A STAFF member has been arrested and another four workers suspended at a crisis-hit Scottish care facility.
The Glasgow Times reported that the action comes as the result of four separate investigations into alleged abuse at Springvale Care Home in Lennoxtown.
As a result of a probe at the centre’s dementia unit, police have charged a 30-year employee in connection with the suspected ill-treatment of residents – with the matter now in the hands of the procurator fiscal.
Bosses at Springvale have also mounted their own internal investigation and confirmed today that several members of staff are currently suspended while this continues.
A whistleblower at the home told the Glasgow Times: “The problems are primarily situated around the dementia unit."
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said that are currently monitoring the situation at Springvale and added that management have been co-operating fully.
They said: “We have been appropriately notified by the service of incidents and the action taken to address them.
“We continue to provide the service with support and remain in close contact with them and with the Health and Social Care Partnership, to ensure the health, well-being and dignity of residents."
A spokesperson for Springvale Care Home also said they are giving the matter their full attention.
They told the Glasgow Times: “We take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously, and as soon as concerns were raised with us we took immediate action to suspend the individuals and launch a full investigation alongside the relevant authorities.
“While investigations are under way, it would not be appropriate to comment further other than to say there is nothing more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of the people in our care, and we will always take robust action to protect their best interests.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed the arrest of one employee in relation to the complaints.
They said: “A 30-year-old woman was charged in connection with the ill-treatment of residents at a care home in Lennoxtown, which was reported to police. A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
The allegations are not the first time the home has been in the spotlight over alleged issues within the facility.
In July 2020, Police Scotland officers arrested three women following an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of a resident. It also hit the headlines following the death of nine residents to coronavirus.
