Mid Staffs worker suspended over patient assault claim

Nurses at the scandal-hit hospital raised the alarm and reported the member of staff who it is claimed “roughly handled a patient whilst undertaking a procedure”.

The worker was suspended and an investigation has been launched by the hospital which has also informed Staffordshire Police and the local safeguarding board.

A report to a joint health scrutiny meeting at Staffordshire County Council said: “These concerns were escalated to a senior member of staff, who made the decision to suspend the member of staff concerned whilst the matter was investigated.

“The patient’s family have been made aware of the allegations and will be kept informed of events.”

In a statement medical director Robert Courteney-Harris said: “We are currently investigating this alleged incident and cannot comment until the investigation is completed and the report shared with the patient and the family.”

The incident will be discussed at Staffordshire County Council’s health scrutiny board on Thursday 27 September.