News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A nurse refused to help a patient found lying bleeding on the floor because she was on her break, a tribunal heard.

Minimol Chacko, who worked at Wheatfield Court Care Home, Newcastle, was reported by an ambulance crew, the Nursing and Midwifery Council was told.

Henry Vallance, on behalf of the NMC, told the hearing: ‘During the course of that break another nurse found Patient A lying on the floor of her room, bleeding from her head.

‘It is alleged that the registrant initially refused to assist the nurse with the care because she was on her break.’

After being persuaded to help, Chacko went back on her break before the arrival of the ambulance staff.

Mr Vallance told the hearing that the ambulance crew who arrived to help the patient reported Chacko’s actions as a result of their questions about the patient going unanswered.

(Image: PA)

‘Whilst waiting for the ambulance crew the registrant should have conducted neurological tests.

‘Because the registrant had gone back on her break those questions went largely unanswered.

‘It was inappropriate for the registrant to have gone back on her break.’

Chacko also did not alert a GP to a rash around the site of a patient’s stomach tube, it is claimed

She also failed to provide proper care to a patient who had bed sores, the tribunal was told.

Chacko, who is present at the hearing, denies all the charges.

The hearing continues.