A MENTAL health nurse who bought a "vulnerable" patient music festival tickets and took her camping with his two sons has been struck off.
Paul De'Filippis met the woman after she was admitted to the Woodlands clinic in Nottingham to be treated for a heroin addition.
A Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing was told that after the patient had completed her detox and was discharged, in 2011, she struck up a relationship with the man.
But when she relapsed she refused to return to the specialist drug and alcohol inpatient unit in Highbury Hospital and said she had been in a relationship with a male nurse described as having two kids and enjoying camping.
The hearing heard that when the unit's team leader, Rodney Hudspith, called De'Filippis to question him, the nurse swore and hung up the phone.
De'Filippis was suspended and later dismissed from Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
In an interview the patient said: "Paul took me out of what I was facing."
Chairman of the panel, Sally Ruthen, said: "The panel noted the behaviour of Mr De'Filippis in relation to Service User A after her departure from the Woodlands – included emailing her, telephoning her, buying tickets to a music festival, socialising and encouraging her to drink alcohol, and going on holiday with her and his sons.
"The panel is satisfied that a registered mental health nurse with his experience would know that such behaviour was clearly inappropriate and unacceptable.
"'He knew she was a vulnerable individual, and the panel accepted the evidence that Service User A would have a heightened level of emotional and psychological vulnerability following her treatment.
"He compromised any future medical treatment she might need in so far as she might no longer feel happy going to The Woodlands for treatment if it was required."
Mr Hudspith described De'Filippis as "brilliant with the service users".
He explained that patients at the clinic were often engaged in a cycle of detox and relapse with drugs and alcohol.
"It is just not something you do – it is in the code, you do not have relationships with patients," he said.
De'Filippis, who was not present or represented at the hearing in London, admitted engaging in a personal relationship and failing to inform his employer.
Allegations that the relationship was inappropriate and that he was dishonest by failing to disclose it were found proved by the panel.
A single allegation that he was sexually motivated when the relationship began was found not proved, after the evidence showed the pair grew intimate after their friendship developed.
Ms Ruthen said: "The panel determined that a striking-off order was the only sanction that would be sufficient to protect the public in this case."
De'Filippis was struck-off the register and will not be able to reapply for five years.