SUFFOLK nurse Samantha Knight is due to appeal before a disciplinary panel accused of force feeding patients, The Evening Star can reveal today.The news comes on the day the hearing resumes into alleged abused by another Suffolk nurse Judith Clark, of Onehouse, near Stowmarket, an allegation she denies.

SUFFOLK nurse Samantha Knight is due to appeal before a disciplinary panel accused of force feeding patients, The Evening Star can reveal today.

The news comes on the day the hearing resumes into alleged abused by another Suffolk nurse Judith Clark, of Onehouse, near Stowmarket, an allegation she denies.

Ms Knight, 37, is due to appear before the Professional Conduct Committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Council to answer to a total of 11 different charges clocked up at two separate county hospitals.

Among charges of physical abuse, poor clinical practice and poor attitude and communication skills it has been alleged that Ms Knight force fed patients. She is also accused of failing to ensure they received proper medication and inappropriately carried out procedures while working at the Patrick Stead hospital in Halesworth.

Eight charges were made against her over a period between August 1999 and January 2001.

A month later, while working at the Beccles and District War Memorial Hospital, another three charges were brought against her including failing to promote and safeguard the interest and well being of patients and failing to appropriately record medication administration.

Ms Knight of Pixey Green, Wingfield, near Diss, is due to face the Professional Conduct Committee at the Nursing and Midwifery Council headquarters in Portland Place, London on Monday

At Clark's hearing, which began yesterday, the nurse was accused off roughly handling patients and shouting aggressively at them while working at Wellington House Nursing Home in Finborough Road, Stowmarket.

Clark, 60, of Lower Road, Onehouse, denied the claims which also include talking inappropriately about residents to fellow members of staff at the home.

It is also claimed that she also swore at one patient.

During the years 2000-2001 the Nursing and Midwifery Council received 1240 complaints from across the UK, but mainly from England.

The Professional Conduct Committee sat on 201 days and considered 187 cases of alleged misconduct compared to 135 the year before, with the largest category of offence being the physical or verbal abuse of patients.

If found charges are proven it can result in removal from the register, a caution or no further action.