DH: Allegations must be dealt with robustly

No-one should suffer abuse or neglect in a place they are meant to feel safe in, whether this is in their own home or in a care setting.

It is encouraging that people are coming forward and making allegations where they have concerns because it allows the police, councils and the regulators to investigate them swiftly and robustly, as they must.

But we also need to make sure everything possible is done to protect people from abuse wherever it might take place.

This is why we have introduced a new Chief Inspector for Social Care who will hold local areas to account for abuse. We are also currently considering new measures to make directors of care homes and hospitals that allow neglect and abuse to take place personally and criminally accountable for failures in care.