A NURSE accused of a series of bungles including being unable to check patients’ pulses has been allowed to continue working while his case was adjourned.

Former Basildon Hospital nurse Shoy Kuriakose, 42, is accused of 24 counts of incompetence by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and could be kicked out of the profession if the allegations are proved.

A disciplinary panel has been adjourned a second time, for a risk assesment on the nurse, meaning he is free to continue practicing, but only at one care home, and under a number of conditions it resumes.

Mr Kuriakose worked at Basildon between 2006 and April 2009 when he was sacked and was allegedly unable to carry out the “simplest tasks” despite having ten years in the profession.

Former manager at the hospital, Joanne Henry, said sometimes other nurses had to apologise about him to patients and family members.

Charges include exposing a patient by pulling open a curtain while they were using a commode and leaving another lying in a urine-soaked bed.

Mr Kuriakose, formerly of Waldegrave, Basildon, is accused of a string of paperwork blunders, including not filling out patient care plans, and not properly observing patients.

He is accused of completing a discharge assessment of needs form for the wrong patient on October 8 2008 and on November 9 the same year putting a sling on a patient incorrectly.

Since leaving Basildon Hospital Mr Kuriakose set up two companies Finecare 24H Ltd and Shoy International, but now works one night shift a week at Ardenlea Court Nursing Home in Solihul, where the hearing heard there had been no incidents.

An NMC interim report on the case said: “In the panel’s judgment these failings were serious and could, if repeated, cause serious patient harm. The panel therefore has come to the conclusion that it is necessary to impose an interim order.

Mr Kuriakose must only work at Ardenlea Court until the outcome and must inform the NMC of any new allegations and his employers or any training centres of the interim order.