Charities and politicians are urging government action

The Commission for Health Improvement found that the level of care on Rowan Ward at Withington Hospital was "unacceptable" and condemned the trust - Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust - which administered it.

The NHS watchdog's investigation was instigated after reports of abuse on patients on the ward, which were never proven.

The trust has accepted the report's criticisms and said changes have been initiated to avoid a repeat of the situation.

Help the Aged said the report revealed how the needs of the elderly were being ignored.

Kathryn Willmington from the charity said: "This report is a shocking example of the low priority that older people's mental health services are given.

There were failings Andrew Butters, Manchester mental health trust Fears over elderly mental health care

"Services for older people with mental health problems must be completely overhauled."

She added staff were often unaware of what kind of training they were entitled to.

"We must move away from an environment whereby the practice on Rowan Ward is condoned, to services which are examples of good care, with well-trained staff and where older people are valued," she said.

'Additional resources

Ms Wilmington's comments were backed by mental health charity Rethink.

Paul Farmer, Rethink's director of public affairs, said: "This shocking report highlights how older mental health service users and their families have been forgotten and badly let down by the very services that are supposed to support and care for them.

"People should receive the same high quality services whether they are 18 or 80 - to give everyone the best chance of recovery.

"The CHI report shows that additional resources and cultural change are urgently needed so that the right staff levels and systems are in place to ensure we have a mental health service fit for the 21st century."

'Appalling treatment'

Liberal Democrat spokesman for the elderly, Paul Burstow MP, said: "This is another appalling example of institutionalised abuse of older people.

"It comes as evidence grows of the over-use of medication and chemical cosh restraints for the convenience of over worked staff.

"This is tantamount to imprisonment - not the care of the patients. "There is an urgent need for legislation to protect older people from abuse.

"The Government must ensure that services for vulnerable older people are not neglected.