Nurse accused of hitting disabled dementia sufferer

Published on Monday 11 February 2008 21:37

A SENIOR nurse lashed out at a disabled patient suffering dementia, a nursing tribunal heard yesterday. Staff Nurse Diane Whitton, 42, is alleged to have struck the elderly male resident in the chest in retaliation after he grabbed at her.

The nurse was helping the resident, known as Mr A, to dress on the morning of 26 October, 2005, when the incident is said to have taken place at the Ashley Court Nursing Home in Edinburgh. The home cares for disabled and elderly residents, as well as dementia sufferers.

The patient, in his late sixties, was described as having no movement from the waist down and no feeling in his right side. He also suffers from dementia, which often leaves him in a confused state, and he is registered blind.

Nurse Whitton – who, if found guilty, could face being permanently struck from the nursing register – is citing as reasons for her behaviour staff shortages, a lack of training and that she was only restraining the resident.

Fiona Howe, a carer, was assisting Nurse Whitton to wash and dress Mr A during the alleged incident.

She said: "As we were getting him dressed, he lashed out with his left hand and was also verbally aggressive. After he lashed out, Diane hit him back. I was shocked. She used her right hand and gave him a backhand to the chest area."

The tribunal, in front of the conduct and competence committee, continues.