A MENTAL health nurse hit a patient in the face after they got into a row about a cigarette lighter, a tribunal heard.

Carl Larbi left the man with red marks across his nose and cheek after the confrontation at Littlemore Hospital, Sandford Road, Oxford, it is claimed.

The hearing was told that Larbi, who was working with patients with a history of involvement with the police or justice system, did not document the incident.

An investigation was launched after a colleague noticed the man’s injuries during a drug round later that day, July 30, 2013.

Footage from CCTV of the incident – which lasted about a minute and a half – was shown to a London Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel yesterday behind closed doors.

Kokoly Pande, for the NMC, said: “When questioned, Mr Larbi was very aware that there had been such an incident but said he didn’t disclose it because he knew there were a lot of implications.”

Larbi had worked at the hospital since 2003 and was based on Wenrick Ward, a low-security mental health unit.

Panel members were told he was accompanying the man outside for a cigarette break when the patient lost his temper and hit him.

Larbi, who was present and represented at the hearing, admits having a violent struggle with the man but denies that he hit him in retaliation.

He also admits failing to document the incident in the patient’s notes but denies his fitness to practice is currently impaired.

If his actions are found to amount to misconduct, Larbi could face a ban or being struck of the medical register.

  • The hearing continues.

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