Elderly dementia patient ‘dragged by her ankles’
Two nurses are suspended as hospital probes claims of abuse
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into claims that an elderly dementia patient was dragged by her ankles along a hospital corridor by a nurse.
Two nurses at Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow have been suspended pending an investigation.
The patient, in her 70s and suffering from arthritis, was said to have been pulled almost 100 yards from a dining hall to her room at the hospital by one nurse.
Another nurse is also being probed over the alleged incident, which was said to have been witnessed by a visitor to the Cuthbertson dementia ward.
A hospital insider said: “The patient has challenging behaviour which is why she is in hospital.
“A senior nurse put her to the floor in the dining area in front of patients and staff.”
The investigation will look at claims that a male nurse dragged her by the ankles while on her back up the corridor to her room and left her there distressed.
The dementia patient’s alleged ordeal is reported to have happened on Wednesday, October 25, at 5.30pm, a time the ward is usually free of visitors and management.
The insider added: “One nurse is being investigated for allegedly dragging the patient and another is being probed in relation to the incident.”
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that two members of staff have been suspended from duty at Gartnavel Royal pending a disciplinary investigation.
“A full investigation will now take place.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Every patient has the right to expect the highest standards of care and to be treated with dignity in our hospitals.
“A full and thorough investigation is being carried out as a matter of urgency into this incident.”