§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the protection of vulnerable adults list will be implemented in healthcare settings. [164819]
§ Dr. LadymanThe Department remains fully committed to implementing the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) scheme for healthcare. The POVA scheme is being commenced in social care first as there is strong evidence that most abuse of vulnerable adults occurs either in people's own homes or in care homes. There remain problems with implementing POVA in healthcare settings. It is hoped to resolve these problems as soon as possible, with a view to fully implementing POVA during 2005.