Meet Dr Stanley Leong
Discover the journey, philosophy, and passion behind Paediatric Specialist and Skin. Learn about our commitment to integrated, individualised care for your child.
Why become a paediatrician?
Paediatrics is deeply rooted in preventative medicine, developmental optimization, and chronic disease mitigation. When a paediatrician successfully manages asthma, eczema, a growth concern or a behavioural issue, the positive outcome is an adult who doesn't require intensive medical intervention. Society and funding models historically struggle to financially reward the absence of a crisis.
There is an implicit bias that because children are smaller, their care is simpler or less intense. This ignores the immense pharmacological, developmental, and communication complexities unique to treating patients who cannot articulate their symptoms.
Paediatricians do not just treat a patient; they manage a family unit. A standard consult requires navigating parental anxiety, consent, and family dynamics alongside clinical care. Because these soft skills and emotional labour are difficult to quantify, they are frequently undervalued by procedural or adult-focused specialties.
His journey into paediatric care
Dr Stanley Leong is a Christchurch-based consultant specialist paediatrician with substantial additional training and experience in paediatric dermatology. He provides specialist care for babies, children and adolescents with skin conditions, while also offering specialist assessment and management of general and neonatal paediatrics, allergy, developmental and behavioural concerns.
Dr Leong has developed a particular passion for paediatric dermatology throughout his specialist training. Alongside his paediatric training, he has spent several years working in the field of paediatric dermatology, including working as a Dermatology Registrar at Christchurch Hospital, where he managed complex dermatological conditions, attended paediatric dermatology and regional outreach clinics and provided inpatient dermatology consults. He is trained in minor skin procedures such as skin biopsy, lesion removal, cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) and patch testing. He subsequently took on the role as the Paediatric Dermatology Consult Liaison at Christchurch Hospital for a few years, running paediatric dermatology clinics and managing children with complex and uncommon skin disorders. During his fellowship year, he provided paediatric dermatology input and oversight for complex skin cases across the Nelson Marlborough region.
Paediatric dermatology is a highly specialised area, and access to dedicated paediatric dermatology services can be limited in New Zealand. Dr Leong established Paediatric Specialist and Skin to provide children and families in Christchurch and beyond with access to specialist paediatric care, with a particular focus on skin health.
His experience encompasses a broad range of childhood skin conditions, from common problems such as eczema, birthmarks, acne and infections to more complex inflammatory genetic blistering and rare skin disorders. His particular interest is in helping families who may have struggled with persistent or difficult-to-diagnose skin problems and providing a clear diagnosis and practical, individualised treatment plan.
Alongside paediatric dermatology assessment, Dr Leong provides comprehensive paediatric assessment and care, including general paediatrics, neonatal, allergies, developmental and behavioural concerns, ADHS, autism, developmental delay and other chronic or complex childhood health issues. His broad paediatric specialist training includes experience across neonatal intensive care, paediatric acute care, emergency medicine, neurology, respiratory medicine, haematology and oncology, general paediatrics, allergy and community child health.
His approach combines subspecialty depth with a broad clinical scope, allowing families and referring doctors to access comprehensive, coordinated care within a single setting.
His unique approach to patient care
Dr Leong's practice is built on the principle that high-quality paediatric specialist care requires both depth of expertise and clinical precision. Children presenting with skin conditions, allergies, and developmental concerns often have overlapping and multifaceted needs. Addressing these effectively requires a considered, integrated approach—rather than fragmented, symptom-based care.
He places particular emphasis on accurate diagnosis and early optimisation of management. Consultations are intentionally thorough, allowing time to understand each child’s clinical history, contributing factors, and family context. This enables the development of targeted, family-centred, evidence-based care plans tailored to each child's clinical needs..
He understands that seeing a specialist can be daunting for children and parents, and aims to create a relaxed environment where families feel listened to, their concerns are taken seriously, and they leave with a clear understanding of their child's condition and what to do next.
His practice is defined by three core standards:
- Clinical clarity – precise assessment and clear, structured management plans
- Continuity of care – consistent follow-up and ongoing management
- Collaborative practice – responsive communication with referring GPs and coordinated care with allied health professionals
Dr Leong is also actively involved in medical education and research. He is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer with the University of Otago, contributes to postgraduate medical education and has developed paediatric dermatology teaching resources for medical students. He has presented at national and international paediatric and dermatology conferences and has published in the field of paediatric dermatology.
He maintains active engagement with international paediatric dermatology societies to ensure alignment with current global standards and emerging evidence. This commitment supports a level of care that is both contemporary and clinically rigorous.
His goal is simple: to provide children with specialist paediatric care that is knowledgeable, compassionate and practical - and to help families feel confident about their child's health and skin.
Highlights
- Experienced in managing complex paediatric skin conditions, including challenging cases that have been difficult to manage
- Lecturer and examiner for Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatrics (University of Otago)
- Extensively published in paediatric dermatology, with recognised scholar status in an international dermatology society (2025)
- Active member of multiple international paediatric dermatology societies
- Care informed by current global evidence and best practice
Beyond the clinic: values and life
Stanley is a big believer that good care starts with good conversations—so questions are always welcome (and encouraged). Alongside his private practice, he also works in Neonatal Intensive Care at Christchurch Women Hospital. Furthermore, he is also a locum paediatrician in a number of rural hospitals, supporting children and families in areas where paediatric services can be a little harder to access. It keeps him adaptable, grounded, and constantly learning.
Outside of work, life is happily kept a little chaotic by his Golden Retriever, Mickey—who is convinced that everyone he meets is his new best friend. When Stanley is not being outvoted by Mickey, he and his partner enjoy arts, getting outdoors, travelling, and making the most of simple family time.