girls as young as 12 by getting them hooked on drugs before offering them for sex has been jailed. Fiona Walsh, 33, groomed them with clothes and other gifts before introducing them to Class A drugs.

The Justice Secretary has pledged that the new Ministry of Justice will deliver better results for the public. But Lord Falconer refused to answer detailed questions about the steps he will take to reduce prison overcrowding which is already at crisis point.

The case of whether drugs used to treat mental health problems like Alzheimer’s disease should be made available on the NHS will be heard in court on June 25th. Bringing the case against the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) is the Alzheimer’s Society.

The UK has one of the worst records over access to cancer drugs as stark inequalities exist across the world, a Swedish study has found. Researchers ranked the UK in the bottom group for its “slow and low” uptake of drugs after analysing the sales of 67 treatments in 25 countries.

The idea of a ‘partnership model’ to improve the lack of funding in social care is being supported by charity for the elderly, Counsel and Care. Caroline Bernard, policy and communications manager for the organisation, said that social care funding “needs to be addressed” and a partnership model is one of the better options.

The chief inspector of prisons warns today that offenders are being forced to “queue” for jail cells despite an assurance yesterday from the new justice minister, Lord Falconer, that the system can cope with the immediate crisis in prisoner numbers.

Professor Louis Appleby, the National Clinical Director for Mental Health explains why improvements in community care must continue and sets out a new phase of reform in mental health services in a report published today.

A nurse was sexually assaulted as she used a hospital toilet while on duty, police have revealed. The woman was attacked at the Princess Royal University Hospital, near Orpington, in south-east London.

A charity for young carers is calling on the government to set up an urgent inquiry into the plight of children caring for disabled relatives.

The opening of another brand new Extra Care Housing scheme for Plymouth means there are yet more options for vulnerable adults who need help to stay independent. Astor Court, developed by Signpost Housing Association, is the latest Extra Care Housing scheme to open its doors with spaces available for up 36 tenants aged 50 and over.