Southport care bosses refuse to comment after shocking facebook posts
Southport care home bosses say they will not comment after their staff were caught posting derogatory pictures of infirm patients to Facebook.
Health watchdog the Care and Qualities Commission are now investigating reports that staff at Southport Home Care Ltd posted degrading and derogatory pictures of them with clients – in one instance appearing to show a care worker lying on top of a patient while another takes a photo.
A caption accompanying the picture read: “This is what I have to deal with, please pity me!”
Other photos showed staff members posing while using a patients wheelchair and another playing with a hoist, traditionally used to help lift infirm patients to and from their beds.
The shocking images were posted to social networking site Facebook by one of the employees of Southport Home Care Ltd – what followed were a string of derogatory comments aimed towards the patient who was also pictured, with other staff appearing to make fun of the patient’s predicament.
The images were taken at a private property in Southport – believed to the home of a patient who pays Southport Home Care Ltd for their services.
One comment, believed to be from the staff member pictured on top of the patient, said: “You know who this is don’t you!” before another staff member replied with “Haha brilliant”
A further comment made stated: “I’m sure this is not in the care and quality guidebook – laugh out loud!”
Our reporter approached Southport Home Care Ltd for a statement regarding the pictures but our reporter was told that they currently have no comment to make.
They were already aware of the images being circulated at the time of being contacted.
Local Health and Wellbeing spokesperson Councillor Tony Dawson said he was stunned when he first saw the photos after being contacted by our reporter.
He said: “I am deeply disturbed by the mentality which has led to this sort of action.
“Any care worker prepared to subject their clients – even if not identified in the picture – to derision and fun among their mates may be prepared to do other unsuitable things.
“This also appears to me to be abuse of data protection rights since the photograph of a person receiving care treatment in their own home should be regarded as the private data of the client, even if the person is not identified, and treated confidentially. Such photos should also not be taken without permission.
“I would hope that the Care Agency concerned is asked urgently to co-operate in an urgent inquiry.”
A spokesperson for the Care and Qualities Commission confirmed they are investigating the incident.
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