A Scottish woman took matters into her own hands after her repeated concerns about her mother’s treatment in a care home were ignored. Nicola Hughes, a registered nurse, secretly placed a hidden camera in her mother’s bedroom at Barrogil House in Fife only to uncover heartbreaking evidence of neglect and mistreatment.
Nicola’s mother, Janette Ritchie, a 67-year-old former caregiver battling dementia, had been living at the facility since February 2024. Initially, the family was relieved to secure a place at the dementia-specialized home, just miles from where they lived. However, Nicola soon noticed disturbing changes… her mother appeared distressed in the mornings and was often left soaked in urine.
Determined to uncover the truth, Nicola concealed a covert camera inside a radio in Janette’s room. The footage she retrieved was devastating. It captured staff members handling Janette roughly, verbally abusing her, and neglecting her basic needs. One horrifying clip even showed a carer holding bedclothes over her head while cruelly saying, “Rest in Peace.”
Upon witnessing the appalling treatment, Nicola and her family immediately reported the footage to Barrogil House. As a result, five employees were dismissed in 2023 following an internal investigation. However, despite these terminations, the family continued to raise concerns about the overall standards of care at the facility.
The family escalated their complaints to the Care Inspectorate, which has since upheld four formal complaints against Barrogil House. Nicola, still shaken by what she discovered, expressed the emotional turmoil of her decision to install the hidden camera.
“Making the choice to install a camera was terrifying. You’re afraid of what you might find and the possible consequences. But what I saw was beyond heartbreaking,” Nicola said.
“My mum was being left overnight with no welfare checks, sitting in her own urine. Staff were emotionally and verbally abusing her… calling her ‘stupid,’ telling her she ‘stinks,’ and even using my name against her.”
While Nicola acknowledges that some staff members provided excellent care, she believes the system failed her mother. Her heartbreaking discovery has reignited urgent conversations about care home oversight, patient safety, and the need for more stringent regulations.
This shocking case has left many questioning the level of care provided in dementia facilities across Scotland. As Nicola and her family continue to advocate for change, this story serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in elderly care.
