§ 20. Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the abuse of elderly people. [169843]
§ Dr. LadymanSince 1997 the Government have been active in promoting better and more consistent standards of care for older people through the publication and implementation of the National Service Framework for Older People and National Minimum Standards of care for a range of services. Raising standards of care is the best way to minimise abuse and neglect. In addition the statutory guidance "No Secrets" provides a national framework for local councils and partner agencies to use in developing local multi-agency codes of practice to prevent and tackle abuse. Local codes of practice had to be in place by October 2001. Shortly, the Government will also implement the1464W Protection of Vulnerable Adults scheme, which will act as a work force ban on those that have harmed vulnerable adults in their care.