‘Dementia champion’ struck-off after verbally abusing patient at Glasgow care home

A nursing home’s ‘dementia champion’ has been struck off for verbally abusing a patient with dementia.

A Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) hearing in Dundee heard how Marie McLaughlin, screamed abuse at the resident, calling him an “old c***” and a “paedo”.

McLaughlin, who while working at Whitecraigs Nursing Home in Thornliebank, Glasgow, also told a colleague that the patient could “f*** off, I’m not doing his room today”.

In another conversation with a colleague, she said the dementia sufferer “liked little girls” and that he “will be going upstairs soon enough”.

McLaughlin initially denied the allegations but admitted in a letter to the SSSC panel that she had been verbally abusive to the man.

The hearing was also told how heard McLaughlin had received training on working with residents suffering from dementia and had taken on the role of “dementia champion” while employed at the home between December 2013 and June 2016.

However, after the offences were reported to management by two colleagues, McLaughlin was immediately suspended and sacked.

The SSSC ruled McLaughlin’s actions amounted to misconduct and her fitness to practise was impaired.

In summing up their decision, they said: “You used highly inappropriate and abusive language towards a vulnerable service user.  Your actions towards the service user were also aggressive and were considered by your colleagues to be intimidating.”

“There is also evidence that your colleagues found your behaviour shocking.”

“There is some suggestion that you may have been under a degree of stress at the time but nonetheless your actions placed patient AA and your colleagues at unnecessary risk of harm.”

McLaughlin has until August 12 to appeal the striking off order.

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