Girl, 16, is charged with assault on OAP at scandal-hit home
A GIRL of 16 has been charged with assaulting an elderly woman at a care home where residents were found tied to chairs.
The incident is alleged to have happened at Muirhead Care Home, near Alford, Aberdeenshire.
The privately run home came under scrutiny last month after an inspection by a government watchdog, which also said residents were not being fed enough and others were not being given vital medication.
The Care Inspectorate took the case to Aberdeen Sheriff Court, which granted an order to temporarily close the home.
The 35 residents are now being moved to other facilities.
Yesterday, police confirmed that a 16-year-old girl had been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged ‘minor assault’ of a resident aged in her 90s. It is understood that the resident was not hurt and her family have been made aware of the allegation.
Detective Inspector David Howieson said: ‘While carrying out inquiries into reported concerns at Muirhead Care Home, an isolated alleged incident was brought to our attention dating back to June 17, 2018. A 16-year-old female has subsequently been charged.’
He added: ‘We are continuing to work with our partners including the Care Inspectorate and Aberdeenshire Council in relation to wider concerns raised at the home which I know have attracted much public attention.
‘These inquiries are ongoing and officers from the inquiry team are in the process of making contact with the residents of the home or their relatives or representatives.’ Care Inspectorate chief executive Karen Reid said: ‘Our last inspection found highly distressing conditions. We saw evidence of vulnerable people being tied to chairs with belts, which is highly dangerous.
‘Residents were not getting enough food. There were not enough staff on hand to help people who needed support.
‘Some people were not given essential medicines. We found a lack of appreciation as to why these things are so unacceptable.’
She added: ‘I welcome the sheriff court granting an interim suspension order preventing the care home operating after August 31, pending a full hearing.
‘We have made referrals to nursing regulators and the police, and are working closely with Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership to support residents to move to other care homes where they will be cared for safely and with compassion.’
The directors behind the private home said they had made ‘strenuous efforts’ to address concerns.
A statement added: ‘Over the next three weeks, after consultations with families, the residents will be moved to other establishments in an orderly and sensitive manner.
‘These arrangements will be made by the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, with the full cooperation of the directors.
‘The directors are naturally disappointed by the court’s decision, which comes after 30 years of providing successful care to hundreds of elderly people and enabling the majority to remain within their community of Alford, when they are no longer able to live independently.’
A future court date has been set to determine if the closure will be permanent.
‘Distressing conditions’