Richard is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with specialised training and skills in orthopaedic spinal surgery using microsurgical techniques. He applies his subspecialty training in carrying out cervical surgery, anterior (through the front of the neck) for discectomy and fusion, posterior (through the back of the neck) for decompression and stabilisation; lumbar spinal conditions, both acute and degenerative; and in treating long-term sequelae of spinal fractures.

After graduating from Otago Medical School, Richard trained for his specialised orthopaedic qualifications at Otago and Waikato Hospitals, taking his Fellowship examination in 2002. He then moved to Britain to take up his Spinal Fellowship at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, where he trained with internationally respected experts in spinal surgery, gaining a wide, varied experience of spinal surgery using advanced techniques.

Having completed his sub-specialty fellowship training at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham in 2004, Richard returned to New Zealand to continue his practice as a specialist in spinal orthopaedic surgery at Southern Cross Hospital, Grace Hospital and his private clinics in Hamilton, Ngatea, Matamata and Tauranga.
Richard treats patients suffering from restricting spinal conditions, severe or minor, with genuine care and expertise.

At their initial consultations, Richard takes time with his patients as they tell him about their condition, its effect on their health, activities and family life. He draws on his depth of experience, knowledge and skills to make comprehensive, accurate diagnoses and suggestions for the best treatment and management plan according to the injury and health of each person.

He feels deep satisfaction in relieving painful conditions to allow his patients to resume their favourite activities and former lifestyle with confidence, and freedom from back pain.

Richard is a member of the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association and Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He attends international conferences to keep abreast of recent developments in the understanding and treatment of acute spinal conditions, to renew long-term friendships and share ideas with his professional colleagues.

He enjoys passing on his complex knowledge of spinal conditions and operative techniques to doctors in training for their sub-specialty.