A LACK of government action on measures intended to benefit older people is to be criticised at a national conference to be held in York.

The chairman of older people's charity Action On Elder Abuse will attack service shortcomings when he opens the event at the University of York next week.

The two-day event marks the tenth anniversary of Action On Elder Abuse, and will evaluate what has been accomplished in recent years.

The chairman, Peter Westland, makes no secret of his disappointment with recent legislation, intended to benefit older people, but which he claims has not been properly implemented.

He said: "Last year held so much promise but progress has been disappointingly slow. The government backtracked on some of the standards in residential care homes for older people, sending out confusing signals."

Mr Westland said the Government had failed to introduce a register of abusers and mandatory checks on home carers which left service users very vulnerable.

He also criticised the No Secrets document which was supposed to provide national guidance on protection of vulnerable adults. He said: "It has proved to be haphazard in its implementation because it is a not a mandatory requirement but merely guidance".

The conference will be held at the University of York on Monday and Tuesday. For more information phone Sue Grant on 020 8765 7000.

Updated: 12:21 Saturday, March 29, 2003