{"id":23230,"date":"2025-03-04T21:59:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=23230"},"modified":"2025-03-05T00:25:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T00:25:17","slug":"woman-secretly-filmed-her-mum-being-abused-in-care-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=23230","title":{"rendered":"Woman secretly filmed her mum being abused in care home"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new\" class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-0 haItSe\">\n<div class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-1 cjDa-dM\">1 hour ago<\/p>\n<p><!--$!--><button disabled type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Share\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-2 sc-48d6da7e-5 sc-48d6da7e-6 oYtVL dRvUPz dXDmtS\"><span data-testid=\"button-icon-wrapper\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-0 dMpdqo\"><\/span><span data-testid=\"button-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-1 eihkAj\">Share<\/span><\/button><button disabled type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Save\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-2 sc-48d6da7e-5 sc-48d6da7e-6 iQJDhl cCYQUA kItbpD\"><span data-testid=\"button-icon-wrapper\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-0 dMpdqo\"><\/span><span data-testid=\"button-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-1 eihkAj\">Save<\/span><\/button><!--\/$--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--$!--><button disabled type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Share\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-2 sc-48d6da7e-5 sc-48d6da7e-6 oYtVL dRvUPz dXDmtS\"><span data-testid=\"button-icon-wrapper\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-0 dMpdqo\"><\/span><span data-testid=\"button-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-1 eihkAj\">Share<\/span><\/button><button disabled type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Save\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-2 sc-48d6da7e-5 sc-48d6da7e-6 iQJDhl cCYQUA kItbpD\"><span data-testid=\"button-icon-wrapper\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-0 dMpdqo\"><\/span><span data-testid=\"button-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" class=\"sc-48d6da7e-1 eihkAj\">Save<\/span><\/button><!--\/$--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subByline-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new\" class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-0 haItSe\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new-contributors\" class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-12 fcCDwR\">\n<div class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-5 evAEAB\">\n<div><span class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-7 kItaYD\">Mona McAlinden<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>BBC Scotland news<!-- --><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">A woman secretly filmed her mother&#8217;s mistreatment in a care home after concerns she raised about her care were ignored.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nicola Hughes, who is a registered nurse, hid a covert camera in a radio in her mother&#8217;s bedroom at Barrogil House in Fife.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The footage revealed staff roughly handling Janette Ritchie and shouting at her. One carer was filmed holding bedclothes over her head and saying &#8220;Rest in Peace&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Five people were dismissed last year after the care home was made aware of the footage.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">However, the family continued to have concerns about standards, which they raised with the Care Inspectorate \u2013 and it has now upheld four complaints against the home.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/dec9ea80-f8f7-11ef-ad98-31dd620eac72.jpg.webp\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Nicola Hughes A selfie of Nicola Hughes (right) who has her arm around her mother Janette Ritchie. They are sitting on a cream couch and smiling at the camera.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\" \/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 hesJxn\">Nicola Hughes<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nicola said the family were initially delighted when Janette got a place at the home, near Cluny, in February 2024. The specialist facility for people with dementia is located just miles from where they live.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Janette, 67, who was a former carer herself, has dementia and is doubly incontinent.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The family say some of the staff at Barrogil House provide excellent care.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">However, within weeks of her admission, her daughter said Janette seemed to be distressed in the mornings. Nicola said her mother often smelled of urine and was wet when they visited.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;Making a decision to put cameras into someone&#8217;s room is nerve-wracking because you&#8217;re frightened &#8211; frightened of consequences for me, for my mum. You&#8217;re frightened about what you&#8217;re going to find on these cameras,&#8221; Nicola said.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;What I discovered was absolutely heartbreaking.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;My mum was getting left overnight without any welfare checks being completed. Unfortunately, my mum&#8217;s incontinent so she was left lying in her own urine.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;Staff verbally abusing her, emotionally abusing her &#8211; telling her that she&#8217;s stinking, telling her that she&#8217;s stupid. Using my name against her.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bc22f480-f8f8-11ef-ad98-31dd620eac72.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nicola Hughes A selfie of Nicola with her mum Janette. Nicola is wearing a cream fleece and Janette is wearing an orange jumper. They are sitting on a pink couch.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\" \/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 hesJxn\">Nicola Hughes<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nicola says that because of the severity of her mother&#8217;s dementia, it was too disruptive to move her to a new home.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;Starting over again is a big upheaval for her,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It would be unfair to move her about again.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nicola wanted improvements to be made at the home, and said she made several complaints to the management during the period when the footage was recorded.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;I consistently went into the home manager&#8217;s office and raised my concerns, and nothing changed,&#8221; she said.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">When the family saw a member of staff holding the bedclothes over Janette&#8217;s head and saying &#8220;Rest in Peace&#8221;, they decided to inform the care home about the footage.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Five members of staff were sacked following an investigation.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">But six months after the dismissals, the family still have concerns about standards of care.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;All I keep asking for is just that basic care needs are met,&#8221; said Nicola.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/37fe1130-f8f8-11ef-ad98-31dd620eac72.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nicola Hughes Janette with her husband Alex. They are sitting outside. Alex is wearing a checked shirt and Janette is wearing a yellow T-shirt and a hat.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\" \/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 hesJxn\">Nicola Hughes<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Last month, the Care Inspectorate upheld four complaints from the family about Janette&#8217;s care. It said her personal care needs were not always met, and her medication was not always administered properly.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nicola said: &#8220;I think it&#8217;s important to stress that these complaints are only to make sure that the home operates at a better level, not only for my mum &#8211; but for everyone.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Inspectors have given the home a deadline to improve.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">In a statement, a spokesperson for Barrogil House said: &#8220;Following concerns raised by Mrs Ritchie&#8217;s family in June of last year, we took immediate action which resulted in the dismissal of five members of staff.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;A subsequent unannounced inspection noted our good staffing levels and commitment to kindness and respect, and we continue to work closely with all relevant authorities to make improvements &#8211; including a revised care plan for Mrs Ritchie.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;The health and wellbeing of our residents is our utmost priority, and we aim to offer the highest possible standards of care and compassion.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nicola said: &#8220;It&#8217;s difficult for the families, watching your loved one deteriorate in front of you. And it&#8217;s made incredibly more difficult because I don&#8217;t get to spend quality time with my mum, because I&#8217;m too busy nursing my mum, effectively.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t mind nursing my mum, but I should be spending quality time with her as a daughter, not as a nurse.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">&#8220;I just want a safe passage for my mum in these last few years of her life.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1 hour ago<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23230"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23236,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23230\/revisions\/23236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}