Almost half the patients at the State Hospital at Carstairs, including several killers, are to be released to lower security institutions.

The chief executive of Scotland’s top security hospital has told The Herald how the institution plans to cut its bed numbers from 240 to 140 by 2011.

In an exclusive interview, Andreana Adamson revealed that male patients not requiring the high security of the State Hospital would be moved to medium secure units such as the Orchard Clinic in Edinburgh, which is part of the Royal Edinburgh, and the Rowanbank Clinic in Glasgow, on the Stobhill site.

In those units, they would be subject to less stringent rules and eventually allowed out on their own. Patients can be moved from Carstairs only if they are considered not to pose a major risk to the public.

The move follows concerns that, under the European Convention on Human Rights, patients kept in an “excessive” level of security could sue the government. It is also dictated by new national mental health policy to provide appropriate local services where possible.

A Highland councillor is concerned that the authority has agreed to reduce spending on services to people with learning difficulties by £400,000 without saying how the saving is to be achieved.

Vulnerable young people throughout Scotland who need help to move smoothly from school into adult life will benefit from expert advice under plans announced today.

THE floodgates are set to open within weeks for compensation awards to thousands of abuse victims, with a legal ruling which will overturn a ban on historical claims.

A RETIRED police office who collected some of the worst child pornography seized in Scotland was jailed yesterday for two years and three months.

Free testing kits for one of the most common sexual diseases are to be left in pubs around Orkney to save local people’s embarrassment from going to their GP.

Charities trying to tackle some of Scotland’s worst health problems say they are struggling to work productively with the NHS.

A survey published today reveals almost 40% find it difficult to assist the Scottish health service, even though services are stretched and partnership working is required by law.

One organisation spoke of the NHS paying “lip service” to the voluntary sector.

Another said they were locked in a power battle with public bodies because of shortages of funding.

Voluntary Health Scotland, which represents more than 300 voluntary and community groups, commissioned the research. Well-known bodies including the British Red Cross, Barnardo’s and Age Concern Scotland took part.

The study focused on the drive to improve the health of the population and keep people out of hospital. This is the principal aim of Community Health Partnerships (CHPs), which bring together NHS, council and other workers in an area to manage community health care.

Seven new teams dedicated to dealing with anti-social behaviour and community safety issues have been launched in Edinburgh.

Perth and Kinross’s community warden scheme is to be extended to help tackle crime and the fear of crime.

The Scottish Government has given one of the strongest indications to date that children’s cancer services in Aberdeen will be saved.