BBC to broadcast 'care home abuse'
Published on 23 April 2012 11:00 AM
The BBC's Panorama programme is to broadcast footage of an 80-year-old care home resident being beaten several times by a staff member - the first time it is to be aired on television.
Footage of Alzheimer's sufferer Maria Worroll claims to show her being mistreated by staff at Ash Court Care Centre in Kentish Town, London, last year.
Mrs Worroll's daughter, Jane, hid a camera in her room, which captured a male carer striking the 80-year-old six times on the face, arms and abdomen, the documentary claims.
Earlier this month, Jonathan Aquino, 30, received an 18-month jail sentence for assaulting Mrs Worroll after appearing at Blackfriars Crown Court.
Forest Healthcare, the care home's operator, sacked a quartet of Aquino's female colleagues after reviewing the footage, according to the documentary.
Acute arthritis sufferer Mrs Worroll was said to be manhandled by her carers and on one occasion put to bed at 5.30pm.
It is claimed that on other occasions the carers would not even acknowledge Mrs Worroll and instead watch the television in her room.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General of Age UK said: 'Cases such as these will inevitably worry people living in care homes and their loved ones. Every single case of abuse or neglect in care homes is one too many and any suspicion or accusation of abuse, neglect or improper care must be taken seriously and immediately acted upon in the first instance by the management of the home.
'If you are worried that an older person is being abused or neglected by care home workers and need advice on what to do then Age UK's advice line can help on 0800 169 6565.'
Copyright Press Association 2012