Police have started an investigation into allegations of neglect and abuse at a care home in Braintree following a BBC Panorama documentary.
The programme, which aired last night (April 30), appeared to show incidents of maltreatment at the Old Deanery Care home, taking place as recently as November.
Eight were initially suspended after the allegations came to light, before one of them was sacked.
And today, after the programme was broadcast, six of that original eight have now been dismissed.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "The BBC's Panorama programme was viewed by detectives and, as a result, an investigation has now begun."
"If members of the public wish to report any allegations of crime relating to this matter they are asked to contact Essex Police."
The Old Deanery was sold by a private owner to investment company, August Equity, in November last year and along with St Mary's Court next door, made more than £1M pre-tax profits last financial year
A statement released on the care home's website today, from Anglian Retirement Homes Ltd, reads: "Having seen the programme and their evidence for the first time on Wednesday night, we have today summarily dismissed six more staff and a further case is being urgently reviewed.
"The care worker responsible for slapping a resident had been summarily dismissed earlier in the week after an independent investigation secured a statement from an eye witness.
"We care passionately about our residents and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
"These incidents involved a small number of staff and are not reflective of the high standards of care which we expect and demand from all of our team."
The statement adds that Panorama did not disclose the footage to the care home before the show.
