Inverness care worker fined after attacking nurse during nightshift
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An assault by a care worker on a staff nurse in a Church of Scotland care home in Inverness is now the subject of a second internal investigation.
The incident at Cameron House last October resulted in Jolanta Gorska being fined £350 after being found guilty after trial at Inverness Sheriff Court last week of assault to injury against agency nurse Lorna Mackenzie.
Now, Ms Mackenzie has spoken out to say she is shocked and concerned that Ms Gorska was not suspended from duty following the altercation over whether a window should be open or closed at 3am during a nightshift.
Ms Mackenzie (38), of Culloden, said: "I feel that relatives need to be made aware that their relatives are being looked after by a carer who was formally charged and found guilty still being able to work with incapacitated residents. I contacted all related governing bodies."
Cameron House, in Culduthel Road, is operated by CrossReach the operating name of the Social Care Council of the Church of Scotland. Residents are mostly elderly people with dementia.
The nurse with 15 years experience, described the attack on her: "We were in the residents lounge and I was opening a window for some air because the place was absolutely roasting.
"Jolanta said 'Don't open that window' and when I did open it she ran at me in a fit of rage that came out of nowhere."
She said she was grabbed by the arms and both hands were scratched to the extent that she had an anti-tetanus injection. This was witnessed by another colleague who gave evidence at the trial.
Ms Mackenzie, who said she was awarded £20 compensation by the court, added: "I was trying to get away from Jolanta but I didn't retaliate and lower myself to that sort of behaviour. Fortunately, there were no residents around."
As well as the physical injury, she said that the incident had an adverse affect on her mental health.
Ms Mackenzie said she reported the incident to the home manager in the morning, informed the watchdog body the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and the police.
She told the Courier she queried with management how Ms Gorska was allowed to continue working, asking "How in a Christian run home is this acceptable," and said she never received a response.
A Church of Scotland spokesman said: "Cameron House is home to 30 residents and their safety and that of staff is our top priority, therefore any matters of concern are taken extremely seriously.
"On October 25, 2022, an isolated incident took place between a CrossReach employee and an agency nurse during a nightshift.
"No residents were involved in this altercation.
"The matter was investigated at the time and referred to the SSSC in line with best practice guidelines.
"In light of the outcome of the court case, a fresh internal review is now under way and it would be inappropriate to comment on confidential matters involving individual employees.”
The Kirk would not comment further when asked if Ms Gorska had been suspended.
The SSSC which considers issues such as fitness to practice, is also looking into the case in the wake of the court verdict, and will most likely invite all relevant parties to a hearing and report in due course.
An SSSC spokesperson said that they had been told about the incident, but the question of suspension was a matter for the employer.
