A NURSING manager who is alleged to have behaved in an abusive and threatening way towards his staff yesterday faced a series of misconduct charges at a disciplinary hearing.

Allan Leslie Harling, 56, who appeared before a professional conduct committee of the Nursing Midwifery Council, denied 12 counts of misconduct at Benfield Nursing Home in Blackhill, Consett.

David Glendinning, representing the council, told the hearing in Gateshead: "Because Mr Harling was a nursing manager and manager of the home, that left staff in an almost impossible situation of not knowing where to go to make a complaint."

Margaret Hefferon, who later became deputy nursing manager at Benfield, said of her time working for Mr Harling: "I felt undervalued, deskilled and intimidated toward the end."

She said she had once she contacted Mr Harling after maternity leave to say she could not return to work because she was ill. In reply, he used an expletive and said it would cause him staffing problems for the month, the hearing was told.

Ms Hefferon said: "I felt terribly upset and had to call a colleague to come and support me."

Mrs Hefferon said she had asked Mr Harling to arrange for training to be provided for staff to deal with violent patients but, despite assurances, it never materialised.

Care assistant Tracey Metcalfe said when she approached Mr Harling about changing shifts he had been threatening and abusive towards her. She claims he pointed a finger at her in such a way she had to step back to avoid being poked in the eye.

Ms Metcalfe also alleges that he had struck her in the stomach with a ring binder.

Care assistant Michelle Willis said when she had discovered she was down to work throughout the Christmas period, she contacted Mr Harling to see whether the arrangements could be changed, so she could spend time with her family. But he refused and said: "It's not my fault you have kids."

Mr Harling is also alleged to have failed to follow a resident's care plan and allowed unqualified care staff to give medication to patients.

The hearing continues.