Care home pair in the clear

Jan 25 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

TWO women staff at a Black Country care home have been cleared of mistreating an elderly resident after a lengthy council inquiry.

The two women, who worked at the Grafton Lodge Resource Centre, in Grafton Road, Oldbury, were arrested in August over allegations they had been involved in an incident with an 83-year-old woman who suffers from mental health problems.

The Black Country Mail revealed on December 24 that the women had been cleared by police following an extensive investigation.

Now the women have also been exonerated by Sandwell Council, the Mail can reveal.

The local authority's cabinet member for adult services and health, Coun Iris Boucher, said in a statement: "Our internal investigation found there are no grounds for disciplinary action and the workers concerned are now able to return to care duties."

The women, aged 47 and 60, were switched to noncare duties after a relative of the 83-year-old woman lodged a complaint about alleged mistreatment.

Now they are free to return to care duties, although it is unclear whether they will go back to Grafton Lodge.

One of the women involved, who has asked not to be named, said she was relieved she had finally been found innocent of any wrong-doing.

But she said she had been "shocken and traumatised" by the whole episode.

"It's been a nightmare five months and caused a great deal of stress. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong all along though and I am obviously glad the investigation has cleared us both.

"All I want to do now is get back to the job I love, but where I end up has still to be decided," she added.