The Human Rights Act may be adjusted in order to protect elderly people living in care homes, it has emerged.

Hundreds of thousands of people living in privately-owned care homes on council funds may soon be defended against abuse if a court ruling is successfully overturned, the BBC reports.

Ministers intend to reverse the judgement which left some 300,000 people open to ill-treatment. In fact, last year the Select Committee on Human Rights found that 21 per cent of hospital and care homes did not meet minimum requirements for dignity and privacy.

The committee called for an "entire culture change" - something that may be instituted if UK ministers are successful.

It has been surmised by the BBC that some owners of such facilities will pose opposition to the increased bureaucracy that may be involved in such changes by claiming that common law provides enough provision for senior citizens.

However, Andrew Dimore, chairman of the Select Committee claimed last year that such practices are a betrayal of trust, stating: "Neglect and ill-treatment of the elderly is a severe abuse of human rights."