Care worker struck off after abuse of dementia sufferer

A care worker who barricaded a frail dementia sufferer in a room before allowing her to fall to the ground has been struck off.

Margaret Stewart then stood over the 80-year-old resident of the Northlands Care Home in Blairgowrie and told her “you did this to yourself”.

A conduct sub-committee of the Scottish Social Services Council ordered her to be removed from the register after finding many accusations against her proved.

During the incident, which took place on April 28 last year, Stewart snatched a plug from the pensioner, referred to as AA during proceedings, and shouted at her before dragging her from the dining room to her bedroom by the wrist.

Once at the bedroom Stewart left the woman in a state of distress and prevented her from leaving the room by holding the door shut from the other side.

The elderly patient fell over when Stewart let go of the handle but failed to get her medical aid and told her the incident was her own fault before walking away.

The council heard that Stewart worked at the care home for 15 years and was an “experienced” care assistant.

The committee decided that Stewart’s behaviour was deliberate and had caused harm to the woman and had the potential to cause even more harm.

They noted that Stewart showed no regret or remorse for the incident and felt that retraining was not an option.