‘Speak out’ over adult abuse suspicions

THOSE with concerns about a vulnerable adult are being encouraged to act on suspicions and speak out in confidence.

Scotland’s first ever National Adult Protection Day will be held next Tuesday and is being supported by the East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and its partners.

It comes 10 years after the Adult Support and Protection Act was introduced in Scotland and is being used to remind people of the ‘Seen Something – Say Something’ campaign which urges action if you feel a vulnerable adult is at risk. Susan Manion, chief officer of East Dunbartonshire HSCP, said: “Last year, over 500 adult protection referrals were made in East Dunbartonshire, with numbers quadrupling since the Adult Support and Protection Act was introduced in 2008.

“This is largely thanks to concerned families, friends, carers and members of the public raising the alarm when a vulnerable person has been harmed, neglected or exploited. This means that we are now able to help many more people to keep safe and healthy at home and in the community. This is a timely reminder to us all of our duty to say something if we see something of concern.”

If you are worried about an adult at risk of harm, you can call the council’s contact centre on 0300 123 4510, email the social work team on socialwork@eastdunbar- ton.gov.uk or phone Police Scotland on 101.

Chief Inspector Gerry Corrigan said: “The joint work in East Dunbartonshire between the council, the NHS and Police Scotland has seen many significant successes.

“We have seen older people and people with disabilities who were sadly being physically and sexually harmed being kept safe and subsequently thriving through the use of banning orders and other measures.”