Carer caused elderly woman to fall then dragged her along bathroom floor

A care worker who caused an elderly woman to fall and then dragged her along the bathroom floor by the underarms has been given a warning.

Salieu Ruffai was working as a social care assistant at Orchard Grove House in Glasgow in July 2022 when an incident involving a vulnerable woman took place.

Ruffai was said to have used “incorrect moving and handling procedures” when attempting to move a woman from her chair without waking her.

She caused the woman to fall and then failed to use a hoist when helping afterward.

Rather than seeking help, the care assistant dragged the pensioner along the floor from the bathroom to her chair by her underarms.

Following the incident, she failed to tell her bosses that the fall had even occurred.

Ruffai was reported to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) who found she had “violated” the woman’s rights and “placed her at risk of serious physical and emotional harm”.

Their report added: “By failing to seek assistance or to report that AA had fallen placed her at further risk of harm and showed a disregard for her wellbeing.

“Service users have a reasonable expectation that they can rely on social service workers and expect that they will be cared for appropriately and that they will not be placed at unnecessary risk of harm.”

It was decided that a warning should be placed on the care assistant’s registration for a period of three years.