Hospital nurses could soon be issued with “Welsh uniforms” so that patients can easily identify their roles. Other ideas include restricting visiting times so patients get more rest, and boosting the role of ward sisters to raise hospital cleanliness.

Health Minister Edwina Hart has pledged “zero tolerance” of violence and aggression towards NHS staff in Wales. Unions, who said there were 7,000 cases a year, welcomed a new taskforce to tackle the problem “head on”.

Work is due to start in the next few weeks on a new £133m hospital for Caerphilly, say health officials. An artist’s impression has been unveiled of the new Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, which will be built near Ystrad Mynach.

Homelessness in rural Wales has risen at almost twice the rate of urban areas over the past three decades, according to a social research charity.

Plaid has expressed concern over staffing levels in care homes following figures showing a dramatic drop.

PSP Healthcare, the rapidly expanding elderly nursing and care home group managed by brothers Preyen and Shrien Dewani together with their father Prakash, are delighted with the recent planning permission for a pioneering Care Village at the site of their leasehold Nursing home in Monmouth, South Wales.

Detectives are continuing to question a man who was arrested in connection with a “horrific” attack on a 75-year-old woman in her home.

WALES’ new Counsel General, Carwyn Jones, has launched a debate about the creation of a separate criminal justice system for Wales.

A senior South Wales Police official cleared of rape and assault earlier this year, has left the force by “mutual agreement”, it has emerged.

Kidney patients in Wales are suffering “Third World” conditions with renal units at breaking point, claims a charity.