A DISCIPLINARY hearing into the conduct of Suffolk nurse Judith Clark who is accused of mistreating patients was due to resume today.The night nurse is alleged to have dragged an old lady on an off the commode toilet more than 40 times and swore at another patient.

A DISCIPLINARY hearing into the conduct of Suffolk nurse Judith Clark who is accused of mistreating patients was due to resume today.

The night nurse is alleged to have dragged an old lady on an off the commode toilet more than 40 times and swore at another patient.

Judith Clark, 60, faces a series of complaints spanning 13 months while working at a Suffolk care home.

Clark is accused of either roughly handing or using harsh language to at least five patients.

She allegedly yanked a patient's clothes over her head and pushed a flannel into her hand bellowing at her to wash her face, the Nursing and Midwifery Council in central London was told yesterday.

Helen Kitchen, for the NMC, told the hearing, fellow night-shifters at the Wellington House Nursing Home in Stowmarket were alarmed at Clark's treatment of several residents.

And when they raised their concerns with bosses, an investigation was launched.

Clark, who worked at the home for five years, also warned another resident that she would call police if he did not behave and told him to "shut up".

The nurse admits swearing at the unnamed man, referred to as resident B, in front of a care assistant.

But she denies the rest of the charges levelled against her.

Miss Kitchen told the hearing that she was often rough while treating an old lady, referred to as resident A between December 2000 and April 2001.

Recalling three separate incidents, Miss Kitchen went on: "She pulled resident A out of bed and dragged her onto and off the commode 12 times.

"On approximately 20 occasions, she hauled resident A up by her arm, swung her around onto the commode and then threw her legs onto the bed when returning her.

"On approximately 10 occasions, she yanked resident A forward by her hand and threw her onto the commode."

She claimed Clark also manhandled resident B "by rolling him over in a rough manner when changing his sheet."

Miss Kitchen added that she also roughly pushed another woman, resident C, over on her bed and "spoke harshly" to another patient by saying: "Oh be quiet and let me do my job."

Clark, of Sparrows Nest Barn, Lower Road, Onehouse, Stowmarket, denies professional misconduct between March 16, 200 and April 6, 2001 at the 21-bed home.

The hearing continues.