A NURSE accused of failing to fully investigate an allegation of rape at a mental health unit has been vindicated by his governing body.

John Hales, a 65-year-old mental health nurse, was said to have failed a 19-year-old who claimed he was raped at the Doulton Lodge mental hospital near Sleaford.

But the Nursing And Midwifery Council found he had correctly handed over the investigation to nurse in charge Colin Carter, who had denied Hales had given him instruction to deal with the matter.

The man, known as patient A, claimed he had been sexually attacked by another male patient, in his mid 20s, who was known as patient B.

The incident was reported on March 7, 2008.

Hales was cleared of failing to conduct an adequate investigation, failing to inform mental healthcare commission and vulnerable adults contact, and of failing to make proper records.

It was found he had failed to take adequate steps in that he had not informed the police of the incident in good time, though it did accept he had made attempts to contact them.