A CARE worker has been told to expect jail after neglecting an 84-year-old woman with dementia by leaving her partially submerged in a bath.
The woman's health has "significantly deteriorated" as a consequence of being left in the bath with water lapping into her mouth.
Carer Natalie Gillan, 29, left the room to get a flannel but ended up talking to her colleagues about having to work late after another member of staff did not turn up to work.
She was gone for 15 min- utes.
Gillan has now admitted the ill treatment of a person who lacks mental capacity through willful neglect.
It happened at Goole's Windsor Court Care Home, where Gillan worked as a carer.
She was looking after the woman, who was one of the most vulnerable patients and was immobile, incontinent and suffering from dementia.
Judge Mark Bury said Gillan was likely to receive a prison sentence when she appeared at Hull Crown Court yesterday.
He said: "As a result of your neglect, it appears this woman's health has significantly deteriorated. I want some more information as to how badly that deterioration has been because it will affect your sentence.
"It seems to me, although I will not be the sentencing judge, a custodial sentence to be served immediately is almost inevitable."
Police began investigating after a complaint from the victim's daughter.
Prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, Philip Evans said: "She left initially to go and get a flannel and a towel but, while she was away, she was distracted by a man who wanted his bed making.
"She also had a conversation with another member of staff about how a person had not turned up necessitating her staying on at work.
"She had another conversation with another member of staff. All told, she was away for 15 minutes and it was all work-related."
An earlier hearing at Beverley Magistrates court heard Gillan, of Newland Road, Goole, hoisted the woman into a bath on December 9, last year.
At that hearing, prosecutor Heather Levett said: "She was slumped in her bath chair. She was partially submerged, with water lapping into her mouth."
Gillan's solicitor Geoff Ellis said she admitted the prosecution's version of events.
He asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared about his client. Gillan was released on bail and will be sentenced next month.
Judge Bury told her: "By my granting you bail, do not assume a non-custodial sentence will be imposed.
"With that warning and understanding, you can leave the dock."
