DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 16 October 2008
Views sought on
action needed
Care Services Minister Phil Hope today launched a consultation on
how to improve safeguarding policy - the protection of vulnerable
adults - and address abuse in all its forms in the care system.
The 'No Secrets' guidance for local authorities, the
police and the NHS to work together to protect adults is already
in place. The Government now wants to make sure it keeps up with
changes in the social care system, with the new emphasis on choice
and control and changing forms of abuse.
Key issues on which Government is seeking views are:
* Whether there is now a need for legislation,
* The
feasibility of a national database of recommendations from serious
case reviews where abuse has occurred
* What new measures are
needed in the face of increased 'personalisation' of
care with more people now being in charge of their own care
instead of local authorities
* What new measures are needed in
the face of changing forms of abuse, such as financial abuse
Phil Hope said:
"I am determined to improve safeguarding of vulnerable
people. We need a greater focus on prevention, a greater emphasis
on safeguarding in commissioning services and support, and greater
empowerment of people to determine how they wish to be
safeguarded. The No Secrets guidance must be updated to make sure
everyone - individuals, police, care agencies, the NHS and local
authorities prevent abuse, and also recognise it and stamp it out
if it does occur.
"The consultation is particularly relevant as more people
gain control of their own care. I want to help people maintain
this control and independence, free from fear of abuse. I look
forward to hearing people's views and will not hesitate to
take tough action to improve safeguarding for those in vulnerable situations."
The consultation on the review of No Secrets will run from 14th
October to 31st January 2009.
Notes to Editors.
The consultation can be found on the Department of Health website
at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Socialcarereform/Safeguardinganddealingwithabuse/index.htm
A review of the No Secrets Guidance on protection of vulnerable
adults was announced by Ivan Lewis in 2007
If you have any media enquiries, please contact the Department of
Health newsdesk, on 020 7210 5221