TWO nurses have been suspended from working practice following alleged abuse at a private hospital in Hambrook. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has suspended the registration of Sookalingum Appoo and Kelvin Fore, who were both employed at Winterbourne View hospital on Vantage Park industrial estate.

A panel of the NMC investigating committee placed an Interim Suspension Order against the registration of both nurses pending a full investigation into allegations of serious breaches of the NMC code of conduct.

The NMC is the only authority with the power to stop nurses and midwives, whose conduct or competence has been called in question, from practising.

The move follows a BBC Panormama programme featuring undercover footage which appeared to show staff at Winterbourne View mentally and physically abusing adults with severe learning difficulties.

A total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with inquiries linked to allegations of abuse and mistreatment of patients. All have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.