The moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has offered his “thoughts and prayers” to the family of the 91-year-old man who died tragically at a care home near Inverness.
John Taylor, a resident at Meallmore Lodge Care Home at East Daviot, died following an alleged attack by another dementia sufferer last month.
Reverand Dr Angus Morrison’s offered his condolences as he visited Cameron House in Inverness, a purpose-built residential service designed to cater for the needs of dementia sufferers.
He was there on behalf of CrossReach, a Church of Scotland initiative which aims to deliver care and support to some of the country’s most vulnerable people.
Yesterday the Rev Morrison, minister of Orwell and Portmoak Church in the Presbytery of Perth, said: “I would like to say how profoundly saddened I am, and everyone at CrossReach have been, to hear of that incident and our thoughts and prayers are very much with all those involved. We feel very much for the family concerned and for the staff and residents, who will have been affected.”
Mr Taylor died on the night of Friday, October 16, minutes after receiving nine head injuries in an incident at the £900-a-week Meallmore facility.
His son Ian revealed to the Press and Journal last week that the alleged assault happened in the home’s dining room and was witnessed by several other residents – but no staff.
The family also said they had raised concerns about staffing levels at the facility prior to the tragic incident.
The care home said its staff responded “quickly and professionally” when Mr Taylor was allegedly attacked.
The incident has triggered fresh demands from local council chiefs and MSPs for major improvements to the care of dementia sufferers.
The Rev Morrison added: “Here in Cameron House, staff go to great lengths to ensure those who are residents have the most fulfilled life possibilities. Inevitably there is a degree of risk but I note that Cameron House works closely with the Care Inspectorate to ensure the highest standards and offer appropriate levels of staffing so as to manage risk. The house also has in-house training.”