Two Crieff care home workers had a punch-up while a “vulnerable” resident was left sitting on the toilet, a watchdog has found.
Stacey Creelman and Ruth Elder have been warned by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for their behaviour.
The pair were found to have put a “vulnerable service user… at risk of potential harm” while they became involved in a physical scrap.
Workers got involved in ‘personal conflict’
In separate hearings, the watchdog found the workers had pushed and punched each other during a nightshift at the adults’ care home in Crieff – which has not been identified – in July 2020.
Both SSSC reports detailed how a service user had been left on the toilet alone, without support, during the incident.
The pair’s behaviour was described as showing “disregard” for the service user’s safety, wellbeing and dignity.
It was found they had been dealing with a “personal conflict” – but no details have been revealed on what caused the dispute.
The watchdog – which has its headquarters in Dundee – also noted that this was an isolated incident.
But an investigation into Creelman’s misconduct found that the care worker claimed she would “act in the same manner” if found in a similar position again.
Pair showed ‘limited’ remorse
The report said: “You demonstrated some insight, regret and remorse into your actions to the SSSC, however, this was very limited and came at a late stage in the investigation.”
Meanwhile, the SSSC found Elder had demonstrated “limited insight, remorse or reflection” into her behaviour and that there was little evidence to suggest she fully understood the concerns around her behaviour.
Both workers were given a year’s warning on their registrations.
It has not been confirmed whether either carer has continued to work in the sector since the incident.
