A BEARSDEN care home worker has been given a warning after calling a resident an "old b****" and telling them to "f*** off".

Martina Douglas caused distress to the care home resident, known only as resident A, while employed as a care assistant in Canniesburn Care Home Ltd.

In January last year, Ms Douglas was heard telling resident A to "come on ya old b****" and told colleagues she hated the woman.

The Scottish Social Services Council declared the care worker's fitness to practise had been impaired by her misconduct and said action must be taken in the "public interest".

In hearing documents, the SSSC states: "Residents have the right to expect that they will be treated with dignity and respect and protected from harm by social service workers in whom they and the public place their trust and confidence.

"Shouting and swearing at a resident constitutes verbal abuse. Abusive behaviour by a social service worker is a breach of the trust and confidence placed in you.

"It is a misuse of the power and position placed in social service workers, whilst also placing users of services at risk of emotional harm.

"Telling a colleague that you hate a resident constitutes a failure to communicate in an appropriate manner. Speaking in a derogatory manner about a resident breaches the trust and confidence placed in you as a social service worker."

The SSSC did take into account the care home worker's previous good record with her employer and the body.

It stated Ms Douglas had remained in her post since the incident occurred almost 14-months ago and the care home insisted her behaviour had been "exemplary" since the incident.

Her employer also provided a positive reference and the incident was branded "isolated".

Based on the findings of the hearing, the SSSC decided to sanction Ms Douglas to a warning which will be placed on her registration for a period of eight months.

A spokesman for Canniesburn Care Home Ltd said: “Every member of team is expected to treat residents with respect and the provide the highest levels of care.

"Following exhaustive investigation we are satisfied this was an isolated incident, which we reported to the SSSC, and we conduct regular and robust reviews with staff to ensure our residents receive the best possible care.”