Mechelle McBride has described the horror of finding her mother Elizabeth covered in unexplained bruises and injuries while living at Greyfriars Care Home in Mount Vernon, Glasgow. Following legal action, the care home admitted liability and awarded a five-figure compensation payout to Elizabeth's estate.
Mother's health deteriorated amid ignored concerns
Elizabeth, who had vascular dementia, moved into the home in 2021 at age 79 after a stroke during the Covid pandemic. Mechelle believed her mother would receive one-to-one care, but instead watched her suffer repeated falls, significant weight loss, and a series of unexplained injuries.
Mechelle 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."
Unexplained injuries and inadequate care
Mechelle documented her mother's decline with photographs taken during visits. She described finding Elizabeth with black-and-blue faces, swollen hands, cradle cap, and a broken nail bed. On one occasion, Elizabeth was hospitalised weighing less than five stone (31.8 kg).
"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."
Care Inspectorate upheld complaints
After the care home ignored her concerns, Mechelle contacted the Care Inspectorate. An inspection in March 2022 found that Elizabeth's nutritional care was inconsistent: she lost around 10 kilograms (22lb) over seven months. Inspectors also noted gaps in record-keeping for medical referrals, including a lack of evidence that a dentist referral for new dentures was made, and that planned referrals to a dietitian and GP discussions about weight loss were not completed.
The inspection report stated: "We were concerned the dentures may have contributed to the weight loss and appropriate referrals to a dietitian or GP had not been completed. As a result of the evidence, we confirmed the family of Elizabeth McBride could not be confident her nutritional care and support needs had always been met."
Inspectors also found the care home failed to communicate with Mechelle after falls resulting in injuries, and did not contact external health professionals when Elizabeth became unable to bear weight. Three recommendations were made, including improving monitoring of food and fluid intake, clarifying when families should be contacted, and ensuring prompt contact with healthcare professionals after falls.
Legal action and compensation
Mechelle instructed Thompsons Solicitors Scotland to pursue a civil claim, resulting in a five-figure settlement after the care home admitted liability. Seonaid Brophy, a partner at the firm, 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."
Elizabeth died in December 2022 at age 81. Mechelle said speaking publicly is about ensuring no other family endures what hers went through. The care home was contacted for comment.
