Harry’s heroic efforts
A TOWNSVILLE paediatric surgeon is lobbying Queensland Health to establish a children’s health hub in the city so sick kids don’t have to travel to Brisbane for life- saving treatment.
Dr Harry Stalewski is vying to be named Queensland Australian of the Year in Brisbane tonight, with the children’s doctor revealing he is in the early stages of his dream becoming a reality.
“It’s especially important for young oncology patients where if they have to go to Brisbane they’re not going for a day or two, it’s one or two months so it’s disrupting the family for long periods,” Dr Stalewski said.
The surgeon is leading a planning group to look at the logistics of setting it up in Townsville before they work with Queensland Health to make it a reality.
“North Queensland is a long way from Brisbane and with the increased population it would be sensible,” he said.
When Dr Stalewski arrived in Townsville from the UK in 1987, he became solely responsible for all paediatric surgery north of Brisbane.
He was on call 365 days a year for 25 years and has saved and supported countless North Queensland kids.
One of those kids is Kirwan State High student Corey Rouse, 15, who has known Dr Stalewski since he was just three years old.
Mum Raegan went to Dr Stalewski when Corey developed a rare tumour, and she says without him, her son wouldn’t be the outgoing teen he is now.
“Dr Stalewski also saved Corey’s life when he got pneumonia at 10,” she said.
“He never gave up in try- ing treatments for Corey’s tumour. He went to medical conferences and consulted other specialists, he did about five operations and got a cancer treatment in from Japan.”
The Kirwan mum has spent a lot of time in Lady Cilento Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, and says a children’s hospital here would be “very welcome”.
“We need more people like Dr Stalewski pushing for these things to the regions.”
The Queensland Australian of the Year will be announced from 6.30 tonight.