THE government has announced more safeguards are to be put in place to protect adults from abuse following the public outcry over footage obtained at a Hambrook care home.

The BBC’s Panorama programme secretly filmed shocking scenes showing vulnerable adults with severe learning difficulties being physically and mentally abused at Winterbourne View care home, on Vantage Park industrial estate.

Since the programme aired last Tuesday (May 31) the government has said it is considering strengthening the rules on adult social care.

Health Minister Paul Burstow said he wanted to see more regulations in place for adults, bringing them in line with the safeguards for children in care.

Mr Burstow said: "It comes as a surprise to people that the statutory basis for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults in this country is much weaker than that which exists for children.

"I'm committed to follow through on some recommendations we have received recently from the Law Commission to implement statutory safeguarding rules that will require the police the NHS, social services to work together."

Further details of the tighter regulations are expected to be published within the next two weeks.

The Panorama programme showed patients being slapped, pinned down, doused with water and left outside in freezing conditions in abuse which has been likened to ‘torture’ by health professionals.

Four people, three men and one woman, have been arrested by Avon and Somerset police and remain on bail pending further inquiries. The owners of Winterbourne View, Castlebeck, has suspended 13 employees in the light of the Panorama programme and an independent inquiry has been launched.