A MENTAL health nurse accused of the "rough treatment" of a patient has left the country and will not participate in any disciplinary hearing, the panel was told.

Reginald Butler, 55, is alleged to have manhandled and sworn at a vulnerable patient while working at Queen Park Hospital, which is now known as the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

But a conduct and competence committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Council halted proceedings yesterday (fri) as there were 'concerns' Butler had not been made aware of the hearing.

Katherine Bovey, for the NMC, said: "On 19 April this year, Mr Butler called the NMC to say that he moving abroad and would not participate in the NMC proceedings any more.

"He then wrote a letter confirming what he said on the phone without giving a forwarding address."

Butler had been allowed to continue working as a nurse following his appearance at an interim order meeting in March.

But since then he has refused to take part in any proceedings.

It is not known where he currently lives as the last known address was in Darwen.

But the hearing was adjourned until the NMC can prove that a notice of the hearing has been sent to Butler.

Chair of the panel Jillian Alderwick said: "A proper notice of hearing was not sent to the respondent.

"And this is a fundamental breach of the rules.

"The hearing must be postponed until proper notice is served."