Charity in blast at Wishaw care home wig snap

Ross Thomson A Wishaw care home has issued a grovelling apology after a video emerged of staff apparently mocking elderly residents.

Four employees have been suspended at Beechwood Care Home while an investigation is carried out into the 2015 incident.

The picture shows two halfnaked staff seemingly posing as OAPS as other employees look on.

The Age Scotland charity has slammed the behaviour as “inexcusable and scandalous”.

A Beechwood spokesperson said: “We are deeply appalled and disgusted by the behaviour photographed in 2015.

“The conduct of those involved falls far short of the high standards we pride ourselves on and that residents rightly expect.

“When this incident came to light, we immediately suspended the staff members involved and launched a full investigation. We will not rest until we get to the bottom of this, and will be taking appropriate action as soon as the investigation concludes.

“We are working closely with all relevant authorities, and have drafted in senior staff from our other homes to provide additional support.

“We are also reminding all staff of their responsibilities to report any behaviour they witness that falls short of the high ethical standards we expect.”

The spokesperson added Beechwood had a 9.1/10 rating on an independent care home comparison website and its most recent Care Inspectorate report from May graded the home as ‘Very Good’ in all inspected areas.

The video came to light after the Wishaw Press revealed care home owners, the Holmes Group, called in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) when nurse Jacqueline Kelly stopped a Beechwood resident from leaving the dining room by trapping her chair in place.