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‘You’re eating like a pig’: Portlethen care worker found to have caused emotional and physical harm to residents

The Scottish Social Services and Care Inspectorate offices, Riverside Drive, Dundee.
The Scottish Social Services and Care Inspectorate offices, Riverside Drive, Dundee.

A Portlethen support worker has received a warning after it was found she had been abusive towards those in her care.

Kath Meiklejohn was working for Cornerstone when the incidents occurred between 2016 and 2018.

Now the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has ruled her ability to deliver appropriate care was “impaired”, and have put a warning on her record for two years.

In their decision, the panel said: “There are eight instances where you have been rude, dismissive or physically abusive towards service users or have attempted to rush through care.”

During a hearing, the panel heard that during one incident in May 2016, Ms Meiklejohn grabbed a resident’s wrist while they were eating and took their spoon away.

When the resident attempted to apologise for nipping her, Ms Meiklejohn said “I’m not forgiving you” or words to that effect.

The panel also heard that Ms Meiklejohn was verbally abusive to residents and would withhold treats or privileges as punishment for disobedience.

One resident with cerebral palsy attempted to apologise for their behaviour but was met with the phrase “so you should be” or words to that effect.

‘Rude and dismissive’

Ms Meiklejohn also told the resident “you’re eating like a pig” or words to that effect, causing them distress.

While working as a care assistant for Cornerstone in 2019, Ms Meiklejohn mixed up important medication, which she administered in the morning instead of the evening.

The SSSC found that one resident, who was on a pureed diet, was put at risk by Ms Meiklejohn when she failed to cut up food small enough for the resident to prevent the risk of choking.

Their report stated: “On multiple occasions, you have treated service users in a manner that has caused them emotional and physical harm.

“Your attitude towards service user AA was rude and dismissive. You said to a service user on more than one occasion that they couldn’t do or get something if they didn’t do what you wanted them to do.

“In addition to this, you failed to prepare a service user’s foods in line with their dietary guidelines.”

The watchdog felt that her behaviour resulted in physical and emotional harm of service users and that there was also a serious risk of harm due to medication errors.

However, they acknowledged that Ms Meiklejohn had shown remorse for some of her actions. The panel also noted she had cooperated fully with the SSSC investigation and received positive feedback from her employer regarding her recent practice.

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