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Woman secretly filmed her mum being abused in care home

A woman secretly filmed her mother's mistreatment in a care home after concerns she raised about her care were ignored.

Nicola Hughes, who is a registered nurse, hid a covert camera in a radio in her mother's bedroom at Barrogil House in Fife.

The footage revealed staff roughly handling Janette Ritchie and shouting at her. One carer was filmed holding bedclothes over her head and saying "Rest in Peace".

Five people were dismissed last year after the care home was made aware of the footage.

However, the family continued to have concerns about standards, which they raised with the Care Inspectorate – and it has now upheld four complaints against the home.

"Making a decision to put cameras into someone's room is nerve-wracking because you're frightened - frightened of consequences for me, for my mum. You're frightened about what you're going to find on these cameras," Nicola said.

"What I discovered was absolutely heartbreaking.

"My mum was getting left overnight without any welfare checks being completed. Unfortunately, my mum's incontinent so she was left lying in her own urine.

"Staff verbally abusing her, emotionally abusing her - telling her that she's stinking, telling her that she's stupid. Using my name against her."

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Source: BBC News, 4 March 2025

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