‘Nasty’ carer struck off after bullying OAPs

She ranted at dementia residents and ignored pleas for help

A carer who manhandled a dementia patient and told another he would not get any dinner because he spilled his tea has been struck-off.

Joanne Docherty called vulnerable residents “idiots” during a rant at a pensioner in Johnstone’s Ranfurly Care Home.

She was hammered by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) after it upheld a slew of complaints against her.

Docherty ranted at an OAP – referred to only as ‘AA’ – and told him he could go hungry after he knocked over his cup.

She was axed from her job after a two-day disciplinary hearing in Dundee and barred from working in the industry after staff gave evidence against her.

A panel report told how a colleague – referred to as ‘ YY’ – watched in horror as Docherty bullied the man.

It stated: “She described being in the corridor and hearing you say to one of the residents, ‘ I have been up since half four to get ready and listen to idiots like you’, or words to that effect.

“She described your conduct as ‘nasty’.

“Your tone changed when you saw her.

“When AA had spilled his tea, you shouted ‘no’ at him.

“Then you told him he would not get any more tea because he had spilled it. She saw AA become upset.

“You shouted at AA, ‘ If you don’t be quiet you will not get your dinner’, or words to that effect.”

The panel heard YY – a domestic at the home, who had worked with Docherty for around a year – also witnessed her refusing to help the man when he was lying awkwardly in bed and begging for help.

She told how the pensioner’s legs were hanging out the bed as he pleaded “help, help”.

But Docherty turned her back, claiming: “He always does that”.

The cleaner told how she began taking notes about the carer’s behaviour after noting failures in care “a couple of times” in a matter of just weeks.

Docherty was also rapped for shoving another elderly man with dementia during a row at the Quarrelton Road home.

A colleague told how she saw her former pal push the frail resident – referred to as ‘BB’ – into a lounge chair before scolding him aggressively.

The report continued: “BB was a vulnerable, elderly resident.

“He had dementia, difficulties with mobility and was at risk of falling.

“He could be unsettled and vocal as part of his condition. “ZZ is registered with the SSSC. “She knew you through work, having worked with you in most units at Ranfurly Care Home.

“She described witnessing you forcefully pushing BB into a lounge chair.

“She described hearing you say to BB in an aggressive manner ‘enough is enough, no more’, or words to that effect.”

R a n f u r l y Ca re Home accommodates 60 residents, 15 in each of its four units, who have a variety of needs including dementia.

Each care breach dates from between June 2015 and July last year.

Docherty was suspended last June when the allegations came to light, before being sacked in August.

Care chiefs struck-off Docherty after ruling her behaviour was “fundamentally incompatible” with the job and found her behaviour “fell well below the standards expected”.

They insist she showed “no insight, reflection or remorse” and maintained her actions were abusive.

The panel told how there is a “high risk of repetition” if Docherty was allowed to continue in the profession.