A Scots nurse has been suspended after failing to intervene when an evil care home worker dragged a vulnerable dementia patientbackwards on a chair.
Alison Frew denied seeing the shocking incident in March 2019 but two witnesses at Strathburn Lodge, Glenrothes, Fife, said she was in the dining room area at the time.
The 57-year-old also failed to report the abuse to senior management which would have resulted in a probe being launched.
A hearing in front of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) heard that the vile unnamed carer was involved in a second incident with the same ‘bruised’ resident just days later.
It was argued that Frew’s fitness to practise was impaired due to her misconduct which had placed residents in the home at risk of harm.
The NMC said: “The charges arose in the course of Mrs Frew’s employment as a registered nurse at Abbotsford Care (Glenrothes) Ltd.
“It is alleged that, on 3 March 2019, Mrs Frew was aware of a carer’s abuse of a resident and was present when it occurred and did not take the appropriate action given she was the nurse in charge.
“It is alleged that the carer dragged the resident, who was distressed, backwards on a chair from the dining room.
“The incident was investigated by Abbotsford and Mrs Frew denied any knowledge.
“Mrs Frew was asked to attend a disciplinary meeting to explain the difference in her account and those of the witnesses.
“Mrs Frew resigned from her position at Abbotsford Care before the disciplinary meeting.”
The hearing heard from two fellow care home workers who reported hearing the elderly resident ‘screaming loudly’ while dragged from the dining room.
They said that Frew was administering medication to other residents in the area around the time of the incident.
The watchdog has suspended her registration for nine months and will invite her to take part in a review at a later date.
She was ordered to provide further evidence of her reflection on the impact of her actions and to prove she has kept her nursing skills up to date - specifically with regard to dementia care.
Frew, who was not present at the hearing, is said to have demonstrated some insight into her failings but no longer wished to work as a registered nurse.
