London, July 1 (IANS) An Indian-origin care home manager in Britain has been barred from the profession after being found guilty of housing elderly residents in inhospitable conditions ‘no better than a kennel’.
During Ramdai Singh’s watch, a 70-year-old dementia sufferer lost 70 kg after being fed a diet of tea, chocolate and a drink supplement in a urine-soaked room, the Daily Mail reported.
The resident, who was made to wear a nappy pad, had to drink out of a plastic beaker that was stained, dirty and furry, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel, a disciplinary group heard.
On Thursday, NMC found Ramdai Singh, 48, guilty of misconduct for displaying a ‘flagrant disregard for basic nursing principles’ at the Elmer Sands Nursing Home in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.
The accusations that Ramdai Singh left carpets smelling of urine and bed covers soiled with faeces were found proved. It was also found true that she kept inadequate records regarding residents’ food intake and did not provide a varied diet.
Ramdai Singh was also found guilty of failing to ensure the nursing home was a safe environment. She allowed staff to work before required checks were carried out, by leaving food in the fridge unlabelled and uncovered and leaving a toilet to leak.
Her actions and failures were found to be incompatible to allow her to continue practising as a nurse, the profession’s watchdog ruled.
Ramdai Singh broke nursing rules during her time at the home – which caters for elderly people with dementia and other age-related ailments – between May 2004 and November 2006, the conduct and competence committee of the NMC ruled.
Panel chairman Paul Hindley said: ‘We consider her actions and omissions represent gross neglect.
‘The failures were extensive and undoubtedly had an effect on elderly and vulnerable patients and have shown a flagrant disregard for basic nursing principles.’
