A CARER who put laxatives into dementia patients’ porridge and juice has been able to continue working.

Melissa Cordella McNeillis also restrained a resident by strapping him into a wheelchair using a belt and pushed another into water despite complaints it was too hot, a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing has heard.

The hearing, which ended last week, concluded a suspension would have been disproportionate and instead McNeillis was given an 18 month condition of practice order which means she must work under supervision of a line manager.

She was working for the privately-owned care home Filsham Lodge, Hailsham, when the acts took place in January last year.

A hearing in London heard how on January 20 McNeillis’ head of care had prepared porridge for five residents who were to have their breakfast in bed that morning.

When the bowls were briefly unattended, the carer poured Lactulose, a type of laxative, into each of the bowls and when confronted at the time, she replied, “they need it”.

But the hearing heard how the McNeillis had no way of knowing who the porridge was for.

The hearing heard how on the same morning, McNeillis was found whisking sachets of Laxido, another laxative, into a jug of juice which had been left in the lounge for residents and their guests.

The hearing also heard how McNeillis strapped another resident into a wheelchair using a belt to restrain him and the hearing heard how this was against the care home's policy.

Earlier that month, on January 9, McNeillis was seen pushing a resident’s legs into a bowl of water despite complaints it was too hot.

Following which, she pulled skin from the residents heels in the communal area, something the panel felt was undignified and that infection control was not being maintained.

The hearing panel acknowledged McNeillis, who had been in the profession for 20 years, had shown no remorse specific to the residents she had treated.

It said: “The panel concluded that an 18 month conditions of practice order was the appropriate length as it would give you time to find an employer who will allow you to practice under these conditions, so that you can demonstrate to a reviewing panel that you are safe to return to unrestricted practice.”

Manager Anne Crousse, of the Sovereign Care Ltd run care home which has a 'good' rating, said she dismissed McNeillis as soon as she found out about her transgressions in January.

She said: "This has happened, it’s unfortunate, but as a home we took action as soon as we knew about it."

She added: “As a manager I feel I did everything to protect my residents.

“My carers are excellent and my care is excellent – the staff did the right thing in reporting it.

“We love our residents."