The Social Services Inspectorate is looking for volunteers from all walks of life in London, the south, the west and the north of England to help inspect the way social service departments provide services for children, older people and people with disabilities.
People from different communities and all walks of life are invited to apply. The qualities inspectors are expected to posses include being observant, methodical and able to represent and support their views. 

The announcement by Prime Minister Tony Blair in April that walk-in centres would be set up to provide information and treatment for minor conditions has prompted widespread interest. Some 60 Primary Care Groups, GP out-of-hours co-operatives, Health Authorities and NHS Trusts have, so far, come forward with proposals for becoming walk in centres.
Centres will offer patients more flexible primary care from 7am until 10pm weekdays and at weekends and no appointment will be necessary.