Patient in outburst 'covered in trifle'

The nurse at the Village Nursing Home, Murton, County Durham, Michael Dennis Whitehead, appeared before the professional conduct hearing of the UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) in London.

He denied two allegations of misconduct in that he threw a bowl of trifle at resident A, and another of inappropriately restraining resident A. Mr Whitehead worked at the 41-bed home between 1997 and 1999.

David Glendinning, solicitor to the UKCC, said resident A was "known to have violent outbursts".

Care assistant Susan Todner took the trifle to resident A and found the patient and Mr Whitehead arguing.

Mr Glendinning said: "Resident A throw a cup of tea over Michael, and then the nurse picked the trifle up and it went all down resident A's face.

"He was really angry and Michael got a hold of his wrist and got his arm up his back," said Miss Todner.

The hearing was told that resident A, a 68-year-old man described as a "loner", was admitted after allegedly pulling a knife on his daughter.

Giving evidence, Mr Whitehead, of Seaham, County Durham, said resident A attempted to throw both the tea and trifle at him. He then stepped in to restrain him.

He denied the allegations of misconduct. After considering the facts, the committee found that only the second allegation was found proved.

The committee decided to reprimand Mr Whitehead and take no further action.