A CARE home boss who failed to give NINE elderly residents their medication and then ditched the drugs, has been struck off.

 

Senior nurse Catherine Robertson signed off on the lunchtime round and then later tried to shift the blame to a colleague when she was found out.

The incident took place at Acorn Park care home in East Kilbride on November 8 2013, which was threatened with closure last year by care watchdogs over "unacceptable" levels of care.

Mrs Robertson, who was also deputy manager, arrived for her 2pm shift at 1.45pm. A staff nurse told her that the lunchtime medication round was "outstanding" and she was handed the keys to the medicine cabinet.

At 6pm she realised her mistake but did not contact the residents' GPs for advice or tell her boss.

Instead, an investigation by nursing watchdogs found that she went to "considerable lengths" to cover up her error, even trying to shift the blame to her colleague.

She called the staff nurse asking if the round had been done, knowing that she had been told it was her responsibility.

The staff nurse told the hearing that Mrs Robertson later admitted on the phone that she had failed in her duties.

She was dismissed by the care home owners, Balpride Limited, who referred the incident to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Mrs Robertson was not present at a hearing by the NMC, which found that the nurse had shown little remorse or empathy for her colleague.

In July last year, the home owners were served with a formal improvement notice after the Care Inspectorate highlighted "unacceptable" levels of care.

Four separate complaints were raised aboutAcorn Park's record in preventing falls and accidents, use of pressure mats, administering personal care and keeping relatives informed. However an inspection in December found that steps had been taken to improve standards and the level of care was found to be "adequate."

The NMC panel said: "Whilst no harm came to residents in Mrs Robertson's care the allegations are of a serious nature.

"Nine residents were affected by Mrs Robertson's failure to administer the medication round.

"Moreover, once she realised her omission, she failed to take any remedial action, such as contacting the GP.

"The steps Mrs Robertson took to implicate a colleague are also serious.

"Medical records are legal documents and need to accurately record residents care and loved ones need to know that a nurse is acting in a

patient's best interest.

"Colleagues need to be able to trust those with whom they work."

The panel said there was no evidence of remediation from Mrs Robertson and a risk of repetition so a striking off order was imposed, which the nurse is entitled to appeal.