FOOTAGE of young people with learning difficulties being mentally and physically abused at a Hambrook care home has been condemned by government ministers.

Local MP Jack Lopresti said the film, obtained by undercover reporter Joe Casey who posed as a support worker for the BBC’s Panorama programme, showed scenes at Winterbourne View Care Home which amounted to nothing less than ‘torture’.

The Filton and Bradley Stoke MP said: "To me the actions of some of the members of staff at Winterbourne View Hospital amounted to torture and assault against some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

"Serious failures were clearly made by those responsible for the patient’s well-being and care and these should be rectified and strong action taken as soon as possible."

Mr Lopresti has written to NHS South Gloucestershire, the Care Quality Commission and Castlebeck concerning the future of the facility.

NHS South West said it was "appalled" by the issues raised surrounding the care home, on Vantage Park industrial estate.

A spokesman said: "We always expect safe, high-quality care from providers of services and the abuse of vulnerable patients is totally unacceptable."

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said the ‘inhumanity’ shown in the footage, which featured patients being slapped, kicked, doused with cold water and left shivering outside in the cold, had no place in the care sector.

"The abuse of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View uncovered by Panorama is shocking," he said. "There can be no place for such inhumanity in care services.

"There have been failures of inspection and adult protection which have exposed people to appalling abuse.

"I am determined to strengthen the system of safeguarding to protect vulnerable adults from abuse."

Mr Burstow said he had already ordered a thorough examination of the roles of both government regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the local authorities.

Senior nurse Terry Bryan raised concerns about the home earlier this year but the CQC failed to follow them up.

Chairman Dame Jo Williams admitted there had been an ‘unforgivable error of judgement’.

She told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "I am absolutely determined that we must do better."

She said the whistleblower had apparently contacted the CQC two or three times.

"Once should have been enough," she said. "We have to listen to the people who are brave enough to raise their concerns."

Since the programme was aired on Tuesday night there has been a public outcry over the abuse was allowed to happen. Numerous Facebook groups have been set up calling for Winterbourne View to be closed down.

The company which runs the f24-bed facility, Castlebeck, apologised unreservedly and suspended 13 employees. It said a thorough independent investigation would be carried out.

Avon and Somerset police have arrested three men, aged 42, 30 and 25, and a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of assault and mistreatment under the Mental Capacity Act. They have all been released on police bail pending further inquiries.