The Department of Health announced, on 11 December 2003, proposals to introduce the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) List from June 2004. The proposals are subject to consultation; the consultation period closed on 4 March. The consultation paper noted that:
"The Government intends to implement the POVA scheme from June 2004 in England and Wales. It will be commenced in the social care sector in the first instance. This approach is sensible, as there is strong evidence that most abuse of vulnerable adults occurs either in their own homes or in care homes. Several important issues need to be addressed in the NHS and independent health care sectors before POVA can be successfully extended into those sectors. However, this extension will follow as soon as is practically possible."