A MALE nurse at Chase Farm Hospital has been accused of sexually molesting mental health patients.

Ramkaranlall Bhatoolall has been charged by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of inappropriate behaviour towards four patients while working on Dorset ward between April and June 2008.

He is accused of putting his arm round one woman and putting his hand up her top, and in another alleged incident he is accused of running his hand over the leg of a female patient.

Mr Bhatoolall is further charged with hugging another patient and molesting her, and is also accused of making improper suggestions to a fourth woman.

He is due to face a misconduct hearing in front of a panel at the council on Monday, January 9.

The charge sheet also accuses him of talking to one of the daughters of an alleged victim, in breach of an order from his manager, and of threatening not to sign a student nurse's assessment sheet if she gave a statement in his case.

If found guilty of misconduct, Mr Bhatoolall could be barred from working as a nurse.