BRITAIN. 3,000 Care Staff Accused of Abuse

LONDON (Sunday Mirror), October 30, 2005: Up to 3,000 health workers have been accused of neglect and abuse of seniors in the last year. Department of Health figures show more than 200 people a month were referred to a register set up to protect the elderly, mentally ill and people with learning disabilities. Neglect, physical and financial abuse were the top three reasons for being referred to the register. The vast majority of people reported to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Scheme since its launch last July were frontline workers, care assistants and support staff. The majority of reports also took place in private residential care homes. Last night Health Minister Liam Byrne, who is responsible for care services, described the figures as "horrifying". He will this week unveil a raft of measures to ensure people are treated with dignity and respect. He said: "Respect, dignity and choice must not be allowed to take a back seat just because care and support needs are high." By Racheal Ellis Sunday Mirror, London