Winterbourne View hospital abuse report set to be released

Winterbourne View was closed following secret filming by the BBC's Panorama programme

The government has said it will publish an initial report into the lessons learned following the abuse of patients at a private hospital near Bristol.

The report follows secret filming by BBC's Panorama at the Castlebeck-owned Winterbourne View.

It will cover "actions and solutions" to guard against any future abuse of people with learning disabilities.

Nine people have admitted abuse charges. Two others will face trial at Bristol Crown Court in the summer.

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

It has since been bought by Glenside Manor Healthcare Services who will reopen it as a neurological rehabilitation centre.

In a written statement to the House of Commons, health minister Paul Burstow said a serious case review would be published later in the year.

But "in recognition of the seriousness of this issue" an interim report would be published before parliament's summer recess.