Care worker suspended over medication blunder

A care worker who failed to give a service user medication and then tried to hide her mistake has been suspended from the register in Northern Ireland.

At a misconduct hearing last week, Sarah Roy, formerly a senior care assistant employed by Clanmil Housing Association in Belfast, admitted trying to cover up her error by removing two tablets from the packet.

She told the Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s conduct committee that she failed to properly administer medication to two other residents at the same home.

The conduct committee found Roy guilty of misconduct on both occasions. Roy also admitted once failing to record what medication had been given and leaving a medication cupboard unlocked.

“Adherence to medical procedures and protocols is a fundamental aspect of social care practice,” the committee said.

“Roy committed a number of medication errors and had attempted to conceal her failures, which questioned her integrity and honesty.”

The committee suspended Roy for six months, which it said was appropriate given that she had already been banned from practising for a “considerable period”.

A spokesperson for Clanmil said : “Sarah Roy left our employ in April 2010, prior to which she was subject to disciplinary proceedings. In line with requirements, we notified the Northern Ireland Social Care Council and as a result Ms Roy has now been suspended from the social care register.

“We are committed to providing the very highest standard of care for residents.”

Read the full notice of decision

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