A DALMUIR care home worker was fired after investigations found that she had attended an indoor gender reveal party with more than 20 others during Covid restrictions in 2020.

Karen Greer, who previously worked as a care assistant at Hill View Care Home, was dismissed from her position following the outcome of the probe.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) recently published its decision on the case following a panel hearing stating that a sanction had been made “based on the facts” finding Ms Greer’s fitness to practise was “impaired”.

The report goes on to state that the SSSC decided there is evidence that on or around October 30, 2020, while employed at the Dalmuir home, Ms Greer attended an indoor social event with around 20 individuals, in breach of Government Covid-19 regulations at the time.

In light of this the SSSC state that her fitness to practise is “impaired due to misconduct” and therefore they felt the appropriate sanction would be to place a warning on Ms Greer’s registration for a period of six months, starting from June 7, 2022.

The report highlights that this was an isolated incident and that there was no actual harm caused by Ms Greer’s actions however, the SSSC stated her behaviour showed a “serious disregard” for the Codes of Practise.

It also indicates that Ms Greer did not “engage meaningfully with the SSSC during the investigation and expressed no insight, regret, or apology”.

Owners of Hill View Care Home, Advinia Care Homes Limited, took their own action on the case and a spokesperson told the Post that the company operates a “zero-tolerance policy with regard to the breaking of local coronavirus restrictions”.

They said: “At the end of 2020, when these allegations were brought to our attention, this staff member was suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. On conclusion of that investigation, she was dismissed from her position.

“Throughout the pandemic we operated a zero-tolerance policy with regard to the breaking of local coronavirus restrictions and we always expected our staff to follow the very latest Scottish Government guidance, both at work and in their local community.

“The safety and wellbeing of our residents and colleagues is our number one priority, and we continue to follow the very highest infection control protocols in our homes.”