2015: BOLTON CARE WORKER JAILED FOR BULLYING RESIDENTS AFTER CRIMINAL RECORD KNOWN
A care worker accused of bullying and mistreating residents with dementia had a prior conviction for disorderly conduct that her colleagues were aware of, a court was told.Sentencing Pamela Wolfendale to 15 months in prison, Judge Peter Davies criticized BUPA’s choice to employ her as a senior care assistant despite knowing about her 2007 conviction, calling it 'astonishing.' Wolfendale, who managed a unit at Mill View nursing home in Great Lever, was found to have shouted, sworn at,roughly handled, and acted aggressively toward residents.
The 54-year-old stood silently in court as Judge Davies explained that although there was no proof she caused physical injuries, her misconduct was criminal.
"The damage extends beyond physical harm to include loss of dignity, humiliation, and fear experienced by vulnerable elderly individuals, who deserve respectful and compassionate treatment," the judge said.
Following the sentencing, daughters Karen Potter and Dawn Fisher, whose 67-year-old mother Eileen Smith was a victim, announced plans to seek legal advice to question BUPA about their hiring procedures and the operation of the facility.
They reported that they had not received any apology or official explanation but noted improvements in staff communication and resident care since Wolfendale’s misconduct was revealed.
Mrs.
Fisher expressed disgust that the home had knowingly employed someone with a criminal record for threatening behavior.
"If they had dismissed her earlier, my mum wouldn’t have been in that situation," she said.
Mrs.
Potter added that their mother, who was threatened and forcibly moved to bed by Wolfendale, was initially frightened but now feels safe and continues to be cared for by attentive staff.
The care home declined to comment on the decision to employ a staff member with a criminal record when contacted by The Bolton News.
A jury took just one hour to find Wolfendale, of St Helen’s Road, Bolton, guilty of seven counts of mistreating six female residents at the Atlas unit during 2012 and 2013.
Judge Davies criticized the home's supervision policies, which he deemed inadequate and lacking effective whistleblowing procedures.
"It’s evident that Wolfendale exploited these systemic flaws, continuing her misconduct undetected and unchallenged," he stated.
Wolfendale, with 30 years of care experience, was first employed at Bridgeman Street, Bolton, in 2007 and was promoted in 2011 to a senior care assistant overseeing 30 residents and supervising junior staff in the Atlas unit.
The residents suffered from advanced dementia, and Wolfendale was responsible for their care from 8 pm to 8 am nightly.
Instead of caring, she often responded with irritation, anger, and bullying.
She was reported to have pushed residents harshly and, in one instance, forcibly led a woman to the showers, shoving her onto a chair and calling her a "dirty bastard." In another case, she snatched a woman's cup of tea and dragged her to her room when the resident resisted going to bed.
Wolfendale also insisted that residents wake at 5 am despite objections from staff, and forcibly dressed an elderly woman, who was naked with the door open.
Her misconduct included physical roughness and emotional abuse, extending to belittling junior staff members who questioned her actions.
Judge Davies stated, "You believed you could do as you pleased because there was no authority to challenge you, residents couldn’t complain, and staff were afraid of repercussions." He condemned her gross breach of trust towards the residents and their families, noting that she has shown no remorse for her actions.
