Caithness carer based in Thurso filmed dementia sufferer's used incontinence pad and threatened to kill whistle-blower after they raised the incident with Highland management
A care worker filmed a dementia sufferer's ripped up and used incontinence pad while in their bedroom and later threatened a colleague for raising concerns with management.
Caitlin MacMillan, who was working at Barchester’s Pentland View Care Home in Thurso, has been strongly criticised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) after it ruled on the incidents this week - adding that she had "not demonstrated any insight or remorse" regarding her behaviour.
MacMIllan filmed the video sometime around December 7, 2023. In it, the resident's used and ripped up incontinence pad could be seen, and the resident - referred to only as AA - could be heard.
She then sent the video to a colleague, who subsequently raised concerns with management over her behaviour.
When MacMillan later found out that management had been informed, she left a voice message on her colleague's phone sometime between December 7 and 11 of that year, in which she threatened to smash their windows and also said "I'm going to kill you" or words to that effect, the SSSC report explained.
The SSSC said the video had been a "serious violation" of AA's privacy and that her behaviour fell "significantly below the standards expected in the social services sector".
It has ordered that a warning be placed on her social services registration for three years, and that conditions also be imposed that she must meet.
"Service users have the right to be treated with dignity and have their privacy respected at all times," the SSSC report said.
"You failed to uphold these fundamental principles and abused the trust placed in you by the resident, their family and your employer.
"Recording a video in a resident’s bedroom that shows their used and torn incontinence pad, and in which the resident is identifiable, is a serious violation of their privacy and dignity.
"Your conduct demonstrated a clear disregard for the Codes of Practice, and you have shown no remorse or understanding of the seriousness of your actions."
The ruling continued: "Your behaviour falls significantly below the standards expected in the social services sector. Your actions displayed a lack of empathy, and given the high risk of repetition, there remains a real and ongoing risk to the public."
Moving on to the matter of the threatening voice message, it added: "This behaviour is entirely incompatible with the values expected of social service workers.
"It raises serious attitudinal concerns and constitutes a breach of your professional standards. You are expected to communicate with your colleagues in a respectful and professional manner. Issuing threats of violence toward other carers is entirely unacceptable and falls far below the standards expected of you."
They added that her behaviour had “caused significant emotional distress to the resident’s family” and she had “failed to co-operate with the SSSC throughout the investigation”, but also said that no previous misconduct had been brought to its attention.
As well as the warning, several conditions were attached, including that she provide evidence her employer knows about the conditions, that she provide evidence within three months that she has "undertaken learning" about professional conduct, dignity, respect and data protection. She must also provide a "reflective account" demonstrating why her behaviour was harmful to the resident, and which reflects upon her learning.
A spokesperson for the care home has said that MacMillan was fired as soon as they were made aware of the incident.
They said: “Our staff took swift action as soon as the conduct was brought to our attention, including referring the matter to the SSSC.
“Caitlin MacMillian was dismissed at the time of the incident in 2023. We respect the privacy of the individuals involved and as such cannot comment further on the specifics of this case, but we would like to reassure everyone of our commitment to provide the highest quality of care to our residents.”