We aim to achieve our mission by drawing on the skills and commitment of our specialists:
Medical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist (Responsible Medical Officer)
Dr. Richard Seamark, BMedSci, MBBS, FRANZCP.
Dr. Seamark is is a distinguished medical practitioner with expert knowledge in the field of acquired brain injury. Providing a specialist care facility for ABI clients is his vision, and he leads the team to realise this vision. Richard is the Principle Partner in CarePlus Ltd and founded the company in 2006. Richard has nearly two decades experience in the medical field and has practiced in Australia as well as the UK. Richard wrote his thesis on the subject of psychosis post brain injury and also has practical experience in community and hospital based psychiatry and the development of large public heath systems.
Your multidisciplinary team comprises:
Psychology Lead
Dr Jason Spendelow PhD
Our Head of Psychology is Dr Jason Spendelow. Jason is an HPC-registered Clinical Health Psychologist with several years experience in the assessment and treatment of people affected by a wide range of psychiatric and psychological issues. Furthermore, he has experience in neuropsychological assessment and therapeutic/behavioural intervention with people presenting with acquired head injury and neurocognitive impairment secondary to developmental disabilities (e.g., intellectual disability, foetal alcohol spectrum disorders). His background in therapeutic intervention includes a number of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Committment Therapy (ACT), Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Jason also offer s strong research skills. He holds a PhD, and is published in several international peer-review academic journals. He has presented research at high-profile conferences, and continues to develop his research skills.
Senior Social Worker
Barbara Minto CQSW, Dip. Social Studies, PGC Counselling, PDip Counselling.
Barbara is a Senior Manager at CarePlus Partnership and plays an integral part of the team, providing counselling and support to the clients, as well as families and carers.
Services Manager
Andrea Walker-Andrews DipHE Nursing, RGN, RMA
Qualified as a Registered General Nurse from the Brunel University in 1995. Andrea worked as a Staff Nurse in elderly care for 3 years, followed by 12 years management at the Blackheath Brain Injury Unit working with patients with complex neurodisability and traumatic brain injury as Senior Nurse Manager, Clinical Services Manager and Registered Manager. She joined CarePlus Partnership in Aug 2010 as Services Manager. Having completed the Registered Manager's Award (NVQ4 in management) she has become a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Psychology Assistants
Sandra Mathews, BSc. Psychology
Marta Chromekova MSc Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience
Sandra and Marta complete various types of assessments that will help us to ensure that you receive the most suitable treatment during your stay. The assessments that you complete will empower you to achieve the goals that you set. You may be asked whether you would like to complete a neuropsychological assessment. This type of assessment uses various puzzles and tests to help you to understand how your brain injury has affected different types of thinking skills such as memory and problems solving ability. Once we have completed these assessment, your rehabilitation program will be individually tailored to address your goals.
Occupational Therapist
Mandy Richmond, BSc. Occupational Therapy
Mandy is a very experienced Neuro-Occupational Therapist who provides the team with support and advice.
Activities Co-ordinator
Shelly Minto
Shelly is at Harcourt House two days a week. During the day Shelly’s infectious enthusiasm for exercise may encourage the attendance at one of her sessions at the local gym. Shelly is great at finding new and stimulating activities to try for patients at Harcourt House. In the evenings, Shelly runs a quiz night and a movie night.
Nutritionist and Trainee Health Psychologist
Naomi Beinart, BSc. Psychology, BSc. Nutritional Medicine
Naomi is an experienced Nutritionist with a passion for psychology. Naomi is studying a PhD. in Health Psychology.
Highly qualified nurses
At Harcourt House we have identified a number of highly qualified nurses and experienced carers – led by RMN – including a high percentage trained in the area of Acquired Brain Injury.
We are committed to continuous investment in skills development through:
- rigorous induction to ensure consistency of service standards;
- ongoing specialist training; and
- periodic and constructive staff appraisal and development plans.
We empower nurses by involving them in decisions around service-user care and encouraging close working relationships between nurses and the multidisciplinary team. We believe this is central to achieving a positive working environment, in which employees want to stay.
There is a high staff-to-client ratio (averaging 3:1) at Harcourt House, which benefits both the team and residents.