A Glasgow carer called a vulnerable dementia patient a 'coward' for not being able to move while in pain.
Jane Mair was working as a carer for Edinbarnet Estates Limited in Clydebank in January 2020 when she verbally abused a resident.
When the resident couldn't change position due to being in pain, she quipped 'don't be a coward' causing the person distress.
The carer assistant was employed by HC-One Oval Limited at Mugdock House Care Home but phoned in sick so she could work shifts at the Clydebank care home instead on five different occasions in 2019.
She told a colleague that she would work as a bank employee at Mugdock, if she was given a full-time contract with the other care home.
Mair was called before the Scottish Social Services Council for her misconduct which they described as 'dishonest' and placed residents at risk of harm.
A report detailed: "You purposefully lied to your employer about being unwell so you could attend for work with a different employer.
"Social service workers are expected to maintain and respect the dignity of people who use services. By calling a service user a coward when they were in pain, you have failed to uphold and meet the standard expected of a social services worker."
It was decided that, although unprofessional, it wasn't considered that Mair had intended to cause the resident to feel distressed.
The care worker has been in new employment since June 2020 with no concerns being raised.
For this reason, she was allowed to continue her role but had conditions added to her registration for the next 18 months. This includes making her employers aware of the conditions, undertaking training in areas including professional conduct and communication, and dignity and respect. She must also submit a reflective account of the impact of her attitude and behaviours.
