Carer who sent videos of end-of-life care patient covered in faeces to friend struck off

A carer has been banned from the profession after sending videos of a end-of-life patient with faeces on them and in their bed.

Lauren Stirling was working as a care assistant for HC-One Limited, based at Mavisbank, when the incidents occurred in November 2022.

An investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that Ms Stirling had sent videos of a resident on end-of-life care in which “there were faeces on the resident and on the bedding”.

The video was sent alongside messages that read, “do you remember her? She’s to stay in bed she’s on morphine and on end of life man” and “that’s a great morning”.

Ms Stirling was also found to have posted photos of herself and a colleague to social media from another residents bathroom.

The watchdog found that Ms Stirling had breached the “extremely vulnerable” resident’s “dignity and right to privacy”.

They added that the former care assistant had placed the resident at further risk of harm when she did not take “immediate” action in providing care.

“You abused the trust placed in you by service users, their families, your employer and the SSSC,” the report said.

On the carer’s removal from the register, the SSSC, said: “The SSSC considers a Removal Order is the most appropriate sanction as it is both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession.”

A spokesperson for Mavisbank said: “We fully support the decision of the SSSC to remove Ms Stirling’s registration from the Register.

“We do not tolerate any behaviour which undermines the dignity of those in our care, and Ms Stirling’s actions were completely incompatible with our values of kindness and respect.

“As soon as we became aware of Ms Stirling’s actions, we acted immediately to suspend her, launch an investigation, and refer the matter to the SSSC and relevant safeguarding bodies ourselves.

“Ms Stirling has not worked for us in any capacity since this matter came to light.

“We will always prioritise the wellbeing of our residents, and support action being taken to protect the dignity of older people in care.”