Alarm as abuse in care homes doubles in only three years

CLAIMS of abuse in care homes have more than doubled in three years, a care watchdog has said.

There were 1,634 official complaints last year, compared with 748 in 2011, according to the Care Inspectorate.

A number of recent claims it has been asked to probe were described as ‘very major’, with some so serious they were referred to councils and police.

Sickening cases of physical and verbal abuse have even resulted in care staff being tried in court, with the most serious offenders being jailed.

Last year, care worker Sharon Young, 40, was found guilty of abuse after she humiliated a severely disabled pensioner at Rosaburn House in East Kilbride.

In 2012, Janice Glover, 46, was convicted of a campaign of abuse against 81-year-old dementia sufferer William Thomson at Claremont Nursing Home in Ayr.

But Lesley Carcary, of charity Action on Elder Abuse Scotland, fears the full extent of the problem could be far worse than the figures show, as she believes many residents and staff do not report incidents.

She said: ‘This may only be the tip of the iceberg. Harm and abuse in homes is a growing problem which cannot be ignored.

‘Many cases go unreported, either because victims are too scared to speak up or because hard-working care staff fear the consequences of whistle-blowing.’

This year alone, Action on Elder Abuse has received 4,679 pleas from staff and family members throughout the UK claiming residents had been mistreated.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: ‘Elderly abuse is terrifying for vulnerable old people and their families. Where it occurs, abusers should be prosecuted.’

Between 2011 and 2014 the Care Inspectorate received 5,252 reports alleging that elderly people had been abused in care homes. It rose from 748 in 2011, 1,349 in 2012, 1,521 in 2013 to 1,634 last year.

In April, two members of staff from Newcarron Court Care Home in Falkirk were suspended following allegations that residents were verbally and physically abused.

In August, a woman was arrested and charged by police probing claims of physical abuse at Colinton Care Home in Edinburgh.

The rise in allegations of abuse has emerged as the care industry goes through a major review.

The Scottish Government is revising its health and social care standards. It is also seeking to create an offence of wilful neglect. It is hoped the changes will drive up standards in the industry and ensure effective legal action can be taken in cases when a health worker inflicts ‘deliberate harm’.

Last week, Health Secretary Shona Robison addressed 500 members of the industry at the annual conference of care home body Scottish Care. Responding to the figures, she said: ‘Any reports of mistreatment in care homes is obviously deeply concerning.’

Ranald Mair, chief executive of Scottish Care, said any complaint about poor care or abuse was one complaint too many. But he added that the rise in abuse allegations might be down to a greater awareness of how to report issues.

The Care Inspectorate said the number of allegations in 2011 might have been lower than normal because a new system of reporting was introduced in April 2011.

A spokesman added: ‘If abuse takes place in a care home, the service must immediately make an adult support and protection referral to the local authority and police, who are responsible for investigating.’

Comment – Page 14

‘Too scared to speak up’