A hospital's failings are to be exposed on television.

A nurse and cleaner went undercover for BBC1's Panorama at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton towards the end of last year.

They worked on the Peel and Stewart medical ward and, using hidden cameras, unveiled issues about the care of patients and the condition of the ward.

The programme, due to be screened next Wednesday, is expected to feature mainly the investigative work done by the nurse.

Exact details of the film have not been released as the programme is still being made and editing will finish close to the screening date.

It is the second of a two-part investigation by the Panorama team which last night showed a cleaner unveiling a catalogue of problems at a three-star hospital.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Peter Coles told a board meeting: "The investigation was provoked by complaints relating to the quality of care.

"Images and footage are expected to show unsatisfactory patient care and practices.

"We were aware there was a problem and have already made a number of changes on the ward. This has included the training and development of staff and things have improved since then.

"The problems have been substantially resolved.

"The incidents found on camera are regrettable and we are apologising to the affected patients and relatives involved."

An interview with Mr Coles is expected to be featured.

The programme is expected to cause more problems for the trust, which is already under fire. It has among the highest MRSA infection rates in England and patients have often complained about the condition of some of the wards, which are based in buildings more than 100 years old. It also has serious financial problems and is working to make more than £33 million savings this year so it can break even by the end of next March.

Mr Coles has already warned that redundancies cannot be ruled out, although they would be a last resort.

The trust is also facing mounting criticism over changes to accident and emergency services at its Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Seriously injured patients needing emergency surgery now have to go to the Royal Sussex instead.

People in Mid Sussex believe they are being short-changed and say lives could be put at risk by the shake-up.

This weekend also marks the start of changes with most emergency surgery done at the Royal Sussex and routine and booked surgery at Haywards Heath.

The trust is also expected to get another zero when the Government's annual star ratings are published later this month.

The programme is scheduled to go out at 9pm on Wednesday.