Inverness care workers warned over 'inappropriate behaviour' towards dementia patient
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Two Inverness-based care home support workers were found to have breached their code of conduct after inappropriate behaviour towards a patient with advanced dementia.
Lauren Oxley and Patricia Ryder, who are both employed at Cradlehall Care Home, have been issued with a temporary warning and condition on their registration as care home support workers, according to a recent Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) decision report.
The council found that in September 2021 both used "inappropriate handling techniques" and spoke abruptly to a patient, causing him to be in a state of distress.
Both were found in breach of the social workers' code of conduct after CCTV footage showed them grabbing the patient
Finding that they were "lacking reassurance when delivering care" the report also made clear that grabbing a patient is "not acceptable" and is "prohibited practice".
Among other inappropriate actions Ms Ryder was found to have pulled the patient by his knees, pulled off his trousers in an aggressive manner without warning or explanation and said, "Yeah, you think about what you’ve done to us ladies" in an abrupt manner.
Ms Oxley was also found to have swung the patient by the legs, held his legs down against the bed and laughed at them, saying, "Don’t hurt me, I’m a lady" or words to that effect.
Individual reports on both staff members each stated: "Poor communication in these circumstances was likely to heighten any distress suffered by AA (the patient) and contribute to any confusion at his surroundings.
"His confusion was likely to affect his levels of co-operation, which could then make his moving and handling more challenging and more confrontational.
"This made it more likely that AA could suffer physical injury from resisting your attempt to reposition him. This could also be upsetting given his lack of understanding at your intentions.
"The use of improper handling and communication techniques could have contributed to emotional distress and physical injury to those who use services.
"People who use services and their families trust social service workers with their health, safety and welfare.
"Performance which falls short of the standard expected not only reflects poorly upon you but upon the entire social services profession.
"While your actions were not intentionally harmful, a reasonable person would likely expect that a regulatory body such as SSSC will take measures to prevent a repeat of the behaviour."
A nine-month warning and condition on their registration has been imposed by the council to the social workers.
