Disgraced British doc Richard Seamark lands top Aussie job – despite his company locking a patient in a room for WEEKS

EXCLUSIVE

A British doctor who locked a patient inside their hospital room for several weeks and was banned from running a company in the UK has landed a top job in northern NSW.

Dr Richard Seamark’s ‘appalling’ history was made public in 2017 after he was a frontrunner for a $400,000 senior position as Clinical Director of Mental Health at Cairns Hospital in Far North Queensland.

However, the discredited psychiatrist, 64, was swiftly dumped from the recruitment process when it emerged that he was banned as a company director in the UK. 

The ban followed his UK company Care+ Ltd failing to report serious incidents and used expired medical equipment.

Multiple complaints were made about the quality of care provided while he ran the firm, including medicine errors and locking one patient in their room for several weeks.

He was branded a ‘dodgy psychiatrist by the UK government’s Insolvency Service after he was banned for jeopardising patient safety and described his behaviour as ‘appalling’.

Robert Clarke, Head of Insolvent Investigations North, added at the time: ‘The failure by Dr Seamark to adequately safeguard patients’ wellbeing and safety presented a significant risk to vulnerable patients, staff and the public.

‘His disqualification sends a clear message that such appalling behaviour will not be tolerated in the context of the wider corporate regime.’

Despite the damning report, Seamark has now secured a position as the Clinical Director of the Richmond Clarence Mental Health Service in Lismore.

His position is part of Northern NSW local health district in Lismore

In a video posted by Northern NSW Local Health District 12 months ago, he sang the praises of his new hometown and the team at his new workplace.

‘It’s a beautiful place to work,’ he said. 

‘Just physically, the weather is extraordinary and offers you a huge range of different opportunities lifestyle-wise.

‘Within the scope of work we just have a really great bunch of people to work with and you’ll enjoy just the day to day experience.’

In its report on his defunct company, the government agency revealed one patient had been locked inside their hospital room for several weeks. It described the incident as a ‘breach of the patient’s human rights’.

The hospital also failed to report serious incidents such as medicine errors, and kept defibrillator pads that had expired over seven years earlier. 

The damning investigation found one of the hospitals was ‘inadequate in every area inspected’ and published a scathing review of Dr Seamark’s leadership.

Seamark was rejected from the position at Cairns Hospital in 2017 after recruiters  were told details of his UK company’s insolvency.

‘Insolvency proceedings hadn’t come to fruition,’ Health Minister Steven Miles – now Queensland Premier – said at the time.

‘When they did, he disclosed that and that’s the point at which the process was suspended. Let’s not get too caught up in what’s happened.’

It is understood Seamark moved to Queensland in 2015 after he was disqualified from being director of his UK company which then went into voluntary liquidation.

Prior to applying for the role in in Cairns, he had been practising at Sunshine Coast Hospital for 18 months despite an 18 month UK ban for ‘jeopardising patient safety’

NSW Health insisted they had followed standard practice when recruiting Seamark for his latest role in Lismore. 

‘Recruitment to vacant positions within Northern NSW Local Health District is undertaken in accordance with NSW Health policies,’ said a spokesman.

‘This includes mandated pre-employment screening and, for clinical roles, confirmation of registration with the relevant agency or medical board.’