To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been added to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list since it was set up; and how many and what proportion of those were care home managers. (102394)

As at 31 October 2006, the latest date for which figures are available, there have been 5,439 referrals made to the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) list, which was established on 26 July 2004.

Data by occupation are not recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. According to a study carried-out by the Kings College London on behalf of the Department in July 2005, out of the first 100 referrals made to the POVA list, six care home managers were referred, of which one care home manager was confirmed on the POVA list. The detail of the study is available at:

www.dh.gsi.gov.uk/pova.

In a current study being carried out by Kings College London, out of a sample of 300 referral cases, 16 care home managers were referred of which eight cases were confirmed on the POVA list. This study will be published shortly.