Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 6 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 June 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 June 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Elder Abuse

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data on the (a) nature and (b) volume of elder abuse has been collected to date as part of the Modernisation of Adult Social Care Research Initiative.

Answer: As part of the modernisation of adult social care initiative, a three-year study has been commissioned from the University of Hull looking at partnerships and regulation in protection of adults. The aim of the study is to examine the operation of the range of regulatory frameworks relevant to adult protection for all service user groups including older people. It is focusing on the system designed to identify and respond to incidents of abuse and the links between adult protection and criminal justice initiatives.A mapping exercise will be conducted to identify models of partnership working between different agencies and the extent of different regulatory frameworks. The researchers will also be undertaking interviews with a range of stakeholders including service users and their advocates. The study will be completed in 2006.

Secondary information