§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to tackle abuse of the elderly. [153818]
§ Dr. LadymanThe abuse of vulnerable adults is of huge concern to the Government. The Government launched guidance titled "No Secrets" in March 2000, which required local councils and other authorities to develop their own locally based procedures to prevent vulnerable adult abuse. Directors of social services had to ensure that local multi-agency codes of practice were developed and implemented by 31 October 2001. In June this year the Government intend to introduce the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list, which in practice amounts to a workforce ban on those who have abused or mistreated vulnerable adults in their care.