Second care home worker is struck off over abuse

A RUCHAZIE care home supervisor has been struck off for placing a sheet over the head of a resident and pushing their head into a mattress – just two months after her colleague was found guilty of assaulting a resident.

Wilma Strang was removed from the register after a catalogue of abuse towards against four residents while at Craigend Gardens Care Home came to light.

The incidents began in 2016, after pushing the resident, known only as C, into the mattress, she referred to their daughter as “a b ****** ” and said “you’re covered in s **** , don’t lift your hands to me” causing the resident to become distressed.

Later that month, she placed her thumb and forefinger at each side of another resident’s mouth in order to push it open, causing injury to the resident.

The shocking behaviour continued as she blasted another resident, known only as A, with a barrage of abuse.

She locked herself in a room with the man and called him foul names before running towards him as if he was going to chase him along the corridor. The former care worker then told the man: “Lift your hands to me again and I’ll break your wrists.”

She added, in the presence of two colleagues, “if there was no one around I would have battered him” and told her colleagues she felt like strangling the resident.

A third resident, identified as B, was also subjected to abuse.

It isn’t the first time staff at the home have come under fire. In June, Mary Nicholson was stripped of her registration by the Scottish Social Services Council after being found guilty of assaulting an 81-year-old man at the home in February 2016.

She picked a piece of food off the ground and shoved it into his mouth “against his will”.

A Care Inspectorate spokesman said: “These were shocking and distressing

‘‘ These were shocking and distressing cases

cases. We are satisfied that in both cases the care provider took the appropriate action by immediately suspending the staff and making referrals to relevant agencies.

“We have followed up on these matters, which took place in 2016, in subsequent inspections of this care home and have reported on our findings. We continue to inspect the home regularly.

“Anyone with a concern about a care home can contact us on 0345 600 9527.”

A spokesman for the care home, which has been taken over by new owners since the two women were let go, said it could not comment on matters which took place under previous ownership. A CAMPAIGN to link Oatlands to Glasgow Green has paid off with a new £1.5 million bridge opening.

Residents and politicians gathered to officially launch Polmadie Footbridge, which has been reinstated after three years.

In May 2015, a routine inspection revealed that continued use of the previous bridge could potentially lead to its collapse.

The 60-year-old bridge was immediately closed and by June 2016 the bridge deck was demolished, with the supporting piers left in place.

Locals, led by resident Tony Lawson, set up a campaign to have the bridge reopened and repaired.

The 103metre long bridge has been built upon the original piers with the approach ramp designed to ensure it is accessible for disabled people.

Polmadie Footbridge will act as a link to Route 75 of the National Cycle Network.