Mechelle McBride says she repeatedly found her mother with unexplained bruises (Image: Daily Record)
A daughter has spoken of her heartbreak after repeatedly finding her mother covered in bruises and suffering unexplained injuries while living in a Glasgow care home. Mechelle McBride said she watched her mother Elizabeth’s health steadily deteriorate while she was a resident at Greyfriars Care Home in Mount Vernon Elizabeth, who was living with vascular dementia after suffering a stroke during the Covid pandemic, died in December 2022 aged 81.
Following legal action brought by Mechelle, the care home admitted liability and agreed to pay compensation to Elizabeth’s estate. Speaking about her experience, Mechelle said her campaign was never about financial compensation but about securing accountability. She said: “It was horrendous knowing she was in there and wasn’t being looked after properly. Because my concerns and complaints were ignored, I went to the Care Inspectorate, which upheld every one of my complaints.
“It was never about the money. It doesn’t bring my mum back. It was about making them listen. I don’t believe they are fit for purpose.”
Elizabeth McBride died in 2022 after living with vascular dementia. (Image: Daily Record)
Elizabeth entered the care home aged 79 after developing vascular dementia. According to Mechelle, she was expected to receive one-to-one care.
Instead, she claims she repeatedly found her mother with unexplained bruising, swollen hands and other injuries, while also suffering dramatic weight loss.
“My mum had been paying for one-to-one care and she was left with just £16 a week from her pension and wasn’t receiving the care she was paying for,” Mechelle said.
“We were told she needed one-to-one care, but she didn’t get it. If she had she wouldn’t have had bruising to her face, swollen hands or a broken nail bed.”
Because of Covid restrictions, Mechelle said every visit became increasingly distressing.
“I’d go in and her face would be black and blue. Her hands were swollen. She was fading away,” she said.
She also claimed her mother was admitted to hospital weighing less than five stone and alleged staff failed to adequately address her personal care needs.
After repeatedly raising concerns with the care home, Mechelle contacted the Care Inspectorate.
An investigation upheld all three of her complaints.
The Care Inspectorate upheld all three complaints made by Elizabeth’s family. (Image: Daily Record)
Inspectors found Elizabeth’s family “could not be confident” that her nutritional care needs had consistently been met after records showed she lost around 10kg over seven months.
The watchdog also identified gaps in record keeping, including a lack of evidence that planned referrals to a dentist, dietitian or GP had been completed.
Inspectors additionally found Elizabeth had not consistently met her recommended daily fluid intake, with no documented follow-up action.
The report also raised concerns over communication with the family following falls that resulted in facial injuries.
It stated: “We were concerned that significant facial injuries had been sustained and external health professionals had not been contacted.”
The Care Inspectorate made three recommendations, including improving monitoring of residents at risk of malnutrition or dehydration, ensuring families are informed appropriately and making prompt referrals to healthcare professionals following injuries.
Following the investigation, Mechelle instructed Thompsons Solicitors Scotland to pursue a civil claim against the care home.
The legal action concluded with a five-figure settlement after the home admitted liability.
Seonaid Brophy, partner at Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, said: “The mistreatment suffered by Mrs McBride at the Greyfriars Care Facility is simply abhorrent. It’s deeply regrettable that myself and my team are seeing too many cases of elder abuse.
“Elizabeth’s family showed great courage in standing up for their mum and pursuing those responsible. I’m glad we were able to secure accountability from the care home and secure the family compensation.”
The Express has contacted the care home for comment.