Nurse struck off after hiding secret camera in hospital bathroom

A Sydney nurse has had his registration cancelled after admitting to a shocking act in a hospital bathroom.

A Sydney nurse who hid a camera inside a hospital bathroom for his own “sexual gratification” has been struck off from the profession for at least 12 months.

Sean Clemente was working at Macquarie University Hospital in Macquarie Park in 2022 when he installed a GoPro under the sink, facing the toilet in the unisex staff toilets.

He recorded footage in the toilets for four months, with videos found by police on the camera showing colleagues and staff members of the hospital undressing and using the toilet.

Mr Clemente was charged and made “full and frank” admissions to police that he did so for his own sexual gratification.

The incident occurred at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney’s north-west. Picture: iStock

This week, Mr Clemente faced the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal fighting to return to nursing.

Mr Clemente told the tribunal he wanted to apologise to his colleagues but had been unable to do so due to his bail conditions.

Instead, Mr Clemente wrote a letter to his colleagues which he submitted to the tribunal.

“First and foremost, I’m truly and sincerely sorry for what I have done, I will forever regret and resent myself for doing what I did,” he wrote in the letter.

“I am really really ashamed of everything and there’s no valid excuse for it. I also wanted to apologise for bringing our hospital’s name into it with me.

“I will do everything to make myself better and to improve myself to be a better man. I’m not expecting anyone to forgive me. I know it has been tough knowing about what I did.”

Mr Clemente worked at the hospital as a registered nurse. Picture: iStock

Mr Clemente told the tribunal he had “sincere remorse” for his actions, labelling them “immature, thoughtless and unacceptable” and said he “really wants” to return to nursing.

“I acknowledge that my actions have breached the trust of the people who are close to me, especially to my previous colleagues,” he said.

“I vow to never make such reckless decisions again in my life and continue to reflect on it every day. I implore you to recognise that this one and only bad decision does not reflect my character as an individual and as person.”

The Health Care Complaints Commission submitted their recommendation that Mr Clemente be struck off for a minimum two years.

However, the tribunal ruled Mr Clemente had demonstrated a “willingness to do whatever is required to enable him to return to practice” and reduced the amount to 12 months.

Following the year ban, he will be required to reapply for registration.

“Mr Clemente is clearly passionate about being a nurse,” the tribunal wrote in its decision.

“We think that a 2 year non-review period as proposed by the HCCC would go further than required for the protection of the community.”

Macquarie University Hospital has been contacted for comment.

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