In a troubling incident that has raised serious concerns about the quality of care in some specialised nursing homes, five staff members at Barrogil House in Cluny, near Kirkcaldy, Fife, have been dismissed following the uncovering of disturbing footage obtained by a family member. Registered nurse Nicola Hughes covertly recorded her mother, Janette Ritchie, a dementia patient, using a hidden camera placed inside a radio in her room. The footage revealed staff members allegedly shouting at Ritchie, roughly handling her, and in one instance, a carer was filmed placing bedclothes over her head while saying, “Rest in peace.”

Hughes took the decision to document her mother’s care after noticing alarming signs that her mother’s wellbeing was compromised. After placing the camera in her mother’s room on February 19 of last year, Hughes received notifications from the device indicating that no staff had checked on Ritchie overnight. She noted that staff left her mother in a wet bed, and upon arrival, she found her suffering from incontinence, with no efforts made to ensure her hygiene or comfort. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Hughes expressed her heartbreak at discovering what she described as “absolutely heartbreaking” incidents of neglect and staff verbally abusing her mother.

Following her revelations about the care her mother received, Hughes complained to the Care Inspectorate, leading to the dismissal of the five employees involved. Barrogil House’s management responded to the allegations, confirming that they took immediate action upon learning of Hughes’ concerns. A spokesperson stated, “Following concerns raised by Mrs Ritchie’s family in June of last year, we took immediate action which resulted in the dismissal of five members of staff.” The home insisted it is committed to maintaining high standards, citing a subsequent inspection that acknowledged good staffing levels and a dedication to kindness.

Despite these assurances, Hughes and her family have continued to express concerns regarding the quality of care. They have raised multiple complaints against the home and are pursuing broader changes, specifically advocating for the implementation of mandatory CCTV in care homes. Hughes articulated her view that the cameras serve not as a tool of mistrust but as a means of ensuring accountability and providing peace of mind to families.

The Care Inspectorate has also been approached for comments regarding their ongoing oversight of Barrogil House. As of now, the home has until March 17 to improve its medication management systems, as noted in an inspection report earlier this year.

Barrogil House, which describes itself as a specialist nursing care facility, has been home to Janette Ritchie since February 2024. The family’s struggles have spotlighted critical issues within the care home sector, raising significant questions about the treatment and dignity of vulnerable individuals within these facilities.

Source: Noah Wire Services