Hospital staff filmed 'abusing patients' and waging 'psychological warfare'

Hospital staff have been caught on hidden camera allegedly abusing vulnerable adults by physically restraining, mocking and intimidating them, leading to a police probe.



Footage from an undercover investigation at NHS-funded Whorlton Hall has apparently exposed horrifying mistreatment of patients with learning disabilities or autism and shocking language used by staff.



One care worker called a patient a “fat c**t”, while another said the hospital was a “house of mongs”, it is claimed.



Another patient was told by a care worker that her family were "f***ing poison", and footage shows various incidents of physical restraint.



Experts have said the culture at the privately-run hospital was "deviant" and there was evidence of "psychological torture".



Sixteen employees have been suspended by hospital owner Cygnet after an undercover probe into the Co Durham hospital by BBC Panorama, which aired last night.