The abusers of a brain damaged patient at a Bury hospital have been told they could face time behind bars after ‘dreadful abuse’.
Footage of the mistreatment was filmed between August 28 2012 to September 19 2012 by the patient’s family, who were worried about his treatment at the privately run Priory Highbank hospital.
The shocking footage shows two carers slapping, jabbing and humiliating the patient as he lay groaning in bed at the £3,000-a-week Bury hospital in Greater Manchester.
Rita Page, 68, and Lynette Crook, 33, were secretly filmed smacking the young victim’s legs and swearing at him as they changed his bedding.
On the secret tape, Page could be heard saying: “You won’t beat us bastard. There’s this very fine line between abuse and neglect.
“Don’t you dare be sick on me boy, don’t you dare – you dirty scummy boy.”
Crook is also heard insulting the patient.
“Better not think about being sick on me lad,” she is heard saying.
”I don’t do sick so stop it scummy lad.”
SHOCKING: Carers abuse brain damaged patient (Image courtesy of ITV, via Youtube, with thanks)
Believing their concerns had not been addressed by senior staff, the family hid secret surveillance cameras around the man’s room at the specialist hospital for treatment of neurological disorders.
The victim had suffered brain damage following an accident when he was a youngster.
Healthcare assistants Page from Bury and Crook of Ramsbottom were suspended from their duties and were arrested after the footage was handed over to police.
The film emerged as Crook and Page were warned they faced jail after they pleaded guilty to charges of ill treatment of the brain damaged patient on the first day of their trial at Bolton Crown Court.
MISTREATMENT: Abuse went on for weeks (Image courtesy of ITV, via Youtube, with thanks)
Both were bailed pending a sentencing hearing in May but a judge warned them ‘immediate custody was likely’.
The case was not opened.
Page pleaded guilty to two charges relating to use of abusive language and slapping the patient’s leg during a struggle when she put a pillow between his legs.
Crook pleaded guilty to three charges relating to her jabbing the patient in the torso and head with a pen whilst he was asleep, using abusive language and slapping his leg whilst taking his blood pressure.
Seven other charges will lie on file.
The victim who had suffered brain damage following an accident when he was a youngster cannot be named for legal reasons.
After the case his uncle said: “All institutions must be brought to justice and we wanted to make sure these two women were brought to account for what they did.
“We were very concerned about the treatment our relative was getting and we made that many complaints that two family members got banned from the premises.
“As a family we are more than happy with their pleas and they will be shown up for what they are.
“We want a petition for cameras in care homes for vulnerable people like him because if you have nothing to be ashamed of then it won’t be an intrusion.”
Malcolm Bower-Brown, Regional Director for the Care Quality Commission said: “We are aware of this shocking case involving two former employees of The Priory Highbank Centre in Bury.
“Our thoughts today are with the victim of this dreadful abuse, and their family.
“Our most recent inspection in February 2014 found the home to be meeting the national standards reviewed.
“However, we continue to monitor the position carefully and will not hesitate take any regulatory action necessary to ensure residents receive the service they are entitled to expect.
“If anyone has any concerns about The Priory Highbank Centre or any other registered service, please contact CQC.
A spokesman for Highbank hospital said: “Everyone at the Company deeply regrets the unacceptable actions of these two members of staff both of whom had over 10 years’ service and previously unblemished records.
”The Company will not tolerate behaviour of this nature and both healthcare assistants have been dismissed for gross misconduct.
”This was an isolated incident and does not represent the high standards at this otherwise excellent hospital.
”The most recent unannounced CQC inspection of the hospital is solid evidence that the hospital is providing a safe, caring and effective service to its patients. The Company has issued an unreserved apology.”
Images courtesy of ITV, via Youtube, with thanks
