Probe into Nursing home fight

lil eva · Probe into Nursing home fight

AN investigation has been launched after a member of staff used her mobile phone to film two elderly women fighting in a nursing home.

The pensioners, both residents on the dementia unit at the Four Seasons private nursing home in Breightmet Fold Lane, Breightmet, were filmed as they argued.

Rather than helping the two women, the care worker used her mobile phone to capture the scuffle.

Council bosses have confirmed they have launched a full investigation into the incident and chiefs at the home insist action has been taken and that the footage has been deleted.

A council spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident involving a nursing home in Bolton which is being followed up in line with our procedures for ensuring the safety and protection of all vulnerable adults in the borough.

"The issue us currently being investigated and we are confident it is being dealt with appropriately. We will continue to work with all agencies until the issue has been resolved."

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The actions of the care worker were reported to management at the home by other members of staff.

Bosses at the Four Seasons refuse to say whether the member of staff involved has been sacked or suspended.

A spokesman for the home said: "This is an isolated incident which was brought to our attention by the vigilance of members of our staff.

"The mobile phone policy was not complied with.

"We notified the appropriate regulatory agencies and have worked closely with all external agencies. We take breaches of our policies and procedures very seriously and we have followed our stringent internal processes."

A relative of one of the home's residents, who asked not to be named, said: "The incident happened in the dementia unit of the home where residents are most vulnerable to such abuse. We have been told no-one was injured or distressed but someone with dementia cannot tell you properly how they feel."

Ann Collins, chairman of the Bolton Association of Residential Care Homes, said: "This should not have happened and the person responsible should be severely dealt with. Privacy and dignity should be uppermost in care homes and these actions have stripped two residents of that completely.

"Mobile phones should not be allowed by members of staff under any circumstances. We're here to protect our dementia patients."

A spokesman for Age Concern said: "Carers are supposed to care, not make a mockery of those they care for. The law should require care staff to treat people with dignity and respect and at the moment the quality of care for older people can be far too low."

Chairman of Bolton Council's health scrutiny committee, Cllr Andy Morgan, said: "Abuse of trust of this kind is completely unacceptable. If proven, the staff concerned should have the full force of the law thrown at them and they should be prevented from working with vulnerable adults again in the future."

I dont know if i agree that mobiles should not be allowed under any circumstances,but they should be used in a responsible manner,which doesnt put anyone at risk and used away from the service users.
In no circumstances should the service users have their privacy and dignity compromised just so the staff can get get their kicks

Chrissy Canadian

omg that is just too disgusting for words. that is those people's home and they should be treated with respect! grrrrr makes me so bloody mad

lil eva

Makes me so mad too Chrissy.I work in a residential home for the elderly and any bad press tars all carers the same.
This is so untrue and it's about time some of the better homes and carers got recognition for the care they give and the difference they make for some of their service users.

Chrissy Canadian