A SEX-MAD nurse from Northfleet who groped his colleagues and made smutty remarks about patients has been struck off the register.

Psychiatric nurse Philip Dutfield, aged 48, admitted quizzing nurses about their sex lives and underwear and chatting about oral sex while he worked at Joyce Green Hospital between November 1998 and February 1999.

He was suspended by Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust on February 15, 1999 and sacked on June 10 after an internal disciplinary hearing.

Mr Dutfield, who failed to attend the UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting's professional conduct committee (UKCC) hearing, was found guilty of 28 of the 30 allegations he had admitted.

And he was struck off its register, which means he cannot call himself or work as a registered nurse anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Representing the UKCC, Helen Kitchen, said: "The focus of most of his smutty remarks was Mary Winter-Nolan.

"She very quickly became concerned about sexual innuendos used by Mr Dutfield when speaking to her.

The committee heard he would comment on her clothes, question her about her underwear and ask if she was wearing a G-string or silk underwear.

On one occasion, he suggested they went to the airing cupboard for a "quick shag".

He would also announce his ward arrival by blowing into her ear and on to the back of her neck. Another nurse, Lisa Purland, was told by Mr Dutfield he had an erotic dream about her.

She said; "I found him rather bold and very forward very sexual in his comments.

"Whenever he had the opportunity to twist the conversation he would.

And he ignored her pleas to stop touching her and massaging her. "I told him I didn't like it and would rather he left me alone," she added.

The committee heard one patient, in her 30s, enjoyed wearing short skirts and tight shorts and Mr Dutfield told staff she was "tarty and looking for it".

UKCC director of professional conduct Liz McAnulty said: "Mr Dutfield's offensive and sexist behavour was totally unacceptable and the committee's decison reflects this."

November 5, 2001 20:09