A woman, Nicola Hughes, took drastic measures to address her concerns about her mother’s care at a Fife care home. Nicola, a registered nurse, decided to secretly film her mother’s mistreatment after feeling her complaints were being ignored. She managed to conceal a covert camera in a radio in her mother’s bedroom at Barrogil House. The footage she captured unveiled distressing scenes of staff mishandling Janette Ritchie, with one carer even holding bedclothes over her head and callously saying “Rest in Peace”. Following the exposure of the footage, five individuals were dismissed from the care home last year.
Although the dismissals provided some relief, Nicola and her family were disturbed by the ongoing concerns they had regarding the care standards at the home. These concerns were subsequently brought to the attention of the Care Inspectorate, leading to the validation of four complaints against the facility. Nicola candidly admitted that making the decision to install cameras in her mother’s room was anxiety-inducing, fearing the potential consequences of what they might reveal.
Despite acknowledging the commendable care provided by certain staff members at Barrogil House, Nicola expressed the distressing observations she made regarding her mother’s well-being. Notably, Janette Ritchie, a former carer herself, was often found distressed and with urine odor upon Nicola’s visits. The issue, compounded by Janette’s dementia and incontinence, prompted Nicola to keep pressing for improvements within the home despite her past complaints going unheeded. The deep-rooted concerns about the standard of care received at the facility were underscored by the family’s decision to report the footage of mistreatment.
In the wake of the dismissals and subsequent months, Nicola continued to advocate for enhanced care standards at the home to safeguard her mother and other residents. The Care Inspectorate’s recent validation of the family’s complaints regarding Janette’s care further fueled Nicola’s resolve to ensure a better-operating environment at the facility. As the family navigates the challenges posed by Janette’s deteriorating health, Nicola emphasized the importance of quality time with her mother as a daughter, rather than being consumed by a caregiver role. Ultimately, Nicola’s pursuit is to secure a safe and dignified passage for her mother in the final years of her life
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