Mum would be disgusted by naked care home photo, says daughter

The daughter of an 85-year-old care home resident who was photographed while she was partially naked by a carer has called the incident a "violation".

Police are investigating a claim that "inappropriate images" were taken at the Kingsacre Care Home at Duntocher in Clydebank in March this year.

The elderly woman's daughter, Catherine, told the BBC her mother, who has dementia, would be "disgusted" if she knew the photo had been taken and shared with another person.

The incident came to light after an anonymous whistleblower raised the alarm several months later. The care home confirmed the carer no longer works there.

The photo, seen by the BBC, shows Catherine's mum in a state of undress, sitting on a bed after an incident of incontinence.

The BBC understands that the carer sent the image while commenting on the demands of their job.

Catherine, who lives on the Isle of Bute, says she looked after her mum round the clock for two years prior to her moving into the home in 2021.

She says the decision was the most "painful" of her life.

The psychotherapist told the BBC it took years to reach a sense of stability and acceptance of the situation, then just over a month ago she received a phone call from the home.

"I was contacted by a very apologetic manager," Catherine said.

She told her there had been an incident involving her mum being photographed and that Catherine would be contacted with further details.

The manager said she had contacted the police and the person had been suspended.

Catherine said it was "unacceptable" to take and send a photo of a vulnerable resident.

"There is no excuse for taking this photograph," she said, "I appreciate it's hard to staff care homes but that person should not be working in care."

Catherine said her mother, who spent part of her life working in the care sector, was a "thoroughly decent person" who was "gentle, sweet and kind".

"Dignity is an enormous thing and the level of vulnerability is an enormous thing," she said.

Catherine said she was extremely grateful to the whistleblower for bringing the allegation to light.

"It must have been very uncomfortable and I appreciate them pushing through that and doing it anyway," she said.

"I think whistleblowing is one of the most important things we can have."

Jim Pearson, deputy chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said the right to whistle blow was "absolutely critical" because people with dementia often cannot advocate for themselves.

"The very nature of dementia means that people are very vulnerable," he said.

"If something happens, they might not be able to communicate that, or indeed protect themselves.

"Anybody in a care home has a right to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect, and to be free from any type of harm including any inhumane or degrading treatment. It's also written into law.

"It's absolutely critical that people have the right to raise those concerns to organisations or scrutiny body."

Kingsacre is a 66-bed home run by operator Care Concern Group.

In its most recent inspection in September last year, it was rated as good or very good.

Catherine said that, in the years her mother had lived there, she had met some "excellent staff members" who were caring and supportive.

She says her mum will remain at the home despite the incident as she is settled there.

However, she intends to ask for a phone ban to be applied to all staff.

"Certainly 98% of the people in there are actively trying to help your loved one in all sorts of different tasks and generally have the patience of a saint and are very warm and welcoming people," she said.

Catherine says the decision to move her mother to a home on the mainland was partly informed by a lack of availability on Bute.

The island has a population of more than 6,000 but there is one facility, with space for just eight residents.

For Catherine and her father and many other islanders that means a return ferry trip to visit their loved ones.

She said: "It's really drastic having to travel great distances as an elderly person to go and see your beloved wife or your sweetheart.

"It was the most horrible decision I ever had to make in my entire life and one that I vowed I would never do.

"Until you're in that situation and you can see what a loved one is dealing with you have no idea.

"The fear and worry and the guilt. It's the worst. It's extremely tough for the family."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Social Services Council, which oversees registrations for care workers, said: "We are aware of the allegations but cannot comment on individual cases.

"If at the conclusion of our investigation we find that fitness to practise is impaired and place a sanction on a worker's registration, we publish the notice of decision on our website."

A spokesperson for Kingsacre Care Home said: "As soon as these allegations were brought to our attention, we took immediate action to suspend the individual involved.

"They are no longer employed by the organisation. We are continuing to support the relevant authorities with their ongoing investigations.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage, other than to say the safety and wellbeing of the people in our care is our absolute priority, and we will always take robust action to protect their best interests."

The BBC contacted the carer in question but did not receive a response.