Banned nurse's bid to return fails

Nurses are a vital part of residential care

A Nottingham nurse who was struck off for assaulting two vulnerable residents has failed in a bid to be allowed to return to nursing.

Jacqueline Smith was banned after striking the pensioners at the Peasehill Residential Unit in Nottingham.

At a two-day hearing in February 2000 Mrs Smith was found guilty of seven counts of misconduct dating back to 1997.

In one incident when an elderly woman refused to take her medication, Mrs Smith is said to have slapped her across the face.

'Lacking stability'

In another, she is said to have punched and pushed a man with mobility problems.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing was also told Mrs Smith also used abusive language to the care-home residents.

The council's restoration committee has now rejected her application to be returned to the nursing register.

It said Mrs Smith had not yet proved she had achieved the "sustained stability" needed by a nurse.