Abuse Claim Care Worker Suspended From Bristol Care Home

A care worker who allegedly witnessed abuse at a Bristol care home has been suspended.

The 18-year-old is one of five care workers who have given statements about incidents at Kingsmead Lodge in Shirehampton which are being investigated by police, social services and watchdog organisation, the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

None of the care workers allegedly involved in abuse has been suspended.

But the teenager, who looked after dementia patients at the nursing home, has been suspended on full pay after speaking out.

The care worker, who does not wish to be named, said: “I spoke to another care worker and later to a police officer about what I had seen. I was called into the office by Mark Butler, the operations director, who said I had broken confidentiality rules about residents.

“I witnessed something I didn’t think should happen in December and reported it to one of the senior care nurses.

“I thought it should be reported and that I was doing the right thing and now it seems as if I am being punished for it.”

The care worker signed a confidentiality agreement on February 4. Two days later she received a letter from Mr Butler, Mimosa Healthcare Ltd’s operations director, telling her she was suspended.

The company refused to comment on the suspension.

Mr Butler’s letter to the care worker says she breached the company’s confidentiality policy by “discussing details of a resident’s care with a member of the public”. It also says: “Despite you having had adult protection and whistle-blowing training, you failed to report an allegation of abuse that happened in mid-December.

“This matter is regarded as potentially gross misconduct under the company’s disciplinary procedures.”

The care worker said she had not been given adult protection or whistle-blowing training.

The company has a policy under which staff can report incidents, but some former care workers have said they felt an atmosphere at work which discouraged reporting.

Steve Norman, 51, from Shirehampton, the father of a former resident, said it was disgraceful that the care worker had been suspended.

He said: “This 18-year-old young lady came forward and gave a statement of what she had witnessed to me because she did not know what to do.

“It’s disgraceful that instead of supporting this whistle-blower, she is suspended and the alleged perpetrators of neglect and abuse are allowed to work.

“What a loud and clear message that sends to any potential whistle-blower.”

Mimosa Healthcare spokesman Tim Rudman said of the suspension: “We would not wish to comment while the investigation is going on.”