An Edinburgh carer has been given a warning by the Scottish Social Services Council after they were caught taking gifts and money from their patients.
A review this week by the SSSC had investigated the actions of local carer Pauline McDonald following her actions which took place between 2019 and 2021.
Employed at the time by MF Care Management, Ms McDonald has been working with a number of different services users, all of whom were vulnerable adults.
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During her time as their carer, an investigation found that Ms McDonald had accepted gifts on multiple occasions from her vulnerable patients, including money, clothing and cigarettes.
On one occasion, the carer had accepted £50 from a service user, and a few months later then went on to accept a “variety of household items” including cushion covers, a carpet, a “quantity of food and cigarettes.”
Highlighting her misconduct, the SSSC explained that accepting items and money from service users is against strict working policies, designed to avoid exploiting vulnerable patients.
A review added: "You had accepted money from service users on more than one occasion. Your behaviour was therefore not an isolated incident. Your behaviour caused a service user to become upset and distressed when she realised that action was then being taken against you. Your behaviour had the potential to financially exploit service users and you abused your position to trust to your own gain.”
Evaluating her behaviour, the SSSC told Ms McDonald she would be given a 12-month warning on her record, but would avoid being struck off the register due to her compliance with the investigation, and attempts to rectify her actions with the service users affected.
Edinburgh Live contacted MF Care Management for comment.
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