{mosimage}More than three million pensioners will suffer from mental health problems by 2021 unless action is taken to promote mental wellbeing in the ageing population, according to a report put before the Scottish Parliament. It warns that elderly people are prone to suffer problems as a result of poverty, loneliness, and poor physical health, and called on local authorities, the Scottish Executive, and NHS to develop programmes to ensure they are kept engaged with society. The first report by the independent UK inquiry into mental health and wellbeing in later life, backed by Age Concern and the Mental Health Foundation, found there were 2.4 million elderly people in the UK with depression severe enough to impact on their quality of life.

A well-known treatment for severe acne produced depressive behaviour in mice when it was given to them as part of a scientific study, according to research published yesterday. Roaccutane, which has already been linked to claims it causes depression and suicide in patients, left the animals immobile for longer periods than normal during stress tests.

New rules aimed at tackling prostitution threaten to drive the sex trade “underground”, campaigners warned yesterday.Currently only someone selling sex can be prosecuted for soliciting. But the Prostitution Bill, published by the Scottish Executive yesterday, will allow police to prosecute both the buyers and sellers of sex as long as they are judged to be causing “nuisance, alarm or offence”.

Scotland’s champion for older people in care homes has established a vital learning network to support staff to share and develop their practice and improve the standard of care. Thousands of care home workers, from the public, private and voluntary sectors will have the opportunity to exchange and share vital lessons they learn on the job. The pioneering move will help staff address some of the thorniest issues in care homes – including nutrition, end of life care and caring for people with dementia.

A care worker was yesterday convicted of bullying residents in a nursing home dementia unit. Ken Bowie, 43, pushed elderly residents, pulled an old woman’s hair, and swore aggressively at confused dementia patients. When one confused woman – known for walking about in tears and asking helplessly “where will I go?” – tapped him on the shoulder in a corridor, he replied “Mary, go to f***”.

T IS 14 and lives with her father, a chronic alcoholic. She was sexually abused by one of his friends, who raped her soon after her 12th birthday in 2003. This was reported to the police and social workers, leading to the man’s conviction. Her friend, M, was present during the ordeal and had been sexually abused in front of T, and therefore there was corroboration on the girls’ statements.

Children are still being subjected to harrowing courtroom ordeals because measures intended to protect young witnesses have failed, The Scotsman can reveal. An investigation has found a raft of recommendations to support children in court have not been introduced, five years after they were promised.

The number of girls involved in crime has increased by more than 40% in just five years. More than 4200 female offenders were referred to Scotland’s children’s hearing system in 2005-06, new figures revealed yesterday. That is up from fewer than 3000 in 2000-01, as increasing numbers of girls become sucked into a culture of fighting, drinking and thieving.

Tory Party chairman Francis Maude has held talks with two gay organisations in Edinburgh during a visit north of the Border. Leaders of Stonewall Scotland briefed him on reforms to adoption laws here which will allow same-sex couples to adopt jointly. And later he met staff and lesbian and gay activists at LGBT Scotland. Mr Maude’s brother Charles died of Aids in 1993. And earlier this year the politician criticised the homophobic attitude of the Thatcher government.

Scotland’s First Minister, Jack McConnell, has given assurances that experts will be brought in to help bring about changes at an under-fire social work department. The Social Work Inspection Agency has reported a string of failings in social work services in Dumfries and Galloway. Galloway and Upper Nithsdale Tory MSP Alex Fergusson highlighted the “catastrophic” situation. Mr McConnell said action was being taken over the report but added that external experts would also be used.