Scots consultation ‘must lead to action’

July 21, 2005 in Adult safeguarding

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.