The mother of a toddler who was kidnapped and sexually abused by a convicted paedophile has called for an immediate change in the law. Craig Sweeney, 24, who took the three-year-old from her home in Cardiff was last week sentenced to life but can seek parole after five years. The girl’s mother has called for tougher sentencing adding the attack did “terrible damage” to her daughter. She said: “He should have had life and life should mean life”

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has stepped up its work in Wales with the appointment of an experienced Practice Development Manager, Vicky Allen, to focus on work in the region. Vicky will work with SCIE’s key stakeholders in Wales – including the Care Council for Wales , the Welsh Assembly Government and the Social Services Improvement Agency – to develop good practice and ensure that social care practitioners and service users benefit from SCIE’s work.

A residential drug rehabilitation centre is to more than double the number of people it helps after a £550,000 European grant. The Rhoserchan Project, based near Aberystwyth, has used some of the Objective 1 money to buy new premises.

More patients with terminal illnesses should be given the choice of dying at home, according to a cancer charity. Marie Curie called on the Welsh Assembly Government to put more money into palliative care outside hospitals.

MP and former minister Alun Michael has joined criticism over a paedophile’s “lenient” sentence by saying judges must “wake up and smell the coffee”. He was speaking after the home secretary hit out at the sentence and called on the attorney general to act – sparking a political row.

Doctors at a south Wales hospital say they are alarmed at the number of bodybuilders needing treatment after the misuse of anabolic steroids. The Royal Glamorgan in Llantrisant has recently seen as many as one case a week, the BBC has learned.

In the wake of searing criticism of the Welsh Ambulance Service, its former chairman has added to the debate saying it was under funded from the start. Roy Norris’ comments follow those of ex-chief executive Roger Thayne, who said the service was in “crisis” and failings are costing 500 lives a year.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has stepped up its work in Wales with the appointment of an experienced Practice Development Manager, Vicky Allen, to focus on work in the region.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has welcomed Aberdare Magistrates’ decision to fine Parkcare Homes Ltd £8,000 and pay £10,608 in costs after a resident at one of their care homes suffered a broken arm whilst being lifted out of a bath.

John Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services discusses the launch of the National Service Framework for Older People in Wales