What to do if you're worried about an adult

If you know or suspect that an adult is being abused, harmed or neglected, let us know so we can do something about it.

Abuse can happen to anyone and anywhere - in someone's own home, in a care home or hospital, or out in the community.

If a person is in immediate danger

If a person is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

If you're deaf or hard of hearing you can send the police an emergency SMS text message to 07786 220022 or text phone 18001 999.

If the person isn't at risk of immediate harm

If you're worried about an adult but you don't feel they're in immediate danger, you still need to tell us about it as soon as possible. Call 01226 773300 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

If you're deaf or hard of hearing you can use our BSL video relay service to contact us.

You can also share your concerns with a trusted professional, such as a GP or nurse.

Out of hours emergencies

To report an urgent concern outside of office hours, call our emergency duty team on 01226 774466. The team work on weekends and bank holidays and deal with issues that can't wait until our usual office opening hours.

What we'll do when you contact us

If you contact us as you're worried about an adult, we'll listen to your concerns and take you seriously. We'll decide which the most appropriate agency to work with you is, and can visit you or the adult at risk to find out what's happening.

We'll work with you or the person being abused to investigate and establish the facts, and can help you to report the abuse to the police or other agencies who may be able to help with an investigation.

Contacting the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are the independent regulator of health and social care in England. You can:

• contact the CQC online
• call the CQC on 03000 616161
• write to the CQC at: CQC National Customer Service Centre, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA