Carer who took 'demeaning' videos of dementia patients sentenced

A senior nursing assistant who took and shared videos of patients with advanced dementia, including a video of a patient in a bath, has been sentenced to two years probation and 100 hours community service.

Ciara Corvan, 28, from Cathedral View in Armagh, was working at the Bluestone Unit of Craigavon Area Hospital in 2023 when she took the videos, which included comments deemed offensive.

Colleagues who received the videos reported the behaviour.

Families said Corvan "sought entertainment in humiliating those who were being tormented every day through the slow and cruel loss of their ability".

On Monday, Judge Patrick McGurgan said the senior nursing assistant's actions were "demeaning to those you owed a duty of care to".

Police said this prosecution was the first of its kind for Northern Ireland, in terms of the ill treatment of patients through degrading photography, videos and commentary.

In a joint statement the families said they were "saddened by the seeming lack of morals in this social media generation".

They added that they hoped the sentencing made people "think about their conduct online and how they treat people".

"Please stop and think – if that was your mother or father, how would you want them to be treated?"

In May of this year Corvan pleaded guilty to seven charges against four victims.

The court heard these included a video of a patient in the bath, another of a patient in bed and another with her nose almost touching one of the patients.

On Monday, the judge said that although the offending was not physical in nature, it was a "serious breach of trust".

"Each family who placed a love one in care as a last resort expects them to be treated with respect and dignity," he said.

He handed down a sentence of two years probation and 100 hours community service for seven counts of ill treatments of patients under the Mental Health Order (NI) 1986.

"The public must have confidence in those who provide care," he said.

Outside the court, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Det Ch Insp Claire McDonald said: "Corvan exploited their vulnerabilities, specifically their lack of capacity and communication for her own entertainment.

"Today her actions are proven criminal, in the first case of its kind for Northern Ireland."

The PSNI said it is using this sentencing as an example for people in positions of trust with vulnerable people to be deterred from ever taking advantage of someone in their care this way.

In a statement, a Southern Trust spokesperson said the organisation was "deeply sorry for the actions of an employee" and fully recognised "the distress this situation caused".

They said patient safety remained the "highest priority" and that all staff were expected "to always uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism".

They added that as soon as this incident came to light, it was reported to their adult protection team for "prompt assessment and action, including engagement with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)".

The trust said it "took immediate steps to remove the staff member from duty as part of the agreed protection arrangements".

"Family members were informed at the earliest opportunity, and the trust has provided ongoing support to families throughout this investigation."

The Commissioner for Older People Siobhan Casey said that "lessons will be learned".

"It's crushing for someone to be put into care," she told Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

Casey said it was really important that families have the confidence in the system.

"Safeguarding is paramount... in this case it was an example of how the families and individuals have been failed."

She added her office is calling to strengthen safeguarding protections and said the Adult Protection Bill currently going through the assembly is "critical" to strengthen protections for vulnerable adults.