Two Glasgow care workers, Diana Otobohu and Bisola Akindein, who were caught on CCTV mistreating an elderly woman have been struck off. The pair were convicted and handed 216 hours of community service earlier this year after pleading guilty to neglecting a pensioner in their care.
The family of Jean Lochrane had hidden a recording device in a digital clock at Eastbank Nursing Home in Shettleston due to suspicions of neglect. A report from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that Otobohu “did ill-treat or wilfully neglect” Jean, failing to maintain appropriate manual handling techniques and repeatedly ignoring call alarms.
She also moved Jean’s bed away from the wall, preventing her from reaching the nurse call alarm, and even removed the entire nurse call page from the wall, putting Jean “at risk of injury and preventing her from summoning assistance”. The SSSC stated that the offence was aggravated by prejudice relating to disability.
Speaking at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Jean’s daughter-in-law Angela revealed the distressing footage showed Jean “screaming” for help, adding: “Jean was screaming ‘Please God help me, someone please help me’. The effects of what happened have been long lasting.”
The SSSC report highlighted that Otobohu was “dealing with a lot emotionally” leading up to the distressing incident in October 2022, but pointed out there has been “no remediation”, reports Glasgow Live. The report condemned the actions, stating: “your actions caused the supported person distress and risked causing them both emotional and physical harm in a place where they ought to feel safest. The behaviour is extremely serious given it displays a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of a vulnerable person you were entrusted to look after.”
It also warned: “It was an isolated incident but if the behaviour were to be repeated, would place other vulnerable people at risk of harm.”
In response, a spokesperson for Eastbank Care Home, operated by HC-One, expressed regret at the time of conviction: “We are clear this should never have happened, and again extend our sincere apologies to Ms Lochrane and her family.”
