Private homes 'where no one gives a damn'

Private care homes have had a chequered history. New government regulations have led to soaring running costs, putting hundreds out of business.

Many more have increased their fees to meet higher overheads, forcing hundreds of frail and elderly people to move to cheaper homes because their local councils cannot, or will not, pay the extra rent. Violet Townsend, 88, died five days after she was ousted from her home of eight years when her local council said it could not afford to keep her there. Managers at the private Magdalen House in Gloucester ignored GPs' warnings that the move could kill her.

And there have been cases of rogue homes employing ill-qualified people at low wages.

There are reports of widespread neglect and individual abuse.

In November it was revealed that more than 22,000 pensioners are sedated in care homes to make them easier to "manage". Thousands more are woken to be washed and dressed at night so bosses can save on daytime staff.

The daughter of 81-year-old former chief inspector Charles Baldwin told how she discovered that staff at his east London care home removed light bulbs from his room and consistently failed to replace his drinking water. He was covered in bedsores and bruises.

She said: "This is you and me tomorrow and no one gives a damn."