Family’s anger at Bristol care worker who humiliated Iris, 93

RELATIVES of a 93-year-old woman humiliated by a care worker say they are angry with her and the management of the home where it happened.

June Davies was yesterday convicted by a jury at Bristol Crown Court of ill-treating Iris Cameron at Honeymead Care Home in Bedminster.

Her trial heard that instead of looking after Mrs Cameron, who has since died, senior healthcare assistant Davies made the dementia sufferer an object of fun, at one point thrusting her breasts into the pensioner’s face in front of other staff and residents. Davies’ own son and daughter were present during the incident.

Davies, 49, denied the incident happened but three of her former colleagues gave evidence against her and the jury took just three hours to reach a unanimous guilty verdict on a charge of ill-treatment or neglect.

Mrs Cameron’s daughter-in-law June, 63, of Hengaston Street, Bedminster, said: “Iris had dementia and it’s hard to say how she felt about what happened. The family has been stressed; it happened in May last year and we weren’t told until June there was an incident.”

Honeymead, in West Street, is a 68-place care home, which was given a zero-star or ‘poor’ rating by the Commission for Social Care Inspection after an inspection in April last year, a month before the incident. A later inspection gave a one-star or ‘adequate’ rating.

Mimosa Healthcare, owners of the care home, said that after the incident was reported: “We immediately suspended June Davies and Mimosa’s internal disciplinary procedures were instigated.”

The incident was referred to POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) by Mimosa and a subsequent investigation led to Davies’ dismissal.

Davies was bailed to be sentenced on June 3.