Glasgow care home worker given 3-year warning for dragging vulnerable woman along floor after fall

A watchdog has issued a formal warning to a care home worker who caused a vulnerable woman to fall and subsequently pulled her along the floor by her armpits. Salieu Ruffai, a support worker, was found to have used incorrect procedures when trying to move the resident from her chair without waking her.

Additionally, Ruffai neglected to use a hoist after the woman's fall, opting to drag her along the floor instead from the bathroom back to her chair. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) also criticised the caregiver for not seeking assistance and for failing to report the incident to superiors, suggesting an attempt to conceal their wrongdoing.

The council said the behaviour of Ruffai, who was working at Orchard Grove House in Glasgow, fell below the "acceptable standard of care expected of a social service worker". The watchdog said: "By causing (the woman) to fall and then dragging her along the floor by her underarms and failing to use a hoist to move her safely after she had fallen, you violated the rights of the service user to be cared for in a dignified manner and placed her at risk of serious physical and emotional harm."

The watchdog added: "Failing to seek assistance or to report that [the woman] had fallen placed her at further risk of harm and showed a disregard for her wellbeing."

Following an investigation, the SSSC concluded that Ruffai's fitness to practise was impaired and has now handed them a three-year warning on their registration. Several conditions have also been imposed, including a requirement for Ruffai to undertake moving and handling training. The 36-month warning came into effect on Wednesday (January 31).