Linda McDonald, a staff nurse at Ayr Hospital, taunted a colleague by asking "is everyone you know dying?" soon after two relatives died.

Mrs McDonald also told a colleague she had to repay £3000 from her wages, leaving the nursing auxiliary in tears.

A Nursing and Midwifery Council panel in London found eight charges of misconduct proved. Ms McDonald was not present at the hearing.

Announcing its decision, the panel said: "These basic errors, and in one instance the withholding of clinical care, put patients at risk of harm. There is also an element of bullying, in that Mrs McDonald did not treat colleagues with the respect they deserved."