A GALASHIELS social care worker who demonstrated “uncaring and abusive” conduct towards vulnerable people has been struck off a watchdog register.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that Iryna Brydon’s fitness to practise had been impaired due to incidents with two patients – referred to as AA and BB in its report.

Brydon was found to have forcefully pushed AA, who had dementia, back into her chair on more than one occasion when she was trying to get up.

She also used an aggressive tone and told AA that her mother had died when she was crying and calling for her, according to the report.

The SSSC said Brydon’s behaviour caused an increase in AA’s emotional distress.

Brydon was also found to have pulled BB down the bed by his ankles.

She denied most of the behaviours, according to the SSSC.

A report outlining the watchdog’s decision states: “Social service workers are expected to treat the vulnerable residents in their care with dignity and respect, to care for them with compassion and to protect them from harm.

“Your conduct towards AA was cruel, controlling, aggressive and demeaning. It amounts to serious physical and emotional abuse, which is fundamentally incompatible with professional registration.

“You were aware of AA’s particular vulnerabilities, and that she was already in some emotional distress.

“Your conduct towards her was sustained, completely unnecessary, and caused an increase in her distress.”

It adds: “Your conduct towards BB was also controlling, demeaning, and abusive. It shows a serious disregard for BB’s safety and wellbeing, risking physical injury and emotional harm to him.

“The two incidents present a pattern of similar uncaring and abusive conduct towards vulnerable people. Given that pattern, and that you have not shown any meaningful insight, we have concerns that there is a risk of the behaviour being repeated.

“If it was repeated, it would place vulnerable people at risk of serious harm.

“We therefore consider that there are public protection and public interest concerns that need to be addressed.”

The SSSC said Brydon was “very experienced” and had received training in dementia awareness and moving and handling.