A MALE nurse bent back the thumbs of a frail, elderly patient and drank alcohol while he was on duty, a disciplinary inquiry heard yesterday.

The hearing also heard that Donald Emery, 47, handled patients roughly, failed to implement a doctor's instructions to amend a patient's prescription and left medication in reach of patients.

He also failed to empty a patient's catheter bag and reduced a care assistant to tears after she allegedly made a mistake.

Mr Emery is accused of misconduct in relation to the allegations he faces, before the professional conduct committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Mr Emery, of Choppington, Northumberland, was a registered mental nurse at the Lindisfarne Nursing and Residential Home, in Kepier Chare, Crawcrook, Ryton, Tyne and Wear, between December 2000 and March 2001.

James Adeley, for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: "Emery was trying to get a patient out of the toilet. He got hold of the patient's thumbs and twisted them backwards and downwards, causing the patient to arch his back and cry out in pain."

He said that on one occasion another nurse spoke to Mr Emery and found there was a strong smell of alcohol.

Mr Emery faces a total of eight allegations in relation to four patients at the home.

The hearing continues today.