§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will provide to health authorities and social service departments advice on the signs to look for in identifying abuse of elderly people by their relatives;
(2) what instruction is given to training doctors and social workers in identifying why elderly people are physically abused by their relatives.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI do not consider that it would be appropriate for the Department to give such advice. The identification of abuse of elderly people is essentially a matter for professional judgment in the individual case. It would be for the professional bodies concerned to prescribe any special training.