A NURSE has been suspended after trying to give healthy patients laxatives and referring to dementia sufferers as ‘crazy’.

Jay Linus Fuentes, worked at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust between November 2017 and November 2018 and racked up 20 allegations against him.

At a lack of competence and misconduct hearing before the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) earlier this month, it was alleged the registered adult nurse made a catalogue of errors including, inappropriately giggling in front of patients and their families and repeatedly trying to insert a catheter he should have replaced once he was unsuccessful.

During the incident he failed to engage or speak with the patient.

Mr Fuentes also prepared to administer a laxative when nursing records indicated the patient was healthy and did not need the treatment.

The NMC report said on a number of supervised shifts his overall provision of care fell significantly below the expected standard of a nurse.

On one occasion he referred to patients with dementia as

'crazy' and failed to treat the patients with care, dignity, respect and empathy.

Between April 2018 and August 2018 concerns were raised by colleagues that he was struggling to perform the most basic of nursing skills.

Wide ranging concerns were raised about his clinical care, communication skills, treatment of patients regarding empathy and dignity, organisation and time management.

The report states: “It was noted that you would make the same mistakes repeatedly, despite receiving extensive support and guidance. Additional concerns were raised about your professional conduct and mannerisms. Specifically that you would giggle frequently in front of patients, smile inappropriately, hold a piece of paper in front of your face to hide the fact that you were giggling.

"On a number of supervised shifts your overall provision of care fell significantly below the expected standard of a nurse. On one occasion you referred to patients with dementia as

“crazy”.

During the hearing, Mr Fuentes said that when he began working at the trust, as a result of the difference in culture, he was unable to cope.

He believed that was the main reason for his failings.

The nurse also said when he first came to the UK he was not confident speaking to people and was afraid to ask for help.

He said he bottled up his emotions which contributed to his poor performance.

The NMC hearing concluded that he had breached the nursing code of conduct and he was given a suspension order for three months.

Following the order, Mr Fuentes has since started working at Askham Village Community between Peterborough and Cambridge and described it as a new beginning.