Twenty-three carers across Lancashire have been dismissed or are under investigation for abusing and mistreating patients, it has been revealed.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed eight cases involving physical abuse, four concerning financial and emotional abuse and five cases of verbal abuse across Lancashire County Council’s 17 care homes over the past two years.

At the time of the response, there had been 12 dismissals, two resignations and seven carers were still under investigation.

A council spokesperson said all complaints had been upheld, but that they did not hold information about the location where the abuse took place.

The council’s care homes look after elderly patients, as well as those with dementia, and vulnerable adults with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and mental disorders.

Daniel Blake, policy manager at Action on Elder Abuse, a national charity which helps to protect vulnerable adults, said: “That is a worrying number. It’s more than a case per home.

“I don’t think we have seen the plateau of the reporting of these types of case yet.”

Ann Mylie, Lancashire County Council's head of social care procurement, said: "The health and wellbeing of residents is of paramount importance.

“We have robust vetting procedures and effective guidance and training for all staff working in our resid-ential homes."

However, at a home in Burnley, the CQC report highlights a concern over the lack of references for some carers.