Sanctions imposed on Inverness care worker who neglected service user and “uttered offensive remarks” after drinking
An Inverness care worker has been sanctioned after being convicted of neglecting a service user.
In January 2024, Rhona Duncan was convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for ill-treatment or wilful neglect of a service user, after she repeatedly left him alone and ignored him. She also “consumed alcohol, became intoxicated and uttered abusive remarks”.
She has now been sanctioned by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), with a warning placed on her registration for three years and conditions seeking proof her employer is aware of the warning and conditions imposed.
She will also have to provide proof of having undertaken learning concerning the SSSC Codes of Practice, the Health and Social Care Standards, Adult Support and Protection as well as the employer’s policy with regard to alcohol use at work.
In the notice of decision, the SSSC stated: “Social services workers, in whom the public and service users place their trust and confidence, are expected to act in a safe and responsible manner at all times, and not place service users at risk as a result of their actions.
“By being convicted of an offence of wilfully neglecting a service user by leaving him alone and ignoring him, and becoming intoxicated and uttering offensive remarks, you have failed to uphold the trust and confidence placed in you.
“If repeated, this behaviour could further expose a vulnerable service user to a risk of harm.
“The behaviour that resulted in your conviction amounts to a failure to provide an acceptable level of care and is therefore of a higher seriousness. While you provided comments to the SSSC, these failed to address the actual or potential impact of your behaviour on the service user. Given this lack of insight, regret, and apology, the SSSC considered there was risk of repetition present.
“Further, the nature of your conviction makes it apparent that there is a need to protect service users, and that a reasonable member of the public in receipt of all the information would consider the reputation of the profession to be damaged.”
The SSSC added, however, that the fact that her behaviour appeared to be an isolated incident was a factor in her favour.
