A Manchester-based care nurse has been permanently barred from the profession after a disturbing disciplinary hearing revealed she slapped a vulnerable elderly resident and sank her teeth into a colleague's finger during a separate confrontation.
The shocking incidents occurred at a care facility in Greater Manchester, where Juliet Lardizabal was employed as a registered nurse. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) conducted a thorough investigation before making the decision to strike her off.
Violent Outburst Against Vulnerable Resident
The first incident saw Lardizabal lose control with an elderly resident in her care. According to testimony presented at the hearing, the nurse became frustrated and responded by slapping the vulnerable individual across the face.
This act of physical aggression toward someone who depended on her for care and protection represented a fundamental breach of nursing ethics and professional standards.
Bizarre Attack on Colleague
In a separate but equally concerning episode, Lardizabal turned her aggression toward a fellow healthcare worker. When a colleague attempted to intervene in a situation, the nurse reacted by biting the individual's finger with significant force.
The unprovoked attack left the colleague injured and traumatised, creating what the NMC described as a "dangerous and hostile" working environment.
Regulatory Response
The Nursing and Midwifery Council's conduct and competence committee heard detailed evidence about both incidents before reaching their verdict. Panel chair Andrew Webster delivered the ruling, stating that Lardizabal's actions represented a fundamental breach of the nursing code.
"The panel concluded that public confidence in the nursing profession would be undermined if a finding of impairment was not made," Webster stated in the written decision.
The ruling means Lardizabal can no longer practice as a nurse in the UK, protecting both vulnerable care home residents and healthcare colleagues from future harm.
