AN assistant manager and key worker at a Greenock care home have been found guilty of misconduct.

The pair were both employed at Maclehose Court Care Home when they put two residents at risk of harm on separate occasions.

They have now been issued with formal warnings.

A hearing of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) heard both women failed to check residents’ treatment records and administered more medication than what was prescribed.

The report found that Elsie McAulay, whilst employed as assistant manager at the home — run by Blackwood — failed to check a resident’s anticoagulant treatment record prior to administering medication.

The incident happened on January 26.

A probe also found that she signed the resident’s Warfarin record to say that he had received 3x1mg tablets prior to administering it.

She mistakenly believed that the resident required three tablets instead of two but then only administered 2x1mg tablets.

On a separate occasion on November 9 last year, together with a colleague, she failed to properly check another resident’s medication and administered 5ml of Procyclidine — a drug used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s — which was not required.

Watchdogs say that in doing so she placed both residents at risk of harm.
Ms McAulay was given a 12-month warning.

Julie Sweenie, a key worker, was found guilty of the same offences and allowing a colleague to administer another 1mg of Warfarin when the resident should have only received 2mg.

On November 11, Ms Sweenie, along with another colleague, failed to check a resident’s medication record and also allowed 5ml of Procyclidine which was not required to be administered.

She has also received a 12-month sanction.

Factors in the pair’s favour were that there was no harm caused and that the women were said to have shown insight and regret in relation to their behaviour.

A spokeswoman for Blackwood said that Elsie McAulay was no longer an employee.

They told the Tele she had left of her own accord and said the decision wasn’t in relation to any proceedings.

The spokeswoman said: “The health and wellbeing of our customers is our utmost priority.

“Our robust procedures are in place to ensure the welfare of each of our customers.

“Our medication policy was diligently followed which led to the necessary action, in line with our procedure, of reporting the breaches immediately to the SSSC.

“The SSSC has confirmed that no harm was caused and that the staff concerned have undertaken further training regarding the administration of medication.

“The SSSC have also confirmed that they are satisfied that the likelihood of repeat behaviour is low.

“We do not comment further on individual cases, however we can confirm that one of the persons is no longer Blackwood employee.”