A grandmother, who was forced to quit her career as a care worker after an
attack by an aggressive patient, has been awarded £12,500 in compensation,
with help from UNISON.
Ms Hunt, from Winslow, in Buckinghamshire, was held in a headlock and
punched by elderly patient in September 2005.
The care home knew the patient had a history of violence, particularly
towards women.
Concerns had also been raised by staff, but bosses refused to transfer him to
a secure home or hospital.
Ms Hunt had worked at Swan House care home, in Winslow, since 2002, but
had never been given any training on dealing with aggressive patients.
The 56-year-old had been alone in the homeÕs dementia unit, helping a
patient go to the toilet, when the violent patient attacked her.
She managed to reach the emergency alarm to call a colleague, but she
suffered a trapped nerve and serious neck and shoulder problems.
The attack forced Ms Hunt to give up her job, as she could no longer lift, but
she has found a new career helping adults with learning difficulties.
Swan House Heritage Care settled the claim out of court.
Ms Hunt said:
ÒI was shocked at how I was treated by the care home, as I was a good
employee, who regularly worked 14 hour shifts.
ÒI suffered badly with my injuries and my 20-year-old son, who lives with
me, went through hell watching it.
ÒIt was also upsetting that my friends at the home were told not to speak to
me after the attack, as bosses just wanted to brush it under the carpet.
ÒI loved looking after old people with dementia and could easily cope in the
job, but not with somebody so violent. There should have been another
member of staff with me.
ÒI faced living a life on incapacity benefits because of the lasting effects, but I
have managed to find a new job that I love, working with adults with learning
difficulties – I just love caring for people.Ó
Steve Brazier, Head of Health for UNISONÕs South Eastern Region, said:
ÒIt is shameful that bosses fail to protect care assistants like Mrs Hunt, who
face the threat of violence at work on a daily basis.
ÒAttacks in the caring professions are a real concern, with one in three
workers being assaulted every year.
ÒMany staff also face verbal abuse and aggression, but a large number of
attacks still go unreported, so the real figure is much higher.
ÒWe want to see more measures put in place to protect care workers,
including risk assessments and correct staffing levels.
ÒEveryone should be entitled to do a hard days work without fearing for their
health.Ó