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Scots consultation 'must lead to action' New Scottish executive proposals to protect vulnerable adults from abuse must not fall by the wayside like previous plans, a charity has warned.

Gary FitzGerald, chief executive of charity Action on Elder Abuse, said the executive had failed to implement proposals on protecting vulnerable adults included in two previous consultations in the past three years, and was concerned this could happen again.

"The executive is saying that if there is support for legislation as a result of the consultation then it will introduce a bill when an opportunity arises. That implies that unless people say we need this then it won't happen - it's not a very encouraging start," said FitzGerald.


He claimed Scotland had fallen behind the rest of the UK on the issue and warned that people placed on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list in England - which bans them from working with adults there - could still work in Scotland.

However, FitzGerald supported many of the consultation proposals, such as the compulsory creation of adult protection committees, which are similar to those for children.

• The Protection of Vulnerable Adults consultation runs until 23 September. From www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/55971/0015380.pdf