Dementia sufferer, 87, 'pinned' to bed by carer who was allowed to keep working

A care home has apologised after a support worker 'pinned' an 87-year-old dementia sufferer to her bed then was allowed to keep working.

The support worker continued to do her job during a police investigation into the incident.

Amanda Thornhill was found guilty of wilful neglect after she restrained Marian Johnson and prevented her getting out of bed at the Each Step care home in Blackley, Manchester, in March 2018.

Mrs Johnson's family have told of their anger after Ms Thornhill was allowed to continue working at the home despite authorities being called in to probe the incident.

Ms Thornhill, 48, was eventually sacked after being convicted, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Community Integrated Care, the charity which runs the home, said it apologised for 'any distress this situation caused' adding the 'more appropriate course of action would have been to suspend Ms Thornhill from work until the outcome of the case'.

Following a four-day trial in June last year at Manchester Crown Court, Ms Thornhill, of Blackley, was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 150 hours community service.

Mrs Johnson's son Ian, 59, of New Moston, told of the moment he learned of the incident, which took place in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Johnson said: "I was just devastated. I didn't understand how it could have happened. I was at work when the home called and I just felt a bit helpless.

"When I got to the home my mum was holding her thumbs. She didn't understand why they were hurting.

"She has severe dementia. She doesn't have the capacity to tell me what happened, but you could tell she knew something wasn't right.

"In court they said Amanda Thornhill had been trying to put mum to bed for about two hours.

"On the fifth time she quite aggressively grabbed hold of my mum's arms and legs and pinned her to the bed.

"Because I don't have power of attorney they basically said it's an internal process which has nothing to do with you.

"Even after all this time they are saying they will give me a substantive response - I've never had it.

"Even though I'm her son, her direct relative, I wasn't entitled to the information."

Ms Thornhill has maintained her innocence and told the Manchester Evening News she believes her actions and the amount of force she used were reasonable.

She said: "It was a busy night. There were lots of buzzers going off in three other rooms.

"I was on my own on the unit looking after 12 residents.

"It usually took more than one attempt to put [Mrs Johnson] to bed.

"On the fourth attempt at putting her to bed she lashed out at me without warning."

She claimed: "It wasn't her fault, she's got dementia, but she was hitting me, kicking me and trying to bite me.

"I got hold of her hands and tried to block her from hitting me.

"A colleague came in as the lady was wrestling with me, trying to push me off the bed.

"She saw what was happening, the lady was saying her thumb was hurting, and my colleague asked me to go to another room.

"I was called in the next day and told I was suspended from caring duties.

"A few days later I was interviewed at a police station and was charged about 12 months after that.

"I don't think I could have done it any other way that night.

"She wasn't safe. I felt it best to try and keep her in bed.

"I don't feel I stepped over the line.

"I would never act maliciously against one of my residents. Even the judge, when he was summing up the case, said my actions weren't malicious.

"I have maintained my innocence all the way through this.

"I've been a carer for 17/18 years. I've always acted in the best interests of the residents.  It's all I've ever wanted to do.

"It's had a real effect on my mental health. Why would I risk my job, my income to do that?"

In a statement Carolyn McConnell, director of Quality at Community Integrated Care said: "At Community Integrated Care the safety and wellbeing of the people we support is paramount and as soon as we became aware of the allegation against Ms Thornhill, we took immediate action, notifying all relevant authorities.

"Ms Thornhill was dismissed from our employment following her conviction and the conclusion of our own disciplinary investigation.

"However, following an internal review of this matter, we recognise that whilst we did suspend Ms Thornhill from care duties during the inquiry, the more appropriate course of action would have been to suspend her from work until the outcome of the case.

"As with all investigations, there is limited information we can share during police proceedings, so as not to impede the criminal process.

"This was relayed to Mr Johnson during discussions at the time and we do understand how this can be upsetting for family members and loved ones. We remain committed to working with Mr Johnson to address any concerns he has.

"Community Integrated Care apologises for any distress this situation has caused and we will ensure we learn all necessary lessons from this experience."