A CARE home nurse slapped an elderly patient and told a colleague:

"You never ******* saw that."

That is the key allegation against Kathleen Walker who is also said to have told a colleague: "That was not really a slap" or words to that effect, during the incident at Applecross Nursing Home.

The staff nurse is facing five charges of misconduct at the family-run care home in Glasgow Road, Barrhead, East Renfrew-shire. The alleged assault is said to have happened during the night shift of November 1, 2012.

The care home notified the Care Inspectorate, social services and the police and launched its own investigation.

Ms Walker, who was later sacked by the home, is also alleged to have failed to call an ambulance after a patient was found lying on the floor with a facial injury.

The charge states, she failed to contact NHS 24 or refer the patient to hospital, failed to carry out any observational checks and failed to record the incident.

On June 24, 2013, on hearing a patient becoming distressed, she is also alleged to have said: "Oh no [patient's name] don't start this again," or words to that effect.

In a separate charge, on or around June 2013, she is said to have spoken to a patient in an agitated manner when the patient pressed the bed alarm for assistance.

The staff nurse, who has not been suspended, is due to appear before the Nursing and ­Midwifery Council from August 11-14.

The home is owned by Applecross Nursing Home Ltd and cares for up to 68 residents, mainly elderly, with referrals from Glasgow City Council.

A council spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate to comment ahead of any hearing. Personnel issues at the home are a matter for the operator to discuss."

In a separate case, a nurse is facing charges he drove a car while more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Breath tests showed Paul Naijil had 118 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath, vastly exceeding the limit of 35 microgrammes.

The incident is said to have happened on Carmunock Road on April 2, 2012.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk