On 9 January 2020 Alastair Quinn, a former Mental Health Care Home Nurse, was jailed for assaulting and neglecting dementia patients in his care.
Mr Quinn worked at Covent House Care Home in Birtley, Gateshead. Following a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court he received a 2 year Prison sentence having been convicted of eight charges of ill treatment of a person lacking capacity.
Covent House Care Home is run by Prestwick Care. They employed Mr Quinn to look after dementia patients. Residents at the Care Home reported hearing screams from a patient’s bathroom when Mr Quinn showered him. It was reported one patient was knocked over by Mr Quinn with such force that he cut his head. Other reported incidents included a patient being pushed over when she would not take her medication, Mr Quinn holding an elderly man’s shoulder and swiping his feet from under him and further Mr Quinn telling a patient to “hurry up and die”.
It is distressing to hear such abuse of vulnerable persons many of whom may not be in a position to account or even recall the abuse behind closed doors. Relatives will no doubt be dismayed having entrusted the care of their vulnerable relatives to the Care Home.
Any awards of compensation for the abuse suffered cannot in any way excuse or atone Mr Quinn’s behaviour. The victims’ relatives however may now seek such payments from Prestwick Care for the actions of their employee Alastair Quinn during his employment with them.
Our experience in bringing claims is that private companies and public authorities are encouraged to put their house in order.
We have a team of Specialist Solicitors with years of experience in pursuing abuse claims. If you or a relative have been subjected to abuse please contact either Richard Hardy or Andrew Freckleton.
