Minister backs mum sacked for helping woman (From Your Local Guardian)

Minister backs mum sacked for helping woman

2:10pm Friday 17th February 2012 in Top Stories By James Pepper

Care Minister Paul Burstow backs mum sacked for helping woman

A leading government minister has launched a review after a woman was sacked for helping a 95-year-old woman who had soiled herself.

Paul Burstow, minister for care services and MP for Sutton and Cheam, is looking into practices at the Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) following a complaint.

Mother-of-two Sue Angold was sacked by the SHP when it decided the former nurse should have waited for carers before listening to the woman's cries for help.

Mrs Angold had visited a woman at her home in Waddon who was soaked in urine and begging for help following the trigger of a panic alarm button.

Mrs Angold, 50, said: "I am very, very hopeful after hearing Mr Burstow is getting involved in the problems at the SHP. It is so important to ensure the quality of care is at a high standard. I'm not confident it is at the moment. It is not about me, its about making sure people get the best possible treatment."

Mrs Angold, of Sutton Common Road, was previously evicted from a home she had been given by SHP in her previous job as a warden in a sheltered housing scheme.

Mr Burstow received a unrelated complaint from an constituent about the SHP, which runs the majority of Sutton Councils council housing, prompting him to insist on a review into its practices.

Mr Burstow said: "I have asked for a review into the situation behind my constituency case and it will look at the training of staff and alarm call service."

"The case I am looking into is separate to Sue's case, but it raised further questions about the service (SHP) provides."

An on-line petition on iPetitions has gathered nearly 4,000 signatures backing Mrs Angold's actions.

Among the words of support are: "The decision to dismiss Sue Angold is totally unfair and disgusting. They have made a huge mistake letting someone as kind and caring as Sue go."

"We regularly monitor the mobile response service we provide and consistently continue to exceed the service standards the Council have set with us. When we are advised of the review and it’s timescales we will be very happy to participate."