An Elgin care worker has been issued a warning after failing to seek proper help for a service user she found on the floor.
Aimee Deakin discovered the man on the floor during a care visit on June 13, 2021.
Even though he declined help, her failure to call the relevant falls team, or 101, meant he was left unattended in that position for more than two and half hours.
Ms Deakin, who was employed by Cera Care Operations in Elgin at the time, concluded her visit and left while he was still on the floor.
As a result, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has issued a warning to stay on her registration for the next nine months.
The watchdog found her actions raised public protection issues as the man involved was at risk of “physical and emotional harm”.
The report states: “As part of your duties, you were expected to seek assistance for AA after finding AA on the floor.
“While you did phone on-call after you concluded AA’s visit you have now accepted that you should have called the falls team or 111. No physical harm was caused to AA as a result of your behaviour although there was a risk of harm.”
Warning in place for nine months
During its investigation, the SSSC also highlighted a second incident which proved Ms Deakin’s fitness to practice was impaired.
On or around June 18 of the same year, she was found to have recorded a visit to a service user that she did not actually attend.
The report states: “By failing to record your nonattendance your employer did not have an accurate record of the visit.
“No harm was caused to BB by your behaviour as your colleague provided care to BB however it was an inaccurate recording which didn’t reflect your actions, giving a false impression of the duties you carried out.”
The watchdog determined a warning on her registration was the most appropriate outcome of their investigation.
The report adds that Ms Deakin has shown “insight, regret and remorse” for her actions and explained to SSSC, as well as the service users involved, how she would act differently in the future.
A spokeswoman from Cera Care said: “We have been working closely with the Scottish Social Services Council in this ongoing Fitness to Practise Investigation.
“Following the incident on June 13 2021, we began a formal investigation into the employee’s conduct, during which the employee resigned. The evidence was then handed over to the SSSC.
“We take matters of this nature very seriously and are committed to delivering the best possible care as our first priority.”
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