Hemant Kumar Sharma

Townsville Bulletin (Australia)
Local psychiatrist hit with 3-year suspension
March 17, 2023
By Cameron Bates

— Excerpt

A TOWNSVILLE psychiatrist banned from treating women has now been suspended from practising in Queensland for the next three years.

The Office of the Health Ombudsman confirmed that the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) had officially reprimanded Dr Hemant Kumar Sharma on February 28, 2023.

“QCAT also suspended Dr Sharma’s registration for three years,” a spokesman said in a statement to the Townsville Bulletin.

“The suspension takes effect from 30 April 2023.” Healthlink Family Medical Centre in Cranbrook confirmed that Dr Sharma was leasing a room at the facility as an “independent psychiatrist” but was not an employee.

“Dr Sharma advises that he will be ceasing practice from 30 April 2023,” Healthlink Director Kevin Gillespie said on Wednesday morning…

“The practitioner must not have contact with female patients.” Points three and four also relate to the treatment of women. “The practitioner must take all reasonable steps to ensure appointments are not scheduled for female patients,” the fourth condition reads.

According to an online profile, Dr Sharma was trained in India and practised in New Zealand and Brisbane before moving to Townsville in 2009…