Second paediatric cardiologist recruitment begins for Cairns

Recruitment for a second paediatric cardiologist for Cairns will begin immediately after the state government announced a $1.35m expansion to the region’s critical health service.

A second paediatric cardiologist will be hired to help treat Far North kids, in a crucial win for families who have been tirelessly campaigning for expanded heart care services in the region. Violet Catalano, 4, pictured with her father Adam Catalano, mother Tegan Catalano, and sister Marli Catalano, 2 at their Malanda home. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns is getting a second paediatric cardiologist to help treat Far North kids with heart conditions, a crucial win for families who have been tirelessly campaigning for expanded heart care services in the region.

The Crisafulli Government has allocated $1.45 million to expand capacity at the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service and support essential lifesaving services for the region.

Hiring of the additional specialist will begin immediately, along with a multidisciplinary team of health workers – a clinical nurse consultant, cardiac sonographer, psychologist and social worker.

Tegan Catalano, whose four year old daughter Violet Catalano was born with a rare and life-threatening congenital heart condition said she “ugly” cried when we heard the news.

“We’re so grateful for this, it’s a vital service for many children and it’s just wonderful that we are going to have more regional support for our kids,” she said.

“I hope this comes as a relief to Dr Ben.”

Four year old Violet Catalano mother, Tegan Catalano, is pushing for better pediatric cardiac care in Far North Queensland, with only one pediatric cardiologist based in Cairns, and wait times for children stretching out to more than 18 months. Picture: Brendan Radke

Juliana O’Neill was fighting for a second paediatric cardiologist for Cairns as her son, Levi O'Neill (on dads shoulders) continues to require ongoing care and surgery for his heart condition. Picture: Supplied.

Until now, a single children’s cardiologist, Dr Benjamin Reeves, was servicing all Far North Queensland - an area roughly 1.5 times the size of Victoria.

He also was the sole specialist for remote communities across Cape York and Torres Strait, while also conducting outreach clinics.

Wait times for families recently blew out to more than 18 months for his services in Cairns.

Ms Catalano said she appreciated help from State Member for Barron River, Bree James, Queensland Health Minister as HeartKids Australia for taking action.

“Thank you to Shane Knuth and everyone else that voiced their concern on behalf of families in the region,” she said.

The Heart House building at 12 Grove Street, located near the Cairns Hospital in Cairns North. The building houses Heart RX cardiology clinic, employing the one specialist cardiologist who cares for all cardiac patients in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

The severe strain on paediatric cardiology in the region highlights the broader challenge regional areas face in providing patients with access to specialist care.

It comes as part of the Cairns Post’s Critical Condition campaign which, earlier this year,revealed breast cancer diagnoses were being delayed by up to four months due to a shutdown in mammography services; several families have since shared their experiences with paediatric cardiology to highlight the ongoing strain on regional healthcare.

The state’s Health Minister Tim Nicholls said there had been an “obvious need” for more paediatric cardiology services in the region.

“We’re listening to our hardworking clinicians and teams on the ground to deliver easier access to health services in regional Queensland,” he said.

Bentley Park toddler Colton Hughes-Hodges with his mum Keely Gear was born with the heart defect Tetralogy of Fallot leaving a hole in his heart along with narrow valves and arteries. Picture: Brendan Radke

The announcement is a significant victory for families who shared their stories advocating for an end to life-threatening delays.

Juliana O’Neill’s said her four-year-old son, Levi, has been frequently flown to Brisbane or Townsville for treatment, especially when Dr Reeves is unavailable.

“The work he does in outreach is so important, but could a specialist be flown up here to take over his workload while he’s on outreach?” Ms O’Neill said.

Levi O'Neill as a newborn on his way to Brisbane from Cairns for heart treatment. Picture: Supplied.

Juliana O’Neill is fighting for a second paediatric cardiologist for Cairns as her son continues to require ongoing care and surgery for his heart condition. Picture: Supplied.

Similarly, Keely Gear, 23, and her partner faced delays affecting their two-year-old son Colton, who was born with complex congenital cardiac defects and underwent major heart surgery at five-months-old.

“Our appointment was delayed, and it’s terrifying, because Colton’s condition can deteriorate very quickly,” she said.

She said it’s unfair kids have to get really sick before they get heart care.

“Just because that’s all the system has capacity for,” Ms Gear said.

“If we had another paediatric cardiologist in Cairns, these delays might never happen.”

Families praised paediatric cardiologist Dr Ben Reeves but said he was only one person. Picture: Stewart McLean

In 2024, nearly 700 paediatric cardiology services were delivered at Cairns Hospital, highlighting both the demand and the strain on the region's resources.

More than 250 children were on the waitlist for heart care, with wait times exceeding 300 days, ten children were in the most urgent category, facing an average wait time of almost 15 days.

National charity like HeartKids and the Australian Medical Association Queensland joined the calls for a second kids cardiologist.

AMAQ president Nick Yim said one heart doctor covering Far North Queensland was unsustainable.

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said his department is getting on with the job of expanding the Cairns Hospital, to deliver more beds and more services for the community. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Nicholls applauded the hospital and health service for its “calm and methodical planning”.

“Along with collaboration with the Torres and Cape (Hospital and Health Service), funds have now been provisioned to expand paediatric cardiology in Far North Queensland,” he said.

The expanded services will focus on rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease, the major contributors to patient demand for paediatric cardiology in the region.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh said the additional resources would enhance heart care services for children. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh said the additional resources would enhance heart care services for children.

“The additional workforce will strengthen existing treatment services, including integrated complex patient support, multidisciplinary RHD clinics, and a therapeutic injection clinic for children,” she said.

Member for Barron River Bree James said she had been fighting for new and expanded services in the Far North.

“This announcement will make a lasting difference and will be greatly welcomed by many families in our community,” she said.

The additional roles come alongside the broader Cairns Hospital Expansion, set to deliver 64 new overnight beds by 2027, 40 new overnight beds at a new surgical centre, expanded services and a new multistorey car park.

“We’re getting on with the job of expanding the Cairns Hospital,” Mr Nicholls said.

Originally published as Second paediatric cardiologist recruitment begins for Cairns