TWO social care workers based in Ayr have been handed warnings for exercising "poor judgement" in their handling of a resident. 

Linda Thomson and Agnes Curtis were both handed six-month warnings by the Scottish Social Services Council. 

The warnings took effect on October 1, with an investigation finding that the pair's fitness to practice was impaired. 

The investigation found that Curtis, who has worked in the service since 2004, had dressed and hoisted a resident - referred to as AA - into his wheelchair when he was shouting and resisting care.

It also found that Thomson, who has worked in the service since 1996, washed and dressed the resident, causing distress.

The incident took place on December 29, 2022, when their pair washed and dressed a resident who was being vocal.

Investigation papers read: "It is set out in AA’s daily routine that he prefers to remain in bed until after breakfast.

"It is also set out that AA can be resistive to care and when AA feels like this, it is best for staff to leave him for a little while to settle and think about things.

"While you do not appear to have intended to harm AA, you should have taken the time to listen to him and to have respected his wishes.

"You did not give AA the time and space that he needed to process and make decisions about his own care.

"If the same or similar behaviour were to be repeated, other vulnerable people could be placed at a risk of harm."

The pair told their employer that it was breakfast time, and the resident had previously suffered a choking episode, meaning they did not want to leave him alone in the bed where he may choke again.

The report stated that the pair had "acted in good faith", but "exercised very poor judgement".

They told their employer that they felt "absolutely awful" about the situation, but also said they would not do anything different in future because they did "everything by the book".

Alongside the warning, the pair have been told to undertake training across a number of issues.