Winterbourne View Hospital bought after abuse

The Winterbourne View care home was closed following secret filming by the BBC's Panorama

A private hospital near Bristol, where residents were secretly filmed being abused, has been bought and will become a neurological rehabilitation centre.

Glenside Manor Healthcare Services said it would invest £1.5m in refurbishing Winterbourne View which is expected to reopen as Glenside Bristol in 2013.

Nine people have admitted ill treating residents following the filming by the BBC's Panorama.

Two more face trial at Bristol Crown Court.

The hospital was owned by Castlebeck at the time of the abuse.

'Support and rehabilitation'

Twenty-four patients were transferred from Winterbourne View near Hambrook following the BBC investigation and the hospital was closed last June.

Dr Nick Moffatt, an independent consultant clinical psychologist who has worked with the Glenside team for 20 years, welcomed the move which will create about 100 jobs.

"Glenside already runs successful facilities in Salisbury and the services it offers are extremely beneficial to individuals and families faced with a brain injury to a loved one," he said.

Dr Moffatt added that in the Bristol area there was "a real need for the many levels of support and rehabilitation" Glenside provided.

Glenside will also provide training opportunities for nurses, allied health professionals and psychologists.