A grandmother who was forced to quit her career as a care worker after an attack by an aggressive patient, has been awarded a £12,500 out of court payout. The UNISON member, identified as Mrs Hunt, was held in a headlock and punched by an elderly patient, Jack Tooby, in September 2005.
The care home knew Mr Tooby had a history of violence, particularly towards women. Concerns had also been raised by staff, but bosses refused to transfer him to a secure home or hospital. Mrs Hunt had worked at Swan House care home, in Winslow, Buckinghamshire since 2002, but had never been given any training in dealing with aggressive patients. The 56-year-old had been alone in the home’s dementia unit, helping a patient go to the toilet, when Mr Tooby attacked her. She managed to reach the emergency alarm to call a colleague, but still suffered a trapped nerve and serious neck and shoulder problems.
