Carer of elderly suspended over Facebook abuse

Simone Cox used her mobile phone writing comments when she was at work, which were littered with swearing.

Her shocking behaviour came to light after a relative, who accessed Ms Cox's Facebook page, complained and asked her to remove the disrespectful and offensive references.

But she refused and the woman who complained, who works in the NHS, said she felt she had to bring the situation to light to stop the online abuse of residents.

Yesterday the manager at Chapel Garth residential care home in Central Avenue, Bentley, Doncaster, confirmed Ms Cox had been suspended.

One comment involved swearing and said: "Only been here three hours and have already been pinched and bruised, kicked and punched and had water thrown at me, lil ****s!"

Ms Cox has worked the late shift at the privately-owned home since April and was still on her probationary period at the time. She later wrote that a resident had poured a bucket of water over another staff member.

She also complained about the pay and questioned: "Should we have to put up with these abusive lil s***s." And the following morning she said she was "home now out the way" before going on to make further derogatory comments.

When contacted, Ms Cox admitted making the comments on Facebook, but added: "I was stressed and having a lot to do at work."

Ms Cox had worked the night shift at the privately-owned home since April and was still on her probationary period. In other posts she said she liked her job. She wrote: "I really like my job, not every night is like that. Must have been a full moon or summat."

The woman who made the initial complaint asked to remain anonymous, but said she had asked for the comments to be removed because they were: "abusive and could get her into trouble".

She said: "She has refused to do so, telling me she can do as she pleases when she pleases. I feel these people, who primarily suffer from dementia, should be protected from such abusive comments. Name calling of this kind is unacceptable and extremely offensive.

"I think relatives should be aware of what she is posting about their family members. Elders with mental impairments are still people and therefore should be treated with dignity and respect."

Ms Cox, of Church Street, Bentley, blocked and deleted the complainant as a Facebook "friend" after she objected.

A spokeswoman for Bestquest, which owns Chapel Garth, said: "Bestquest considers the welfare and safety of the service users in its care as paramount and the company always strives to maintain the highest standard of care.

"The company has policies in place which expressly prohibit misconduct by its staff. This matter will be thoroughly investigated following which all appropriate disciplinary action will be taken."

Chapel Garth was in the news five years ago when former boss Stephen Corry was jailed for a year in 2005 for sexual harassment and mistreating a patient.