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Winterbourne care home staff warned prior to TV expose Winterbourne care home staff warned prior to TV expose
(40 minutes later)
Staff at a care home accused of serious abuse in a TV expose were warned not to punish patients three months before filming began, the BBC has learned. Staff at a care home accused of abuse in a TV expose were warned about the abuse of patients three months before filming began, the BBC has learned.
Secret filming by the BBC's Panorama programme showed mentally-ill residents being pinned down, slapped, doused in cold water and repeatedly taunted.Secret filming by the BBC's Panorama programme showed mentally-ill residents being pinned down, slapped, doused in cold water and repeatedly taunted.
Employees at Winterbourne View Hospital near Bristol were warned about their behaviour by e-mail in November 2010. An e-mail sent to employees at Winterbourne View Hospital near Bristol raised concerns in November 2010.
Hospital owner Castlebeck says it was not told of any issues before May 2011.Hospital owner Castlebeck says it was not told of any issues before May 2011.
'Nicknames''Nicknames'
The e-mail, sent by a hospital manager and seen by the BBC, said patients had complained of being teased during restraint, forced to swallow medication, threatened, restrained when it was not warranted, and called nicknames other patients were adopting. The e-mail, sent by a hospital manager to support workers and nurses and seen by the BBC, said patients had complained of ill treatment.
It read: "My worry is that these may be happening and some of you do not feel comfortable to challenge what you see. The manager said they alleged they had been teased during restraint, forced to swallow medication, threatened, restrained when it was not warranted, and called nicknames other patients were adopting.
The e-mail read: "My worry is that these may be happening and some of you do not feel comfortable to challenge what you see.
"I have always said (you have it now again in black and white) I do not condone ANY practice that is less than bespoke for this type of service.""I have always said (you have it now again in black and white) I do not condone ANY practice that is less than bespoke for this type of service."
The manager said in the e-mail, dated 28 November, that the five allegations, called "safeguarding concerns", were raised in the "last two months".The manager said in the e-mail, dated 28 November, that the five allegations, called "safeguarding concerns", were raised in the "last two months".
The concerns were reported, according to protocol, to the "safeguarding board" for vulnerable adults at the local authority - South Gloucestershire Council.The concerns were reported, according to protocol, to the "safeguarding board" for vulnerable adults at the local authority - South Gloucestershire Council.
The council's leader of the Labour group, Councillor Andy Perkins, told the BBC he was really surprised he had not been told about any concerns when he presided over the social services committee last November.The council's leader of the Labour group, Councillor Andy Perkins, told the BBC he was really surprised he had not been told about any concerns when he presided over the social services committee last November.
The private home, which is taxpayer-funded, is to be investigated by the Care Quality Commission.The private home, which is taxpayer-funded, is to be investigated by the Care Quality Commission.
On Wednesday, Labour health spokeswoman Baroness Thornton added her voice to calls for a public inquiry into the alleged abuse.On Wednesday, Labour health spokeswoman Baroness Thornton added her voice to calls for a public inquiry into the alleged abuse.
Speaking in the House of Lords during an urgent question on the subject, she told peers she wanted a wide-ranging, independent review to "shine a light" on events and allow lessons to be learned.Speaking in the House of Lords during an urgent question on the subject, she told peers she wanted a wide-ranging, independent review to "shine a light" on events and allow lessons to be learned.
Police this week arrested two women, aged 22 and 21, and three men, aged 58, 40 and 28. Last week, a woman and three men were arrested and all nine have been released on police bail.Police this week arrested two women, aged 22 and 21, and three men, aged 58, 40 and 28. Last week, a woman and three men were arrested and all nine have been released on police bail.
Hospital owner Castlebeck says its senior board members were not made aware of any issues - as it should have been - at any time before May.Hospital owner Castlebeck says its senior board members were not made aware of any issues - as it should have been - at any time before May.
It has apologised and suspended 13 employees - including the manager who wrote the e-mail.It has apologised and suspended 13 employees - including the manager who wrote the e-mail.
The vulnerable patients filmed by Panorama have been moved to safety.The vulnerable patients filmed by Panorama have been moved to safety.