HEALTH and social care personnel from both sides of the border joined forces at a recent European Union cross border workshop in Cavan, to discuss the issue of protecting adults who may be vulnerable to abuse.

The aim of the event was to generate discussion and explore the differences on both sides of the border in relation to the protection of adults who may be prone to abuse by others due to their health, disability or age. When factors such as rural isolation, economic dependence on social welfare and reliance on increasing family support are added to the mix, the risk to vulnerable adults is substantially increased.

The event was attended by representatives from both jurisdictions including the Departments of Health, regulatory and professional bodies, the police and justice systems, services for older people and people with disabilities.

Explaining the background to the project, organiser Bernie Gibbons, Project Manager for CAWT said: "With increasing cross border mobility of both learning disabled people and professionals who support them, it is essential that we create opportunities for sharing understanding, knowledge and skills around the issue of vulnerability and protection from a cross border perspective."

The workshop was co-chaired by Tadhg O'Brien, Assistant National Director for Primary, Continuing and Community Care, HSE Dublin North East and Yvonne Gregory, Executive Officer for CAWT and facilitated by an expert in this area, consultant Colm Lehane.

Although current approaches to the issue differ on each side of the border, both of these speakers emphasised the need for a more strategic approach to both the prevention of and response to abuse situations, which is essential for reducing the numbers of cases that occur. Brendan Johnstonfrom the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, emphasised this point by saying, "we all need to agree on how we can help one another, because it won't happen by itself".