I am not surprised that a damning expose of social services in Sussex has revealed shocking practices in two care agencies.

The same can be found in a number of nursing homes and care homes in the county.

The problem lies in the fact that too many care assistants are badly selected, ill-trained, underpaid and overworked.

Unless something is done to rectify the situation at whatever cost, there will be scandalous deaths and many old people will receive sub-standard treatment.

The Government need to establish a College of Care similar to the Royal College of Nursing.

This national body would be empowered to set care standards, ensure the careful pre-selection of those who wish to be carers and give them a training proper course.

This College of Care would act as a disciplinary body with an established code of practice and the power to revoke the licence of any carer in breach of that code.

Unless we raise standards, carers and clients will suffer from unscrupulous employers whose object is to make money at the expense of standards.

-Rev John Webster, Hove