Care worker struck off after slapping nursing home resident with slipper

A care worker has been struck off after slapping a nursing home resident with a slipper.

Ann Rodger was employed as a social care worker at Argyll House Nursing Home in Kilmarnock when she assaulted the resident on October 2, 2024.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said in a report: “This behaviour amounts to physical abuse and risk of harm to a vulnerable resident. Your conviction calls into question your suitability to work in the social care profession.

“The conviction is a serious matter. There was no injury libelled in the conviction, however such behaviour would cause a clear risk of harm to a vulnerable person who was living in a care home with dementia and a lack of capacity.

“She relied on you for kind and compassionate care. You behaved in a violent manner towards her. We have serious concerns that you do not hold the right values to be a social care worker.

“It was isolated and you have a good previous history. However, you have not shown any insight or remorse. We cannot be reassured that similar behaviour would not happen again in the future.

“There is a clear need to protect the public given the seriousness of the conviction. There is a need to maintain public confidence to find your fitness to practise impaired.”

Rodger was convicted of assaulting the resident on October 9, 2025 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

The SSSC imposed a removal order on her registration, adding that a warning “would not be appropriate as it would not adequately address the impairment of your fitness to practise”.

The notice came into effect on March 17, 2026.