AN elderly dementia sufferer was left wandering the streets without a jacket and in her slippers after a blunder by a Greenock care home.

The woman, believed to be in her late 70s, went missing from Merino Court on Drumfrochar Road and it is understood that staff were oblivious until the vulnerable OAP’s daughter phoned to ask how her mum was.

A source told the Tele that the pensioner was out in the cold on her own for up to half an hour on Sunday before the alarm was raised.

But a spokesperson for Merino Court, which is operated by HC-One, insists the resident was gone for nearer 10 minutes and ‘certainly no longer’ than 20.

Officials say the incident happened because of a fault with a secure-entry door, which has since been fixed. Staff are said to have dealt with the situation as soon as they were made aware, but the woman’s family are still upset about the incident.

A source said: “She was wandering about the streets with no jacket and in her slippers for about half an hour until her daughter phoned the home to see if her mum was okay.

“They didn’t know she was missing until the daughter phoned.

“The family are not too happy. The lady is there for her own protection and to be wandering about without a jacket on and in her slippers is a disgrace - especially when when the home knew nothing about it.”

Care home officials insist the health and safety of residents is their top priority and added that a review of security procedures has been conducted in light of the incident.

A spokesperson from Merino Court said: “We can confirm that due to a fault with a secure door, a resident was able to temporarily leave the home.

“As soon as staff were alerted, we immediately found and safely returned the individual to the home. 

“All appropriate authorities were informed and the door was fixed as soon as possible on the same day. We have carried out a review of all doors in the home.  The health, safety and wellbeing of the individuals we support are our top priorities.”

Talks were held between the resident’s family and Merino Court officials on Tuesday.

The Care Inspectorate – the national watchdog – have also been in contact.

A spokesperson said: “We have been informed of an incident at Merino Court care home and are working closely with the service to ensure residents are kept safe. Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate care which meets their needs and respects their rights.

The Tele spoke to the daughter of the resident involved but she did not wish to comment.