Tributes flow for Macarthur paediatrician Rick Dunstan

A giant of the medical fraternity in Macarthur is being remembered as a kind man and a great doctor who cared about ‘every kid he ever saw’.

The community is in mourning after a stalwart of the Macarthur medical fraternity died after a long battle with illness.

Richard Dunstan, known fondly as Rick, worked as a paediatrician in the Macarthur region for more than three decades.

Close friend and colleague of 35 years, Macarthur federal Labor MP Mike Freelander, said Dr Dunstan’s death on Tuesday after a long battle with illness meant the community had lost someone who would be very hard to replace.

“Rick cared about every kid he ever saw,” Dr Freelander said.

“I think he was able to communicate that to the families and they loved him for it.

“He went above and beyond for all those families. He wasn’t worried about making money, he wasn’t worried about talking about himself.”

The two doctors met about 35 years ago when Dr Dunstan joined as a visiting medical officer in the region.

“Rick and I worked together as paediatricians and we never had an argument or a disagreement about patient management,” Dr Freelander said.

He said he never saw Dr Dunstan cross or upset at anything, adding that he always strove to give families confidence and put the children at ease.

“He made the kids feel special,” he said.

“We had patients in common and we used to look after each other’s patients during holidays and no one ever had a bad word to say about him.

“He felt that he had a duty of care to the kids and that was his job in life.”

Dr Dunstan specialised in working in rehabilitation with paediatric patients, and treated many children with severe and complex disabilities.

He helped to set up a paediatric ambulatory care unit, came up with the idea of the Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation and trained multiple other medical professionals.

Dr Freelander said his dear friend’s legacy would live on in many ways thanks to the significant contributions he made to the region.

“I was very proud to have him as a friend and a colleague,” he said.

“His legacy will live on in all the kids Rick looked after.

“His legacy will live on in the charity that he set up with others, and his legacy will live on in his wonderful wife and his four beautiful children who themselves are great contributors to our community.”

Dr Freelander encouraged those who were able to, to make a donation to the foundation in Dr Dunstan’s name.