Dementia nurse accused of bullying patients

A male nurse bullied and physically abused dementia patients for years, a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel was told this week.

It is alleged that Howard Griffiths, 55, swore at, pushed and even spat at vulnerable patients at a nursing home in Abergavenny, South Wales.

Freepresseries.co.uk reports that the panel was told that junior colleagues were also threatened with the sack if they dared to question his methods or report him to the relevant authorities.

During the three-day hearing, five care workers gave evidence against Mr Griffiths, who chose not to attend.

The panel is currently investigating nine allegations of abuse by Mr Griffiths which occurred between early 2007 and the summer of 2009.

Mr Griffith, who has more than 30 years' experience as a psychiatric nurse, is alleged to have called one dementia patient a"slut", spat in the face of another and physically abused a number of others.

It was also alleged that he purposely made some patients go without food and drink.

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes