The government's health inspectorate said yesterday that it was seriously concerned about care for older people within the NHS, after a third investigation into local services found unacceptable standards.

Jocelyn Cornwell, acting chief executive of the commission for health improvement (CHI), said the NHS "did not seem to be learning" from criticisms and should be monitoring wards more closely.

The devastating verdict on poor management and low staffing levels in the Rowan ward at Withington hospital in south Manchester follows findings of unprofessional and cruel practices within North Lakeland NHS trust, and of patients being put at risk at Gosport war memorial hospital, Hampshire.

The Department of Health said it was about to propose work bans for those judged unsuitable to care for vulnerable adults in the NHS.

Gordon Lishman, director-general of Age Concern England, said the report "shows yet again appalling failures on older people's care".