The issue of care standards will come to the fore again when the Francis report into the Mid Staffs Trust is published on Wednesday.

BBC: Unidentified nursed working on medical records

It brought dozens of new politicians to the fore, and redefined the debate on issues including health care and spending in a way that put Democrats on the defensive.

WSJ: Rebel Movement Takes Center Stage

That question has been well to the fore this week with the High Court ruling that Swindon Primary Care Trust's decision not to fund Herceptin for breast cancer sufferer Ann Marie Rogers was not unlawful.

BBC: South: Health dilemma

Sooaklingum Appoo, 58, of Downend, and Kelvin Fore, 33, from Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to wilfully neglecting patients in their care.

BBC: Winterbourne View: Care worker's victim 'loved pain'