TV inquiry care home staff charged

Ten staff at a care home at the centre of a BBC Panorama investigation into allegations of abuse of vulnerable patients were yesterday charged with a string of offences.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Nov 2011, 08:50 BST

They will appear before Bristol magistrates next month to face allegations of ill treatment and neglect of patients at Winterbourne View care home in Hambrook, south Gloucestershire.

The private hospital was closed by its owners after the programme broadcast in May undercover footage which appeared to show vulnerable residents being pinned down, slapped, doused in water and taunted.

Avon and Somerset Police said 10 people aged between 21 and 58 faced a total of 40 charges of ill treatment and neglect offences under the Mental Health Act against four victims. Three others remain on police bail pending further inquiries.

Since the allegations were first aired, the hospital’s owner Castlebeck has closed Winterbourne View and two other residential homes following concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).