A CARE worker has been banned for nine months over claims she verbally abused five elderly patients at a nursing home.

Norma Moroney was also sacked from her job as a night-time care worker at Westlea Care Home after the allegations came to light.

The regulatory body for care workers, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), has now issued Ms Moroney with a nine-month suspension.

It means she can’t work in any care establishment in Scotland while she is under investigation.

Ms Moroney was suspended in April this year after another care worker accused her of swearing and being abusive towards the five patients. The concerned colleague immediately alerted senior management.

Ms Moroney was suspended and then dismissed in June following a hearing.
Westlea Care Home provides accommodation for up to 55 older people, including those with dementia.

It opened for business in 2002 and the three-storey building is situated in Donnies Brae, on the outskirts of Barrhead.

A SSSC spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that Norma Moroney is subject to a Temporary Suspension Order (TSO) for nine  months, effective from July 27, 2020.

“If we impose a TSO it is because we have received information which suggests a worker’s conduct may present a risk of harm to people who use services or the public or we feel that temporary action is necessary to uphold public confidence in the profession.

“The imposition of a TSO is not an indication that the conduct took place but a protective measure while we investigate.

“What happens following expiry of a TSO varies depending on the stage of and outcome of our investigation.”

The owners of Westlea, Third Life Care, who have three other homes, confirmed Ms Moroney’s suspension and dismissal.

They said they also reported her to the SSSC.

The Barrhead News can also reveal that the same home suspended and then sacked a nurse after she was found to be drunk on duty in May. She was in turn reported to her regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Martin Kilmurray, director of Third Life Care, added: “There were two members of staff we had to take action against following incidents earlier this year. They no longer work for Third Life Care. There was no question of the residents being at risk.

“We informed all the appropriate agencies, in order to ensure it doesn’t happen in other homes, and they are dealing with it according to their own procedures.”

In August last year, Westlea was criticised in a report by the Care Inspectorate.

It was rated as ‘weak’ for staffing and ‘unsatisfactory’ for supporting people’s wellbeing, for leadership and for care and support.

Mr Kilmurray added: “We had a very poor inspection report. East Renfrewshire Council came in and carried out a large-scale investigation and have since given us a clean bill of health.

“Certain practices had to change, which they have.”

An East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership spokeswoman said: “Following the concerned findings and reduced grades delivered by the Care Inspectorate, we launched a Large Scale Investigation on Westlea Care Home in August 2019.

“This was concluded in October 2019 with an action and protection plan in place.

“We will continue to monitor and support the home, ensuring the standards we expect are met.”

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