Daughter’s hidden camera exposes abuse of elderly mother in care home

A registered nurse secretly filmed her mother’s mistreatment in a Fife care home after repeated concerns about her welfare were ignored. Nicola Hughes, whose mother Janette Ritchie was a resident at Barrogil House near Cluny, hid a covert camera inside a radio in her mother’s bedroom. The footage she captured exposed shocking neglect and abuse.

The distressing video revealed staff members roughly handling Janette, verbally abusing her, and neglecting her basic needs. In one particularly disturbing instance, a carer was seen holding bedclothes over the 67-year-old’s head while callously saying, “Rest in Peace.”

Following the discovery, Nicola and her family brought the evidence to the attention of the care home management. As a result, five staff members were dismissed last year. However, despite the disciplinary action, the family remained concerned about the overall quality of care at the facility.

The Care Inspectorate recently upheld four complaints from the family, confirming that Janette’s personal care needs were not consistently met and that she had not always received her medication correctly. Inspectors have now set a deadline for Barrogil House to implement improvements.

Janette, who previously worked as a carer, has advanced dementia and is doubly incontinent. Her family initially felt relieved when she secured a place at Barrogil House, which specializes in dementia care and is located close to their home. However, just weeks after her admission in February 2024, Nicola noticed alarming signs of neglect. She found her mother distressed in the mornings, frequently smelling of urine, and often left in soiled clothing.

“Making the decision to install a hidden camera was terrifying,” Nicola admitted. “You fear the consequences, for yourself and your loved one. But what I discovered was absolutely heartbreaking.”

According to Nicola, the footage showed her mother being left overnight without any welfare checks, lying in her own urine. Staff were also recorded making demeaning remarks, telling Janette she “stinks” and calling her “stupid.” Some even used Nicola’s name against her mother in a manipulative manner. Despite witnessing the mistreatment, Nicola felt moving Janette to another care home would be too disruptive.

Determined to see change, Nicola repeatedly voiced her concerns to Barrogil House management, but she says her complaints were ignored. It was only after capturing the incident where a staff member held the bedclothes over Janette’s head that the family formally reported the footage to the home. This led to the dismissal of five employees.

However, even after the removals, the family continued to observe issues with Janette’s care. The Care Inspectorate’s recent findings validate the family’s complaints, noting shortcomings in Janette’s personal care and medication management. Inspectors have now mandated improvements at the facility.

A Barrogil House spokesperson stated that after concerns were raised in June last year, five staff members were dismissed. An unannounced inspection later noted good staffing levels and a commitment to respectful care. The home continues working with authorities to improve standards, including revising Mrs. Ritchie’s care plan, prioritizing residents’ health and well-being.

With the Care Inspectorate now overseeing improvements at Barrogil House, Nicola and her family remain hopeful that real changes will be made not just for Janette, but for all residents under the home’s care.