A MENTAL health nurse has been suspended for his “inappropriate” relationship with a vulnerable patient.

Richard Hurworth took the patient, being cared for by the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, on a series of evenings out and trips around Colchester.

Despite her reporting how uncomfortable he was making her and despite being repeatedly warned about his conducthe continued to contact her .

He was suspended for a year by the Nursing and Midwifery Council earlier this month.

During 2012 he took her to a comedy club, pub, Colchester Zoo, Highwoods Country Park and on other trips outside of work, often accompanied by her mother.

She told the trust she was uncomfortable with the relationship and he was redeployed and told to break off contact.

He called her again and was suspended before being given a final written warning.

In March 2013 he again made contact again and was dismissed by the trust with the matter referred to the council.

He was charged with four counts of misconduct including “engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a service user”, not documenting the trips and contacting her when explicity instructed not to.

Mr Hurworth worked at the trust for 20 years as a community psychiatric nurse and had been working with the patient for two-and-a-half years.

He admitted the allegations and decided not to appear at the hearing.

The final report stated: “There are no allegations Mr Hurworth’s conduct was sexually motivated.

“Nevertheless, the panel considered Mr Hurworth did not maintain clear professional boundaries.

“By not documenting his contact outside working hours and by not disclosing to his manager he had done so Mr Hurworth’s actions were clearly wrong and amounted to misconduct.

“Mr Hurworth was an experienced nurse and said he thought he was acting in the service user’s best interest.

“The panel concluded he was mistaken in this regard.”

The panel conculded his actions caused the patient “distress and anxiety”

He has since retired.

A spokesman for the trust confirmed Mr Hurworth had been suspended and no longer works for them.