Family of woman abused by Romford care home nurse call for introduction of CCTV
An extract of a video where Bridget Rees holds her hands up to nurse Grace Bello during her time at Mary Seacole Nursing Home. - Credit: Archant
The family who recorded a 92-year-old grandmother being physically and verbally abused by a Romford nurse on a hidden camera, have called for CCTV to be installed in care homes.
The petition, which was launched by Bridget Rees’ relatives last week, has already received in excess of 10,000 signatures.
Faderera Grace Bello, 54, of Southern Way, was jailed for four months after she was secretly filmed manhandling, poking and verbally abusing Mrs Rees.
Donna Davis, Bridget Rees’ granddaughter, said she believed the presence of CCTV cameras would prevent others suffering similar abuse to her grandmother.
She said: “We do not want anything like this to happen to another patient while they have dementia or are vulnerable. Nobody should ever be put through that kind of abuse.”
Mrs Rees’ family used an alarm clock containing a hidden motion-activated camera to record the abuse after Mrs Rees told them a nurse had caused bruises.
The family had been told the marks could be related to dementia or medication but the shocking footage recorded by the camera revealed abuse.
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Donna, 35, of Hackney, said that without the footage recorded it would have been difficult to secure the conviction of the nurse.
She feels that surveillance in care homes will also ensure that caring staff members are attracted to the profession and offer them protection against false claims.
The family of Bridget Rees hope the petition will be signed by 100,000 people, triggering a debate in parliament.
They have also written to MPs. The petition can be viewed at 38degrees.org.uk. It is entitled CCTV in all care/ nursing home in the UK.
