BBC's Panorama programme on 31 May showed vulnerable adults at a care home allegedly being seriously mistreated by staff.

The programme showed footage of patients at the Winterview Unit, in Bristol, subjected to alleged physical and verbal abuse.

Four members of staff have been arrested, and 13 others suspended by the care home's owners.

An investigation into the home has been ordered by Social Care Minister Paul Burstow.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) set up to monitor the care sector is now being urged to make unannounced inspections to ensure patients are being properly looked after.

Veronica Male, a legal executive in the personal injury department at Access Legal from Shoosmiths said: "The footage shown in the programme is extremely distressing. The abuse it is claimed they have suffered highlights the neglect and attitudes allowed to prevail in some care homes.

"These vulnerable patients should be supported and able to live in a home that protects them from harm. It's disturbing to think that a previous employee reported abuses at the home to management and the CQC, but nothing was done."

Reports suggest the CQC will attend the Commons Health Committee on 22 June 2011 to explain its failure to address reports of abuse at the home.

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