A Leven carer who threw away residents’ medicine after failing to administer it on 40 occasions has been struck off.
Gemma Campbell has had her registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) removed after she was found to have falsified medicine administration records to show that medication had been given to patients, when it had not.
She was employed at Scoonie House Care Home on Windygates Road, which has room for 36 residents, when the incidents took place in or around June 2021.
Campbell has now been sanctioned by the industry watchdog, meaning she is unable to work in the sector.
Fife carer’s behaviour was ‘reckless’
Following a fitness to practice hearing, the SSSC said her behaviour was “reckless”
and put residents at a “real risk of serious harm”.
The report stated: “Social service workers must not act in a way that puts others at risk.
“By failing to administer medication on around 40 occasions and disposing
of around 40 medications you put residents at unnecessary risk of
serious harm.
“Social service workers must meet relevant standards of practice and
work in a lawful, safe and effective way.
“Your behaviour was reckless and demonstrates you are willing to put the health, safety and welfare of service users at risk.”
SSSC officers concluded that Campbell’s decision to falsify medical records “undermined the trust placed in you”.
The watchdog also noted that Campbell was a risk to the public because she had “failed to show insight, regret or remorse”.
The SSSC said Campbell had “failed to engage” with its investigation and the reasons for her actions have not been explained.
However, it stated that Campbell had “a good previous history” while working in the sector.
Scoonie House ‘fully supports’ SSSC decision
A spokesperson of Scoonie House, which is privately run by Caring Homes Healthcare Group, said: “The health and wellbeing of our residents is our absolute priority.
“We have robust medication procedures and policies in place, which meant that inappropriate actions from a previous employee in June 2021 were found, acted upon and reported.
“This led to her immediate suspension and dismissal.
“Throughout this process we have worked closely with all the relevant authorities and we fully support the Scottish Social Services Council’s decision.”
The Courier has attempted to contact Campbell for comment.
