Hundreds of patient tributes for popular doctor Tom Wright

A popular Far Northern doctor’s gentle and caring impact was so powerful it’s left the entire region grieving. Read his patients’ touching stories and tributes here.

THE Far North is collectively mourning a caring and gentle staple in the region’s medical community whose unexpected death came as great shock to stunned patients and friends of the doctor.

Long-serving obstetrician Dr Tom Wright died on Monday, aged 70, after more than 30 years of public and private service, delivering thousands of babies.

His knowledge, talent, and passion for his work touched the hearts of everyone who met him, from doctors he took under his wing, to patients he cared for during the most stressful time of their lives.

He recently spoke of how he felt privileged to deliver babies in the 1990s who then grew up to have their own babies delivered by him as well – such was his reach and impact, multiple generations from the same family would turn to him and trust him with their most precious gift.

But it was those precious moments over the past two days that “really hit home” for one of Dr Wright’s dearest friends and colleague – Dr Tim Warnock.

Cairns obstetrician Dr Tom Wright with two of his closest friends and colleagues – Dr Dr Natalie Kiesey-Calding and Dr Tim Warnock.

“I was stunned, but it really only kicked in today (Wednesday) as we’re seeing babies being delivered that he would’ve delivered,” Dr Warnock said.

He said he hadn’t had the chance to truly process his colleague’s death until he read just some of the hundreds of comments Cairns Post readers shared online.

“That really tells the story of how many people adored him.

“I worked with him for 31 years, he was an exceptional person. Very rarely angry or upset, and an all-round good person.”

The grief felt by the Far North has been widespread with hundreds of tributes being shared for Dr Wright online with some mums sharing touching personal stories.

Caravonica mum of three Tara-Lee Henry named her third born in Dr Wright’s honour – Thomas Henry, now 1.

“During my second pregnancy I experienced a stroke on my arrival to my obstetrician appointment, Dr Wright immediately identified the urgency of my situation rushing me to the hospital in his vehicle which ultimately resulted in the diagnosis and treatment of my stroke,” she said.

“Had that appointment not been scheduled by Dr Wright that day, my daughter and I would likely not be here today. We certainly would not have gone on to have our third child.

“He was so much more than an obstetrician to our family, he was my saviour when I experienced my stroke and I will forever be grateful to him.

“We named our youngest son Thomas for Dr Wright and I will always cherish my memory of asking Dr Wright ‘I hope you don’t mind sharing your name’, he was pretty chuffed and made sure all the nurse knew this news on the ward. My children will grow up knowing all that Dr Wright did for our family and his memory will live on in the stories that we tell our children.”

Another mum – Leah Thomas said she had plans to make an appointment with Dr Wright just this week.

“I first met Dr Wright about 10 years ago for gynaecology reasons, he was kind, gentle and reassuring right from the start. He performed two operations on me over a span of a few years and had such a quirky and fun bedside manner.

“He was then my obstetrician for both of my children, and again so gentle and kind throughout the whole process always making you feel safe and well cared for. I have continued to see him up until only a few months ago and was planning on making a call this week to book my next appointment.

“I was very saddened by the news of his passing as in this industry you do become attached to those who help you and make you feel comfortable and safe. He will be very missed.”

Former Cairns, now Ingham mum Amylee Deicke met Dr Wright in 2015 when she was pregnant with her first born son.

“He was such an amazing doctor and my husband Ben and I always looked forward to our appointments when we would be entertained by his quirky, dry sense of humour.

“At 28 weeks my waters broke unexpectedly and I was rushed to Townsville Hospital, when Dr Wright was notified he called and assured me everything would be all right and three days later I gave birth to our son Korbin.

“The fact that he was still a part of my pregnancy and helping me through one of the toughest times will never be forgotten.

“To us he will always be remembered as a brilliant Dr with a quirky sense of humour and a caring and gentle soul.”

Originally published as Hundreds of patient tributes for popular doctor Tom Wright