NHS bosses have condemned the 'completely unacceptable behaviour' of two members of staff after after a video emerged appearing to show them manhandling an elderly patient.
The mobile phone video shows the seemingly distressed pensioner being roughly laid down in bed as cries out in apparent pain.
It was taken earlier this month at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.
The Manchester Evening News has chosen not to publish the footage. It has been widely shared on social media.
In the video, the man is heard saying: "Can someone please, please?"
He then cries out and asks: "You think that's clever?"
A member of staff replies: "No, I don't think it's clever, but you carrying on like this isn't clever either."
A man also being treated at the hospital took the footage.
In a statement, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill, described the nurses' conduct as 'completely unacceptable' and said the patient 'did not receive the compassionate care and consideration he had the right to expect'.
The statement read: "The behaviour captured on the footage is completely unacceptable, and as soon as we were made aware we took swift action.
"The patient did not receive the compassionate care and consideration he had the right to expect, and which the vast majority of our staff give on a daily basis.
"Our director of nursing and senior staff have met with him and members of his family this morning and have sincerely apologised for the distress that this has caused.
"We will keep them fully informed and involved in our investigation
"We would urge anyone who has any concerns about the care or treatment of a patient to contact us immediately."
The Manchester Evening News has attempted to contact the patient's family.
