A British psychiatrist has withdrawn his application for a crucial mental health role at Cairns Hospital, Queensland's health minister has confirmed.
News Corp Australia reported that Richard Wayne Seamark was in the running for the $400,000 role of clinical director of mental health, despite his work history revealing he was banned as a company director for seven years in the UK.
Dr Seamark's time running a health service in the UK had led to multiple complaints including an allegation of "locking one patient in their room for several weeks", the Courier Mail said.
It's reported Dr Seamark arrived in Queensland in March after his company went into voluntary liquidation.
Health Minister Steven Miles says Dr Seamark's application was suspended following the revelations and he has since withdrawn his candidacy.
"I have spoken to the (Queensland Health) chair and CEO today and can confirm that that candidate is no longer being considered for that position," Dr Miles said.
Responding to criticism that Dr Seamark's history was easily accessible and had not been checked, Dr Miles defended the selection process.
"I'll leave the health service to respond to the detail of what's happened here but it's my understanding that at the point he commenced the recruitment process those insolvency proceedings hadn't come to fruition," he said.
"When that did he disclosed that, that's the point at which the process was suspended."
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