A NURSE has been struck off for professional misconduct after an inquiry heard how she grabbed the hand of a severely handicapped patient and used it to whack another patient in the face.

Sheila Ellwood, 50, was found guilty of slapping a male patient's face and hand and pushing him to the floor where she put her foot on his upper body.

The UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting also found her guilty of taking a woman patient's hand and using it to slap him in the face - causing a red mark.

Support worker Iris Ball was so shocked by what happened at the Hollybush Villas home in Gateshead that she reported Mrs Ellwood the next day.

Mrs Ellwood was suspended pending an inquiry. She resigned before an internal disciplinary hearing could be arranged by the Northgate and Prudhoe NHS Board.

The Central London inquiry heard that both patients had profound learning disabilities.

Mrs Ellwood, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, was found guilty in her absence of professional misconduct in September 1999.

Valerie Morrison, chairwoman, said Mrs Ellwood had clearly abused the trust placed in her to look after patients properly.

The committee decided that Mrs Ellwood's name should be removed from the register with immediate effect "in the interest of public protection".

Mrs Ellwood has three months to appeal.