A Fife family have hit out after a series of alleged failings which saw a carer fall on top of a 94-year-old woman, just three hours after she was released from hospital.
The shocking incident was caught on camera at the Lumphinnans home of Phamie Sutherland after her relatives became concerned by the level of care she received.
The footage shows a worker from Avenue Care Services attempting to pull the pensioner on to her feet from the couch in her living room.
She then climbs behind the frail OAP, who appears to be groaning with pain, and attempts to push her up before falling on top of Mrs Sutherland.
An investigation has been launched into the incident, which happened on July 27.
The pensioner’s daughter, Agnes Sutherland, said: “The carer phoned me to say that my mum had slipped and so I asked Marie to go round and I went to look at the camera to see what had happened.
“I had just left at the back of 8pm and the fall happened at 10.17pm. She had just home from the hospital where they were monitoring her because of blood loss concerns.
“We had to take her back the following day because she said her foot was sore so they did some X-rays but there’s just some bruising there, thankfully.”
Mrs Sutherland, a former carer herself, said: “I was absolutely disgusted with what I saw.
“I would never have dreamt of doing that to anybody.
“She was pulling my mum by the arms to try and get her up and then climbed behind her on the couch, trying to push her up.
“The Zimmer frame was moving further and further away from my mum so even if she did manage to get on her feet, there was nothing to hold on to.
“Her legs are rock solid, she can’t really lift her legs at all. She just shuffles forward.
“I actually thought her face hit the Zimmer but it didn’t — it hit the floor. The carer then fell on top of her.
“Then, just two days later, the carers failed to turn up for their bedtime visit.”
Granddaughter Marie Stark, 35, added: “The reason we are speaking out about this is not to insult the carers because my gran loves 95% of them and some of them are absolutely amazing with her.
“They realise their job is a lifeline for some people but it’s other 5% who just use it as a way to pay their bills. They don’t seem to really care.
“The failings that Avenue Care have done to my gran are unbelievable. We’ve had meeting after meeting but nothing changes.”
David Heaney, divisional general manager from Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “In all cases, including this one, where the social work service receives information relating to allegations of harm or potential harm to vulnerable adults in any setting, we have a duty under adult support and protection law to take appropriate action to safeguard the individuals.
“Appropriate action is therefore under way in this case.”
A Care Inspectorate spokesperson said: “We are aware of this matter and concerned about what has been alleged.
“We have referred this to partner organisations to investigate and will assist with these investigations.
“Once they are concluded we will also investigate the matters of complaint or carry out a full inspection of the service.
“Everyone in Scotland has the right to experience safe, high quality care which meets their needs and respects their rights. Anyone with a concern can contact us on 0345 600 9527, anonymously if they wish.”
Avenue Care Services declined to comment.
