Britain's biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has described the groundbreaking report into home care services by the Equality and Human Rights Commission as shocking, and have called on the government to introduce a new law against elder abuse.

Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary said: "It is shocking that thousands of older people are systematically seeing their human rights being breached in their own homes almost on a daily basis. The social care system is in urgent need of reform - from improving the pay, training and qualifications of staff to better regulation and monitoring of care providers. Older people need greater legal protection from abuse and neglect otherwise the horror stories in this latest report will simply continue."

The NPC is set to launch a Dignity Code in the New Year which outlines the behaviour and practices that are unacceptable and explains how respect and dignity can be given to older patients who are unable to look after themselves.

Care minister, Paul Burstow MP has already declared his support for the code.